WAITANGI MEMORIES

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21034, 9 February 1940, Page 4

WAITANGI MEMORIES

SIGNATURE OF TREATY VISIT BV HAMILTON RESIDENT DESCENDANT OF REV. R. TAYLOR

Dr. Richard M. S. Taylor, of the Health Department, Hamilton (son of Mr Herbert R. S. Taylor, ol Wanganui), is a great-grandson ol the Rev. Richard Taylor. M.A., of the Church Missionary Society, wfio took an active part in the maxing of tnc Treaty of Waitangi in MO. Becai ol the Maori language, and because his handwriting was very clear, the Rev. R. Taylor was entrusted with the task oi copying on to the main . heet of parchment the wording of the treaty, which had been put into the Maori language by the Rev. Henry Williams. To do tnis he worked laic into the night of February 5. 1840, after the terms of the treaty had been explained by Captain Hobson to the assembled chiefs and Europeans, and the first signatuies were placed on that parchment the following morning. For nis trouble, Mr Taylor was permitted to keep the preliminary copy written by Mr Williams, but it is not known whether it still exists. Annotations In Treaty After witnessing those first signatures, Mr Tayior was entrusted with the obtaining of further signatures at Waimatc North and Hokianga, a total ol 130 signatures. The fact mat he witnessed these is recorded in his handwriting along the right-hand border ol the parchment. Furthei annotations in his writing clarity the identity of other witnesses. Dr. R. M. S. Taylor and his sister. Mrs J. A. Nicholls, of Wanganui, attended the Waitangi celebrations as official guests and were received by Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Galway. During their northern visit they placed in the old Waimatc Church a bronze tablet given by his descendants to commemorate the Centennial of the Rev. Taylor’s arrival at Paihia, and his long years of service both to the Maori people and European settlers. The Rev. R. Taylor was appointed to Waimate *n 1839 but took up Ins real life work at Putiki Mission Station, Wanganui, in 1843, and was the first minister of Wanganui. As art author he is best known by his books, “Te Ika a Maui, or New Zealand and Its Inhabitants,” and “New Zealand, Past, Present, and Future.” His diaries have not yet been published.