AMIRIA; OR, THE MAORI PRINCESS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXII, 30 November 1895, Page 677

AMIRIA; OR, THE MAORI PRINCESS.

my niece Miriam Hinemoa Melville is a half-caste, though no one would guess such to be the case. Her mother was a Maori fyO 1$ Princess, and her father was my brother Harry. It may seem strange to you that my brother Harry, who was born and bred a gentleman, should have married a Maori maiden, but nevertheless such was the case. My niece Miriam was their only child, and if you like, I will tell you how it all came about. My father was a merchant in London, and Harry and I had been brought up in the lap of luxury. My mother had died when we were too young to remember much about her. We lived in a large house in Sydenham, a few miles from London, and close to the famous Crystal Palace, and as my father supplied us with all we required in the way of money, etc., our lives ran smoothly onwards. My father had to visit the Continent on business matters once or twice a year, and whilst away from home in the South of France was taken suddenly ill, and died in a few hours. On his estate being realised, we found that instead of being able to live in affluence and ease, as we had hitherto done, it would be necessary for us both to enter into business. We knew nothing about business pursuits, and it was considered best to take some subordinate position, as clerks or otherwise, in order to gain experience. This we did, but after about twelve months of this kind of work, Harry was so thoroughly disgusted with it, that he became very miserable, until one day reading some book about New Zealand, he resolved to try his fortunes in that favoured clime. His enthusiasm kindled a desire in me to go with him, more especially as we knew full well that the few hundreds we still had would disappear in the course of a year or two if we remained in London, for we had acquired extravagant habits, which we found it almost impossible to throw off whilst in such an environment. We resolved, therefore to go to New Zealand and start sheep and cattle farming there. Harry was a strong minded, plucky fellow, with the true ring of an English gentleman about him. He said he did not care how hard he would have to work, but he would be glad to escape from the conventionalities of Society to the greater feedom of open air existence, where he could see and admire all that was beautiful in nature, and look * from nature to nature’s God.’ In London, he said, where money is the god, and self interest the guiding star, he felt that his better nature was being dwarfed and crushed out of existence. We went to New Zealand accordingly, and after travelling over the greater part of it, decided to settle in the Waihou Valley, not far from Matamata, in the Province of Auckland. One of the reasons of this was that we were practically connected with Auckland by water, for a small steamer could take a barge upto the farm when necessary. For a year or two our time was fully occupied in building, fencing, clearing, and laying down in grass. We worked hard and made good progress. We put a few sheep and cattle on the farm, intending to gradually increase the number as more of the land was

grassed. Our farm was bounded by the Waihou River, and extended back to the picturesque bushclad ranges which form such a prominent feature of this part of the country. The farm was mostly level, and consisted of fair alluvial land, with some very pretty

bush and creek scenery near the foot of the Ranges. We were about five miles from Matamata, and about a mile from the Maori kainja known as Waiharekeke. The Maori race are generally recognised as the most intelligent native race yet discovered, and from personal experience of many years I can safely say that they are a splendid race of people, and it is scarcely possible to say too much in their favour. The Maori tribe or hapu that occupied the settlement of Waiharekeke was not a large one, but there were three or four other settlements further down the river. Kingi Hori Pohipohi, who was the Rangatira or chief, was a splendid specimen of a man, tall, active and muscular. We had dealings with him, and found him to be honest, straight-forward and manly. He took a great liking to both Harry and me, and assisted us in many ways by his kind advice and help. He spoke English very fairly. His daughter (Amiria) was a handsome girl of about sixteen, tall and beautifully formed, fit for a sculptor’s model. one could not help admiring her, for from an artist’s point of view, her figure was almost perfect. Her features were well formed, and her deep brown liquid eyes lit up the face with a kindly pleasant expression. She was descended from the famous and historical Hinemoa, and her mother was sister to Tawhiao, king of the Maoris. Thus she was a Maori princess, and was to succeed Tawhiao, as he had no children. She had received an excellent education at the Three Kings’ College near Auckland, and spoke English fluently. She was a born artist, for her landscape sketches in crayon, though somewhat crude in parts, clearly showed the marks of genius. Harry, too, had good artistic ability, and this was the first link that drew them together. Harry was also a great lover of nature, and deeply interested in botany, and this was largely increased on arriving in New Zealand, and seeing the luxurious growth and variety of the semi-tropical forest, which is sufficient to arouse in any one an enthusiastic love of the beautiful. In Amiria he found a thorough master in botany, for she had studied the trees, flowers and ferns from her childhood. In the evenings when our work was over, Amiria and her father would often visit us, and I soon noticed that Harry and Amiria seemed to be drawn together by the similarity of thei«- tastes. On Sundays, too, they made regular trips to the bush for botanical specimens, for Amiria had always something to point out which she knew would interest him. On one of these occasions while walking in the bush she espied a large cluster of flowers near the bottom of the gully, and telling Harry to wait, went after them. She found the creek almost dry, but the sides were steep and formed almost like a deep ditch. Jumping into this, she was startled at hearing a deep grunt beside her, and before she recovered from her surprise, was attacked by a large boar, who rushed at her and ripped her severely in the leg. The boar then turned and charged again, but she avoided his attack by jumping in the air and letting him pass beneath her. Again and again he charged, and succeeded in slightly wounding her once more. She had cried out to Harry at the first, and he hurried to her assistance. Amiria made a dash for the side of the creek, but slipped and fell, and would have been ripped severely had not Harry’s dog caught the boar by the ear and held him firmly until Harry despatched him with his sheath knife. Amiria was quite exhausted by her efforts to escape, but after staunching the blood and binding the wounds they managed to get to the edge of the bush, where they had left their horses. Amiria recovered in a few days, and was very grateful to Harry for his timely assistance. Harry one day went into the bush to get some specimens, and said he would not return until late in the

evening. The evening wore away, and the night also, end although I felt somewhat anxious I could do nothing. Just at daybreak, however, I heard the sound of a horse, and went out to meet him. Judge of my surprise and distress when I found Harry’s horse had re-

turned riderless. I at once communicated with the Maoris in order to get them to aid me, so as to follow Harry’s tracks. Amiria eagerly joined us, and it was owing to her sharp eyes that we were saved several hours of worry and toil in following his tracks. She rode to a little rising ground on the side of the range, and from this point could overlook the bush in the valley for some distance, and whilst doing this observed a slight wreathe of smoke ascending from one part of the bush. She marked the spot, and went as quickly as possible towards it, and there found Harry with a badly sprained ankle. She coo-ee-d to myself and the Maoris who were following his tracks, and we were not long before we got Harry out of the difficulty. He was soon all right again. It appeared that he had mistaken one of the creeks for the one which led to our farm, and after following it for some time found out his mistake. Darkness set in, but he pushed on until he became hopelessly lost. The moon rose, and he again essayed to find his way, and after wandering some time, got fairly fagged out aud bewildered, and in passing through a thick part of the bush, caught his foot in a supplejack, and fell heavily down a small incline. His foot was so painful he could scarcely move, so he lit a fire and made himself as comfortable as he could for the night. He did not expect to be traced so quickly, nor would he have been had it not been for Amiria, and he was consequently very grateful to her. He told me that during that night his thoughts were by no means agreeable ones. He had often thought that being lost in the bush was not a very serious matter, but when out that night the light of the moon gave a cold, weird look to the bush, and the limbs of the trees seemed to stretch out their arms to him and throw their shadows over him, as though they were going to claim him tor a victim, and although he was hungry and thirsty and fagged out, he could not sleep owing to the strangeness of the situation. He had made up his mind for at least another night there, and was therefore all the more pleased and gratified at being discovered so quickly. Some months passed away very pleasantly, and I noticed that Amiria and Harry appeared to be drawn closer and closer together, for they read the same books, drew the same bits of scenery in crayon and oil colours, and their botanical specimens were a source of deep interest to them. As I watched them from time to time it was clear to me that she loved him deeply, though he appeared not to notice it. About this time I received a letter from our attorney in England, urging my return to attend to certain business matters in connection with my father’s estate, and I accordingly left for London by the first opportunity, leaving Harry in charge of the farm. What happened during my absence I can only speak of from information I afterwards received from Harry himself. Soon after I left he joined Amiria and her father on a fishing excursion to the Hauraki Gulf with the rest of the tribe. The fish were to be afterwards preserved, in a way only known to the Maoris, for winter use. They went down to the river in canoes, past I’aeroa and on to Hauwahine, and were all busy making preparations. There were nearly twenty canoes altogether, and five of the larger ones were bound for Waiheke after hapukaand shark, the remainder fishing in the gulf near Miranda, opposite the Thames township. Amiria and Harry had a small canoe to themselves, but Harry found it somewhat difficult at first to keep from upsetting it, and many a laugh Amiria had at his clumsiness in guiding the canoe. When they started, it was a bright calm morning, and there was just enough breeze to cause a slight ripple on the water, and the wavelets shimmered and glistened in the sunlight. The canoes separated and went to various parts of the gulf. Harry was successful at first in catching a few fish, but as the sun rose higher they’ ceased to bite. Harry became drowsy, and was leaning back in the canoe, when Amiria’s line was suddenly jerked from her hand, and Harry, in his hurry to help her, upset the canoe, and they were plunged in the water. Amiria, who was a splendid swimmer, came to the surface laughing heartily, but Harry did not appreciate the fun, for they were some distance from the shore, and he could not swim more than 100 yards or so. They’ tried their best to right the canoe, but found it beyond their strength, and decided to sit astride it and wait. They had no sooner done this than they noticed a large shark close to them. He swam round and round the canoe, coming closer and closer at every turn. The tide had carried their paddles away, and they were now in a helples condition. Nearer and nearer he came, until they could see he meant mischief. One blow from his tail would he sufficient to upset them and place them at his mercy. All the other canoes were too far away to hear them coo-ee. Amina at once grasped the situation, and slipping off that part of her dress which would encumber her movements, leaned forward aud took Harry’s sheath knife from his belt, placed it between her teeth, and plunged into the sea. Harrydivined her object, aud called on her to return. The shark swam close to her, and seeing she remained quite still, turned on his back to attack her. As he did so, she suddenly dived under water, and immediately afterwards Harry, to his horror, saw a violent struggle taking place, and the water was tinged with blood. He could remain still no longer, but determined if possible to assist the brave girl, so swam towards the spot. Amiria rose to the surface close to him, and on seeing him exclaimed, ‘ I’m hurt! I’m hurt !’ and sank beneath the water, but Harry caught her, and holding her head above water swam towards the canoe. He had great difficulty in getting astride it again. Soon afterwards he heard a shout, and turning saw her father's canoe close at hand. The brave girl was placed carefully in it, and on examining her it was found that the right arm hung helplessly by her side, with the knife still clenched firmly in her hand. Her arm appeared to be broken, but on her returning to consciousness, she explained that she had received a blow from the shark's tail, which had completely paralysed her arm and her side. Harry was struck with the heroism of the brave girl, who had thus shown her love for him by risking her life to save his, aud now for the first time saw clearly that she loved him. After a few days’ fishing they returned to Waiharekeke and the farm.

Amiria was now eighteen, and being the probable successor of Tawhiao, the Maori King, was sought in marriage by a number of chiefs from various tribes, but Te Rangi-o te-Wainui Ithe Chief of the big sea) generally called • Te Rangi,’ who was the Chief of a large tribe at Hawke's Bay, seemed to be the favourite suitor. He was a bold, determined warrior, but ambitious and resentful of any interference. He wished to marry Amiria, for by so doing he eventually hoped to become King of the Maoris. He was assiduous in his attentions to her, but regarded Harry, the pakeha, with a jealous eye. On his proposing to Amiria, he was astonished and chagrined at tier refusal, and finding she would not listen to him, taunted her with loving the pakeha. Hot words ensued between them, and they parted in bitter enmity. He retired to his own tribe soon after this, and Amiria hoped she would never see him again. Harry, hearing of this, from her father, and partly guessing the reason of her

refusal, spoke to her and was well rewarded by noticing the depth of her affection for him. They were married within a month, and lived very happily for over a year, and were blessed with a little baby girl, who is now my niece Miriam. I returned to New Zealand about this time, and although at first I did not regard the marriage with favour, I was so much struck with their thorough happiness that I clearly saw it was for the best, and I soon learned to love Amiria as a very dear sister. All went along peacefully and hopefully until Te Rangi appeared on the scene once more, and finding Amiria alone one day, tried to persuade her to leave her home and return with him to Napier, and he threatened if she did not he would kill both her and her husband. Fortunately her father, who was passing, interrupted Te Rangi, who left, swearing to be avenged on the accursed pakeha, who had robbed him of his bride. Amiria told Harry of this, and her father warned them to be careful, and promised to have Te Rangi watched. Te Rangi soon afterwards, however, left for a neighbouring settlement.

The next Sunday they visited her father, and on returning home had to pass through a piece of dense bush. The track was narrow, and Harry was walking a little in front, when suddenly Atniria noticed a movement in the bush, and there saw Te Rangi with a rifle pointed at her

husband. She rushed forward and flung her arms around Harry’s neck, just in time to receive the bullet in her back. Harry’s first impulse was to rush after Te Rangi, but Amiria restrained him with the cry, ‘Oh, Harry ! don’t leave me.’ He took her in his arms, and found the bullet had passed between her shoulder blades, and the blood was rushing forth at every breath she took. He realised at once that she could not live for more than a few minutes, and in his agony pressed her to him. ’ Harry !’ she gasped, • I’m going to leave you,’ and then appeared to lose consciousness. She turned to him again, saying, ‘Good-bye, Harry; something tells me you will come to me soon,’ and with one or two convulsive gasps she expired in his arms. I was riding close by at the time, and hearing the shot in the bush, went towards the spot, and was bitterly grieved at the sight before me. We lifted her up tenderly and carried her home, and I thought it

better to leave Harry alone with his grief, for in such moments it is impossible to give expression to the sorrow or sympathy which we feel, and all words appear to be empty and expressionless. I considered it necessary that Amiria’s father should be informed at once of the death of his daughter, and took the oportunity of riding over to tell him. I found him in his whare, and on imparting the news to the old man he buried his face in his hands and seemed to be overcome with grief, but the next moment he sprang to his feet, grasped his mere, and with flashing eyes and determined mien he left the whare. He issued two or three commands to some of his men outside, and in a moment all was bustle. He then returned to me and asked some rapid questions as to the exact spot, and the time of the shot. Scarcely had he done questioning me, than I noticed a young chief with five warriors stood at the door. They were all naked, except for a light Maori mat around the loins, but they were well armed. Kingi Hori turned to them, and speaking rapidly and in an excited manner, told them what had occurred, and explained all particulars to

them, and urged them to be revenged on Te Rangi. His last words as he pointed with his mere in the direction which Te Rangi had taken, being • Go! and never return until Te Rangi sleeps with his fathers.’ I took them to the place where Amiria was shot, and

they immediately found the trail and quickly disappeared from sight. Te Rangi, however, had a good start, and it appeared that, expecting to be pursued, he had done his utmost to baffle any who might follow him. They tracked him to Waiwhakarewarewa, near Rotorua, where they arrived in the early morning, and on questioning the natives there, heard that Te Rangi was asleep in one of the wharfs, but on surrounding it they found that the bird had flown. One young man who had slept in the same wharf stated that about an hour before daylight be heard the dogs barking, and going to see what was the matter, he saw on the brow of the hill close by the figure of Te Rangi clearly outlined against the moonlit sky. The young chief and his warriors once more pushed forward as fast as they were able, and tracked Te Rangi to Orakikorako, and again on towards Wairaki Valley, now famous for its geysers and boiling springs, also its beautiful encrustations, petrifications, and other thermal wonders. On the eve of the second day the pursuers were beginning to lose all hope of catching Te Rangi, when they noticed his footmarks close to a small creek, and that the water near the edge of the creek was still slightly muddy, and therefore he could not have passed more than half an hour before them. This gave them renewed hope, and they pushed onward and entered the Wairaki Valley, and suddenly caught sight of Te Rangi ascending the hill on the opposite side of the gully. From his manner he appeared to have lost all fear of pursuit. Directly he had disappeared from view, they followed him rapidly, and on nearing the spot where they had seen him, they crept stealthily and silently along, well hidden by the ti-tree and scrub. Soon afterwards they saw Te Rangi in a small clearing sitting down to his evening meal. They separated and advanced stealthily towards him from different points, intending to capture him alive rather than shoot him. When within a few yards of him, some slight noise caused him to turn quickly, and on seeing his danger, he leaped to his feet, and with one blow from his mere stretched the foremost warrior dead on the plain. The other men pounced upon him, but he struggled long and desperately, knowing full well he was fighting for his life, and twice he fairly shook off his foes and rose to his feet, only again to be borne to the ground. They overpowered him at last, and bound him firmly, then carrying him down to the boiling, bubbling geyser, now known as the ‘ Champagne Pool,’ they threw him in. He rose to the surface, and giving vent to a blood-curdling scream of agony, disappeared for ever. There is a tradition amongst the Maoris that Te Rangi’s spirit still haunts this pool, and they say that the wailing, moaning noise caused by the steam rushing from this geyser, just before it discharges a volume of boiling water into the air, is the last dying scream of Te Rangi. They buried their dead comrade in a small cave close to the beautiful petrifying geyser, which is now known as the ‘Eagle’s nest.’ The steam and water from this geyser has covered the surrounding ground, ti-tree, ferns and moss with a greycoloured deposit which has turned as hard as stone, and as large pieces of ti-tree have fallen across this geyser, it faintly resembles an eagle’s nest, whence it has derived its name. It was expected that Te Rangi’s tribe would avenge his death, but though threats were made, they afterwards seemed to recognise that true justice only had been meted out to him. Amiria’s death was mourned by all the tribe. In a few days she was buried under the shade of a clump of fern trees (pungas), which had formed a cool retreat for her and her child, and there, with the graceful fronds and leaves of the fern trees bending towards her, and forming a canopy of beauty above her, and with the creek singing a soft lullaby at her side, she was laid to rest. This spot seemed consecrated to her memory, and was a fit resting place for one who loved nature so well. Harry appeared to feel his loss very much, and thinking to divert his thoughts, I proposed a trip to England. To this he agreed, saying that everything on the farm reminded him of Atniria. In passing through the Suez Canal, he caught some kind of a fever, and whilst in a delirium, dreamt he saw his wife coming to him. He got out of the bed and staggered on deck, and although we found him soon afterwards, and did our utmost for him, he died the next day and was buried at sea. Miriam, their only child, then became my special charge, and I soon learned to love her as a daughter. She has now grown into a fine young woman, and is the light and joy of my life. We have far more wealth than we require, and Miriam seems only to be thoroughly happy when she is doing good. She reminds me at times of both her father and mother, but as I watch her loving and self-sacrificing disposition, I often think of ‘ Amiria, the Maori Princess.’