MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 July 1936, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J. 11.5. for “The Daily Times.”) ATTEMPTS TO COLONISE. How few of us know the origin of the name Lambton Quay in our chief city. The colonisation of this Dominion was mainly due to the repeated efforts and influence of John Lambton, first Earl of Durham. His first attempt in 1825 failed. It was then considered hopeless because on each occasion when it was proposed the answer was: “AVho would migrate to a country of cannibals?” In 1836 the House of Commons was enquiring into the question) of eligible fields for emigration and settling waste lands in distant countries. New Zealand was incidentally but with hesitation mentioned. In 1837 the N.Z. Association was formed with Francis Baring as chairman and Lord Durham (John Lambton) as deputy. The objective was systematic settlement in place of the irregular colonising then going on, to sell on behalf of the native owners at £1 per acre in place of a few worthless baubles per square mile, and to protect the Alaori people from “our rascality.” The Secretary of State raised a peculiar legal objection, namely, that as the Company was not trading for profit, a charter could not be issued! As they had excluded all private gain, the Company refused this boon of' prospective fortune. Air Baring changed the scene, and introduced a bill to establish British settlement under provincial governments of sixteen Commissioners. This was openly flouted, and described by Lord Ho wick as “monstrous.” It was thrown out by a large majority. In this) matter the British Government was then being guided by the Alissionaries. A deputation from the N.Z. Association waited on the famous Duke of AVellington and Air Dandeson Coates, Secretary of the Church Alission, whose name was also made famous when it was conferred upon Te Ivooti (pronounced Koh tee). Air Coates said he was against settlement in N.Z. in any form, and would thwart the Association by every means in his power. It was even industriously whispered against him that he desired to create a Alissionary Paradise; but with this libel we will deal in the next Memory.