Pen and Ink Portraits

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 58, 22 October 1881, Page 88

Pen and Ink Portraits

jSTo. 29. — Mr Robert Graham. " The web of our life is of a tangled yarn, Good and ill together." ]S T o man's life is entirely devoid of interest to his fellows, and the lives of many of our early colonists arc full of romantic incidents. They contain the records of numerous trials, struggles, vicissitudes, failures, and triumphs, that are full of instruction for the present generation of colonists, and it is for this reason that we have lately devoted :i considerable portion of our space to biographies of " old identities." There are few, if any among these, whose career has been more active, eventful, or useful than that of Mr Robert Graham, the subject of our present memoir. Gritted with great talents and strength of mind, natural courage and determination, with a powerful constilution and capacity for physical endurance, he possessed all the requisites of a good colonist. He was born in the year IS2O, near Glasgow, Scotland, and was the third son in n family of thirteen. His father was a farmer, and owner of coal mines. He was generally selected as one of the judges at the periodical cattle shows, and chairman at dinners, and was distinguished forhis energy and usefulness. He trained his children to habits of industry in order to /It them for success in life, though his circumstances rendered them independent of work. Robert was entrusted with the superintendence of a shave of the business. On the occasion of a strike amongst the colliers he attempted to descend the pit, but some of the strands of the rope having been treacherously cut lie fell a distance of 108 ft, and was only saved from death by his knees going through the bottom of the box, and the rope coiling round him, but he sustained injuries to his back -which confined him to his bed for six weeks. On his recovery he entered a wholesale warehouse, where he remained for six years and acquired a knowledge of business. Being attracted by the glowing reports from ISTcw Zealand, he decided to push his fortunes in this distant quarter of the world, hoping to return home in five years with a competency for life, and on the 18th June, 1842, he left G-'rcenock in the ship Jane G-ifford, Captain Paul, for New Zealand, the Duchess of Argyle ] wiving sailed about a week earlier for the same destination. These ships Avere the first that brought immigrants direct to Auckland. Mr Graham's fellow cabin passengers were, Mr and Mrs Donnelly, Mr and Miss Adams, Messrs Webster and Mitchell, and Dr Shipton, the total number of souls on board being 285. The only noteworthy events of the voyage were a quarrel between Mr Donnelly and Mr Shipton, arising out of marital jealousy and something like insanity on the part of the former, which, at one stage, threatened to result tragically; a small mutiny by a section of the crew which was promptly 'suppressed ; and Mr Graham's distinguishing himself as the champion shot and draught player. Both vessels reached Auckland on October 9th, 1842, but the Duchess of Argyle struck on a sandbank off Rangitoto, and was consequently beaten by the Jane Gifford. In the diary in' which Mr Graham records his observations, he remarks that he noticed one grog shop in Auckland for every other business house there. He chartered a new cutter, the Black Hawk, owned by Mr Brandon, and loaded her with goods for the Bay of Islands, but, having got as far as Mongonui and tacked about for ten days, through being unprovided with a proper chart, it was decided to return to Auckland, bnt in doing so they ran, by accident, into the very destination for which they were bound. At Ivororareka he met his brother, who had come out to the colony before him, and they started in business as R. and D. Graham. Mr R. Graham afterwards made a trip to Sydney, bought goods and opened a business in Auckland, but after a time it was arranged that he should change places with his brother and take charge of the Bay of Islands branch. Warned by Hone Heke of impending war, Mr R. Graham chartered a schooner and removed his goods to Auckland, just in time to escape the pillage of Kororareka by the natives. In 1850 the partnership between the brothers was dissolved and Mr R. Graham paid a visit to California, returning to Auckland, producing a crop of 90 acres of potatoes, and making a second trip to the new El Dorado. On the passage it was

discovered that the cargo was spoiled by heat, and the vessel went into Tahiti, and was loaded, with oranges, which sold well at 'Frisco. Having lived three years in California, he once more returned to Auckland, and devoted himself to the improvement of his property at Ellerslie, importing cattle, sheep, deer, hares, quail, and other animals and birds, and tui'iiing his attention for some years to the breeding of high-class stock, which won many prizes at the exhibitions. He next purchased the island of Motutapu, put 1200 acres under grass in one year, and stocked the property with first-class sheep. The passage between Motutapu and Auckland Avas often attended with great danger. On one occasion the small boat, was driven into Tamaki Heads by a head Avind, Mr Graham keeping the waves from swamping the boat by holding his macintosh over her stern. His next venture was to purchase the Lamb Hill Estate, near Waiuku, which he drained and fenced, laid down in grass, and stocked. In 1844 he had become impressed with the picturesque beauties and sanitary virtue's of Waiwera, purchased the property and the hot springs from the chief Te Heinara, got the Government right of pre-emption waived, and spent a large sum of money in improvements. However, he had to pay a second time for the property, and to acquire a title direct from the Government. About that time the Ngapuhi tribes threatened a hostile descent on the town of Auckland, and defensive works were thrown up at Point Britomart. Mr Graham's companion Avas Mr Bartley, for many years Speaker of the House of "Representatives. The alarm among the Europeans was so great that many of them petitioned Sir G-eorge Grey to provide a A'essel to remove them from the Colony. In the general panic the man whom Mr Graham had placed in charge of the "Waiwcra, buried the furniture and goods in the sand, and fled to Auckland. The place was afterwards leased to Mr John Anderson for about 8 years, but the house having been destroyed by fire he abandoned the pnmerty. Mr Graham then built the existing fine and commodious structure, spent large sums in improvements, and in the course of. years made it what it now is— one of the most picturesque spots in the Colony. He relates many almost miraculous cures effected by the medicinal springs, some of which are described in his interesting guide to Waiwera. When representative institutions wore conferred upon the Colony lie became a member of the first Parliament. From the outset he took a deep interest in the welfare of the native race, and upon the introduction of Responsible Government he moved a resolution in the House in favour of the appointment of a Native Council of Eui'opeans, irremovable by changes of Ministry, to advise the Governor in till matters affecting the Maori people, and he has ever since regretted that his plan was rejected, as it would have prevented many of the misunderstandings that have arisen between the two races, and the serious evils that have resulted therefrom. When the natives stole a quantity of gunpowder from the Great Barrier, and removed it to Coromandel, and refused to surrender it, Mr Graham, while dining with Governor Brown, strongly advised him to teach the Maoris a salutary lesson, in which lie was sure to luwe the sympathy of the other tribes, who were jealous and alarmed at a rival tribe possessing such a quantity of Avarlike material. The Governor was averse to unsheathing the sword, but Mr Graham pointed out that should hostilities arise out of land disputes, the majority of the tribes would unite against the Europeans. The ■prediction was soon afterwards fulfilled in the Taranaki Avar, which Mr Graham condemned, and still regards as an impruden t step. In 1856 he was one of the four Auckland members Avho unsuccessfully resisted the Land Fund Compact, which inflicted so much injustice upon the North. He also strenuously apposed the removal of the Seat of Government to Wellington. He was on board the White Swan whim she was wrecked on her way to Wellington, and many of the official records of the Colony were lost. In the general confusion he contributed mainly toward* the saving of the crew and passengers by converting broom - handles into thole-pins, and volunteering Avith three of the sailors to find a landing-place, in which they were successful. He then Avent Avith Mr Duncan in search of assistance, fording streams, and encountering other dangers in soA*ere frosty weather. Coming to a river Avhcre the bridge had been carried aAvay by a ilood, he saved a detour of 25 miles by getting the natives to fell a tree across the stream. Reaching Wellington, after many perils, he induced Dr Featherstone, the Superintendent, to despatch a steamer to the wreck, for Avhich Mr Graham received the heartfelt" thanks of the crew and passengers. Returning to Auckland in the Lord Worsley with Captain Vine Hall, Manager of the Panama Co., the steamer went ashore on the rocks at Te Ifainu, which Avas then inhabited by bloodthirsty and fanatical natives. The steamer and all on board were saved from immediate destruction by a miracle. She ran into a small cove, the only shelter for a distance of 100 miles. Twenty feet either way would have proved fatal. On landing, Mr Graham met the chief William King, who was friendly. They landed provisions and luggage, while Capt. Bowdon Avent in a boat to NeAV Plymouth to secure succour. Capt. Vine Hall was prostrated Avitli sickness, and the command devolved on Mr Graham, to Avhose extraordinary coolness, courage, and tact the people owed their lives. The natives flocked to the wreck, made the Europeans prisoners, and on the fifth day at 2 o'clock in the morning a Maori boy Avarned Mr Graham and Capt. Bufclei 1 that the natives had resolved to tomahawk the crew and passengers. Mr Graham, Avith characteristic courage, Aveut out to the natives, Avho Avere assembled around a large fire, and told them that the Europeans had been throAvn into then- power by the perils of the sea, that they Avere defenceless and innocent, and that their murder Avould be revenged by soldiers and men-of-Avar. Eruera (the now famous Te Whiti) protested against the proposed massacre, and left the meeting. The knoAvledge of the danger Avas confined to Mr Graham, Capt. Hall, and Capt. Butler, lost -the crew and passengers should be seized Avith panic; and perhaps precipitate their oavii deaths. Next day Mr Graham had another intervioAv, lasting for two hours, with 60 of the natives in a large whare, and after much persuasion they consented to allow the Europeans

to proceed to New Plymouth ; but Te Heuheu rushing about flourishing a tomahawk, and had to be overpowered and bound by his own people to prevent murder. Whilst in this condition he pretended to have a vision to the effect that God had empowered him to overcome any number of men by merely raising his hand, and this was the origin ■of the Hauhau fanaticism. The natives next ordered the Europeans to give tip their firearms and ammunition, and by the advice of Mr Graham the demand was complied with. The Maoris were, however, much incensed on finding a number of weapons which hud been hidden in the coal on board the steamer by an officer of the East India Company, but Mr Graham regained kis pacificatory influence by satisfying the Maoris that he had not been pi-ivy to the concealment, though he refused to tell the name of the officer, who would certainly have been killed had he done so. Next morning the Europeans were released, and, with feelings of gratitude to God for their deliverance, proceeded on their way. The natives had, however, discovered a safe containing £6000 worth of gold - dust on board the steamer, and were with the greatest difficulty prevented from rifling its contents. When he was ten miles on his journey a native overtook Mr Graham and informed him that the safe had been pillaged. He immediately returned, found the gold in William King's whare, the door of which was secured with a padlock, broke open the door in the presence of that redoubtable savage, and at the imminent danger of his life got the two boxes on his horse, and, taking no notice of the alarm raised by the chief, proceeded on his journey. Finding the burden two heavy, he hid it in the fern, and after being heavily blackmailed at the different settlements, the party, numbering about 60, reached New Plymouth in safety. Having consulted with Mr Brown, Superintendent of Taranaki, Mr •Graham set out to recover the gold, accompanied t>y a chief named Boberangi and a Haubau. After getting to the place Bob was afraid and deserted, but Mr Graham, with the Hauhau, found the precious boxes. This native was rescued from drowning by Mr Graham, and was thereafter duly grateful. On reaching a stream a native seized Mr Graham's bridle and demanded what was in the box, upon which he was informed that it contained nothing of value. Persisting in his desire, Mr Graham offered to sell it for £6, which appeared to dispel suspicion. A sovereign being slipped into his hand, he released the bridle, and though the natives called out to Mr Graham to stop, by the advice of his Hauhau guide he rode into the stream, which was so cold that the natives did not pursue them. At another sandy beach a native nourished a tomahawk round Mr Graham's head, remarking that he had now an opportunity of gratifying the ambition which he had so long felt of killing a European. Mr Graham merely laughed at him, and, Avhen the native asked : " How is it that you are not afraid when I could kill you in a moment?" replied, "Your arm is not strong enough to kill me. Why do you waste time here when you can get abundance of goods at the wreck ?" The native then released the bridle, and they resumed their journey. At a third place, where they encountered a native called William King and 40 of his followers, that amiable chief coolly felicitated himself on the chance of taking revenge for a broken arm, which he had received in a fight with the Europeans, but he turned out to be a former workman of Mr Grahams. However, when the latter pretended to sleep with his head close to the boxes, the natives removed them to the bush, but on his demanding their return the chief ordered the natives to comply, and they laid them at his feet. Having encountered many other dangers Mr Graham and his Hauhau companion reached the auJcaii'in safety, where they were met by the Superintendent and Colonel Warre. The latter and his officers gave Mr Graham a complimentary dinner, at which the colonel praised his tact and courage, and said that if lie had a thousand men like him he would inarch through New Zealand. Mr Graham also received numerous letters of thanks, and a testimonial of £1000 from the English insurance companies which held risks on the gold. On his return to Auckland, and on the resignation of the superintendency by Mr John Williamson, Mr Graham became a candidate, but having been a jiolitical opponent of Mr Williamson's the latter changed Ms mind, and a contest resulted, which ended in Mr Graham's election by a majority of over 500 votes. He held office for three years, during which he secured the building of the Supreme Court and Post-oiFice, Asylum, and Panmure bridge, commenced the Waikato railway, prospected and purchased for Government the Kawakawa coal mines, and executed many other important undertakings. In 1872 he went home to visit his aged mother, who, however, passed away before he reached England. Anthony Trollopc and his wife were fellow passengers. Having spent a winter at home, Mr Graham returned to the colony by the ship Hydaspes. He laid out the Ellerslie gardens, adjoining where he had previously made the racecourse, which he sold after it had remained in his hands for some years, to the Jockey Club. He also planted at a cost of £1000 a beautiful site for a cemetery, but a Bill for the purpose of establishing the new public cemetery being thrown out by the Lords, principally owing to the factious opposition of an Auckland member, after it had passed the House of Representatives, the project was dropped, and the land was cut up into allotments and sold. In 1878 on his return from a trij) to Rotor ua, he was induced to use Ids influence as a peacemaker between two hostile tribes at Maketu who were going to Avar over a land dispute, and he succeeded after much delicate negotiation in inducing them to submit their differences to the decision of the Land Court. The Rotorua chiefs exhibited their gratitude by pressing upon his acceptance a valuable block of land at Koutu Te Kawaha, upon which they placed him with great ceremony, handing over a title in perpetuity. He built a house on the ground, and has since remained in possession, but the Government placed a proclamation over the block, and lie was fined for continuing in occupation, but on appeal the conviction was quashed. In 1868 he formed the toAvnship at the Thames which is named after him, formed streets, built houses, and was partly instrumental in opening a short line of railway from Tararu to Grahams-

stown, one of the first, if not the earliest railway constructed in the Colony. In the month of July this year he met Rewi at tlic Ponui by invitation, discussed the relations between the two races, urged the natives to abandon their isolation, and give up their arms, and prepared the way for the subsequent events connected Avith the Maori King's tour in the Waikato. When the Royal Princes were expected to visit Rotorua Mr Graham made extensive preparations for their suitable reception. After a life of active xisef ulness lie has no desire to again engage in politics, unless his long and intimate experience of native affairs could be utilised in the direction of maintaining the peace and promoting the prosperity of the Colony. As to the policy to be pursued on the West Coast his emphathic opinion is that if a collision cannot bo avoided, the Government ought not to make the dispxttes about land a casus belli', but the capture of the murderers, -which might be accompanied without much difficulty, and would not excite the general suspicion and" hostility of other tribes. One of the last ambitions of Mr Graham's eventful and stirring life is to so improve his estate at Wairake (Taupo) as to convert a wilderness into a garden, and stimulate the natives to peaceful cultivation and industry by the example. He also purposes, if spared until the fortieth anniversary of the arrival of the Jane Gifford (Bfch October, 1882) to get up a social reunion of his fellow passengers. We ought not to conclude this biography without awarding a meed of praise to his sister Miss Graham, to whose industry, tact in management, ladylike virtues, and many cultivated accomplishments the popularity of the Wairwera Sanatorium is principally attributable.