MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 1 August 1936, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.”) HOW TROUBLES AROSE. Probably because of tho good influence exercised by some few men of personality over the traders and land dealers in the Auckland settlement, the Maori and Pakelia there were On excellent terms; but at Kaipara, Mongonui, and Whangarei there were many cases pf ill feeling over unjust land claims. At the Bay of Islands, however, both races were as one in their resentment against the authorities for having removed the seat of Government from Russell to Auckland. In 1841 Captain SirMfchn Ross stated in his narrative thaw tire chief Pomare complained of the customs duties having driven the whale ships from the Bay of Islands.

In 1842 when these murmurs were simmering, the Government House . at Russell was burned. Maoris and Whitesblamed each other. A Maori manusciipt found 16 years later in the Native Office addressed to His Excellency just after the fire, said: “I remember white

men, whether .gentle or low degree I cannot -say; but clothed in tail coats, very good coats indeed, very good trousers, and the shoes they walked in were polished, standing before the Government House before tlie flame appeared.” In 1841 under Christian influence 800 Maori slaves were released and permitted to return to their home in Taranaki whence they had been deported years before Wakefield’s purchase which to them was quite unknown. Twisting their arms around giant Totara trees long since made Tapu for canoe building,, they prayed Mr Carrington to stop the wood cutters’ desecration of that

sacred law of protection. Colonel Wakefield’s investments, known to the Maoris as Hoko Tahai, (thief purchases), were indirectly or directly also the sole cause of strife. Coal and lime were being illegally taken off Maori land- at Massacre Bay. No physical resistance was offered but each night the day’s takings

were quietly shovelled back into the pits. A chief was sentenced to fine or gaol for breaking a lime cask, and elected to go to prison, but his wife secretly paid the fino and he was released. Little did the Magistrate think that this appearance of weakness was to lead to a future tragedy.