MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 1 August 1933, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S., for “The Daily Times.”) MARSDEN REO TIKA (MAN OF HIS WORD). Marsden, first and last great educator of the primitive Maori, had a wild time from what he called the “irregular four-cornered influence,” these were the Governor of N.S.W. who was then Administrator of this “Dependency,” the British Government, New Zealand provincial influence, and the contending Maori Chiefs. All four at variance, Marsden’s home was near Sydney. Hongi his greatest admirer and protector. in New Zealand, gave him little peace. Hongi’s cruel slaughter of enemy tribes caused Marsden and his missioners much anxious thought. In 1821 Macquarie, Governor of N.S.W., accused Marsden of profiteering in the sale of sly grog at Paramatta in that Colony, and struck his name off the list of Justices of the Peace. A British commission found there was not a particle of truth in Macquarie’s base charges. He was removed from office, and Marsden’s name restored to the Commission of the Peace, he was handsomely commended, and his salary raised. The new Governor became the faithful ally of the Colonial Chaplain in N.S.W., and Director of the great mission in N/K. The annual reports of his missioners were entirely free from exaggeration, sensation, or.egotism; but they show a complete want of method in the practical things upon which the comfort, peace, and economy of a new settlement must depend for its success. Unfortunately Marsden was educated in a city. In his otherwise excellent report to the Mission Society, he advised that a carpenter, a blacksmith, and a flax spinner be sent out; but never a though of a farmer or farm labourer. He thought anyone could farm, and even to-day the same idea prevails in regard to the education of 100,000 eligible boys in our schools. The very cows supplied to the mission were as wild as mountain goats. Despite these grave physical defects, the minds of the Maoris were being fed with wholesome material, and .tlieir really fine mental and moral capacity was being demonstrated on a small scale by the good influence.