CANTERBURY IN 1851.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17188, 3 November 1923, Page 12

CANTERBURY IN 1851.

A VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS.

“A SPRING IN THE CANTERBURY SETTLEMENT.’

A very rare old book, “ A Spring in the Canterbury Settlement.” has been lent to ‘‘The Star” by Mr Arthur T. Eaton, of Christchurch, who obtained it from his grandmother. It was published in London in 1553 by Mr C. Warren Adams, as an account of his sojourn in the Canterbury Settlement, at the end of a sea voyage in the ship Canterbury in 1851. taken for health reasons. The story will be published in weekly instalments, with occasional plates.

CHAPTER VII r. THE MAOIUES. After an agreeable sojourn of lomo weeks with my hospitable host at the Motunaa station. I returned by the way I came as far as Rangiora, where 1 crossed trio vVai-M akarirt by ferry at ! Kaiaix>i, for the purpose of paying a visit to a Maori paa or village at that place. It is distant about live miles from Rangiora and about twenty from Christchurch; and is the only remaining village of any extent in the settlement belonging to the natives* Some years ago -when the chief of the Northern Island made a descent upon the inlmbtants of this part of New Zealand, there was a fearful massacre at this place. A young Maori with whom I conversed during my brief stav in the paa. was a child at the time, and beheld his lather and mother slain and eaten by the Northern islanders. The surviving natives, not only of this place, but indeed of the whole island, were reduced to subjection by the invaders; and report states that it was used as a kind of preserve for the supply of human food to the northern Cannibals. The village contains about eight hundred inhabitants, but there is nothing remarkable in it. It consists of a number of small huts, each possessing a piece of enclosed ground or garden; the Maories live principally upon vegetables and wild pork. The race is rapidly wearing out. and will in a few years become extinct. This is a painful reflection, for they arc a noble race of men. They « r e for the most part tall and well proportioned. Their skin is of a rich dusky copper colour, and the tattooing with which they are covered, though at first sight unwelcome to a European eye, is often executed with considerable taste and skill, and soon ceases to be displeasing. They are harmless and friendly; they never meet you without a passing “ tenaqui” (how dye do), and are delighted when an opportunity- offers of shaking hands with an Englishman. They are a faithful and affectionate race, and notwithstanding their intercourse with white men their honesty is still proverbial. Undoubtedly we have taught them to drive bargains, and European cunning grafted upon their own shrewd and intelligent nature has rendered them difficult to deal with; but a bargain once concluded, they will scrupulously fulfil it at any sacrifice. I obtained an interesting anecdote of their affectionate attachment to to those who treat them kindly from an old setler at Christchurch. His daughter had been in the habit of performing little kindnesses to the neighbouring Maories, had won greatly on their affection, and was called by them - The 'White Rose.’’ Tn the

depth of a severe- winter she was attacked by illness, and serious apprehensions were entertained for her life. The faithful Maories were constant in their inquiries after her; and at length heard that she bad expressed a wish for some fish. The fishing seareach the- fishing-ground was a matter of difficulty and danger. A boat was, nevertheless, immediately manned and sent out; and having, with much diffi- , cuity, obtained a small supply of fish, they set out on their return borne. They bad scarcely left the fishingground when a heavy gale of wind ! blew them out to sea ; and it was not until after fighting for three days against the storm that they reached Port Lyttelton in a state of exhaustion from fatigue and hunger. Yet the fish, though to their appetites fit for food in its uncooked state, had j remained untouched, throughout the whole of the heavy storm. It, had been procured for the “ White Rose,’’ and for her use it was preserved. I n fortunately, before the arrival in port the fish became tainted; but. undaunted by this failure. they once more proceeded to the . fishing ground, and this time succeeded in reaching home with their affectionate offering. The origin of the Maories is enveloped in mystery. It is evident that they were not originally natives of the soil'. All their traditions point to a warmer and more fertile climate; and the Kanakas (the natives of the Sandwich Islands) still call them brothers. The most probable theory is that they are descendants of a few wanderers from some islands of the Pacific. The language, as far as I could venture to judge from similarity of sound during a very brief stay in Honolulu, the capital of the Sandwich Islands, is also very like the language of the natives of that place. T noticed several words in both languages, such as kahaori” (no) and “ tenaqui ” (how do you do), that are identical both in sound and meaning. The language is rich, and by no means unpleasing; and as is the case with all savage nations, is eked out by an abundance of gesticulation, i They have a considerable appreciation j of fun and drollery. Their deep devotion to the apostle of modern days Bishop Selwyn, is not the least noble trait in their character. Tt is impossible to speak too strongly of the attachment and submission of the M.aories t-o him. or of the wonderful manner in which he exercises the power he has so deservedly attained. In the middle Island the natives have almost universally embraced the Christian faith, and now indignantly deny the imputation of cannibalism. They are following in this respect the example of their brethren of the Sandwich Islands. T asked a Kanaka if lie ever eat man’s flesh. No,” he replied

with energy, ii Kanaka no cat mail now Kanaka, Christian.’’ in the Canterbury settlement cannabilism is of course entirelv at an end. though it is said that one old chief is still living at .Pigeon Bay, who fondly hopes once again to indulge his youtful taste in this respect, though there is little chance iu the present state of society