1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1845 - New Zealand--Church Missionary Society, p 411-414

Aug. 6, 1843: Lord's Day--As I was returning from Church with my wife and children, one of my Natives was very troublesome, continually stepping before us, and almost hindering us from advancing. I asked him to walk on one side. He replied, by asking me if I knew the history of Zaccheus, and why be climbed up into a tree. I told him it was his anxiety to see Jesus. "And so," he replied, "it is my great wish to hear the words of life which causes me thus to run before you."

Aug. 7--I had my Bible-Class Meeting full: 150 present.

Aug. 13--A Native Sacrament: 230 partook of it. I collected nearly 2l. I was obliged to hold the Morning Service in the open air, as nearly 1000 were present. In the afternoon I had a large European Congregation.

Aug. 24--Started before sunrise. The morning was very cold. Walking very fatiguing, the shore being covered with timber and loose sand; high water also; but afterward, walking became better. I reached Otaki about four P.M. Here I found the Rev. O. Hadfield, and attended his Evening Service; after which I saw the principal Chiefs, among the rest, the redoutable Rauparaha. He appears full sixty years old, and Mr. Hadfield describes him as having a remarkable clear head, and wisdom more than common. I thought him a mild and gentlemanly Native, if I may use the expression, although enveloped in a dirty blanket. Here I noticed the first native bridge. It is a plank sixty feet long and three wide, supported on forked timbers, and is well made. Here, also, I saw a large native house erected as a store for flax.

Dec. 25: Christmas-day--My door was besieged before I was up. I commenced Service about half-past eight; but the number of people was so great that I was obliged to hold it in the field. It was delightful to see them all clustering around, quietly listening to the Word of Life, although belonging to tribes which, until lately, were living in hostility. I felt much happiness in addressing them. Afterward I administered the Sacrament to about 350, who so completely filled the Church that I could scarcely breathe. I was much fatigued; but the sight was very refreshing. In the afternoon I had an English Service; but the wind being very high, none came over from the Settlement. I then assembled the Teachers of every Pa in my District, who, with these Natives, formed a dense circle round me in the field; and I distributed 300 Testaments, according to the population of each place, for the use of the Schools. We then had Evening Service; after which they followed me about, so that, wearied out, I made a circuit of the Pa to get rid of them: but they yet found me, and said, that, like Zaccheus, they were determined to see and speak to me. I was much pleased with a paper of questions which one of my Teachers drew up for his School.

Feb. 3, 1844 -- We left this morning for Pokaru, another kainga of this tribe up the Waikaia. I told the Natives if they would all go there I would stay and spend the Lord's Day with them. They all, at once, agreed to my proposal; and this morning, at seven o'clock, we all started, men, women, children, dogs, and pigs, the entire occupants of the village, which was thus totally deserted, not a hoof being left behind. This motley assembly presented both an interesting and picturesque sight, as all glided along in their little canoes, alternately paddling, poling, or pulling up the frequent rapids, when all had to jump into the water and pull with all their might. But the most interesting consideration was, that this village migration was caused by the desire of hearing God's Word.

Dec. 25 -- Fine morning. I preached outside again to a very large Congregation; administered the Sacrament to 240; collection, nine shillings, and fifty kets of potatoes, some not containing more than half a dozen. After Evening Service I divided books, slates, and pencils among the different Pas.

In the course of the last six months, there have been baptized in this District 78 persons; viz. 44 males, and 34 females; and 11 couple of baptized Natives have been united in matrimony. During that period I have seen the great proportion of the Natives resident in the District. On Easter-day there were 31 Natives from several villages, who conducted themselves with consistency, and partook of the Holy Communion, having previously had a careful examination for that Sacrament. I believe the baptized Natives are, for the most part, walking faithfully.

In the early part of the year--January 9--in consequence of information respecting a quarrel, I proceeded to Wakapouanga, and found a Native suffering from a serious gun-shot wound. A Christian Native had dressed it most ably before we arrived. Upon inquiry into the matter, I learned that this man had done all he could to pacify his angry neighbour, having so heartily forgiven him the injury inflicted on himself; and, moreover, he could give so clear an account of his faith, that I baptized him before my departure, expecting in the course of a day or two to have intelligence of his death. However, his friends attended him so carefully that he has recovered, and now takes charge of the Service when the regular Teacher is from home.

Went over to Palliser Bay, and was thankful to find there, at Tekopi, a number of very intelligent Natives, who are under the direction of Richard, and one or two others sent down as Teachers by the Ven. Archdeacon W. Williams. It is most gratifying to observe how accurately information upon the most important topics is conveyed from one to another. In examining a body of the Natives here, I ascertained the correctness of their views; and I am not without hope that my visit may have proved useful, if in no other point, at least in giving additional evidence to what they had previously been taught. That this will be one result I conclude, because, in the course of our conversations, and during the examination held, there were several instances wherein Richard said to his people, "I have heard to that effect before, Brother: Archdeacon Williams told us the same:" and then he went fully over the statements which he recollected to have heard previously.

At Tekopi I had the pleasure of meeting one of my own Natives from Queen Charlotte's Sound. Tahaua Hone was returning home, after spending several months on the Northern Island, visiting his friends along the entire Western Coast as far as Taraki. By his presence I learned how the Gospel extends among this people: it appears to be as of old, when they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.

Tahaua mentioned several exhortations made by him in the course of his travels, and wished to know whether he had given correct views; at the same time telling me what he had said. The fact was, that he had repeated among his friends the substance of several Sermons he had heard from me. This, then, is the manner in which Gospel truth has spread so widely among the inhabitants of these Islands. May the time quickly arrive, when not only in outward profession, but in deed and in truth, they shall all be enrolled and fruitful members of Christ's Catholic Church!

A melancholy circumstance occurred a few weeks past. In coming from Queen Charlotte's Sound hither by canoe or boat we pass close round Jackson's Head, where a very unpleasant tide-rip is formed over the reef of rocks jutting out from the head. Richard Davis, a Native sent down from the Bay of Islands, and long stationed among the people of the Wellington District, among whom he possessed considerable influence, was coming round this point: fifteen in all were on board his canoe, when it was upset; and out of that number eight met a watery grave, Richard Davis being one.

There is generally a considerable body of Natives in the town. They come with some degree of regularity from all parts of the District, and are gradually becoming personally known to me.

There has been a regular succession of the Natives from the different villages. My first expedition amongst the Pas was in October. On the fourth of that month I went to Wakapouanga, about seventeen miles distant, and continued there until the 11th, teaching and conversing with the inhabitants. A quarrel among some of the people has for a while prevented the erection of a Church which was commenced here. The Chief of this Pa, Te Manu, conveyed me in his canoe to Rangitoto, in D'Urville's Island, through the French pass. I stayed until the fourteenth, holding conversations each evening until a late hour. I found several seriously ill, but was enabled to relieve their maladies; and, since, all of them have recovered. Went over to Massacre Bay, where we anchored on the fourth day. I preached to the Natives and to such Europeans as inclined to assemble. Visited the Native Settlements at Takaka, Tata, Taupo, Huarau, and Tahapo. This was the first occasion of an European Teacher visiting this District. The people at present are in a disturbed state, owing to an unsettled question about the coal at the Motupipi. Distributed a number of copies of St. Matthew's Gospel. On Friday, Nov. 4, having worked down the Waitapu, we were fairly under weigh for Nelson, which we reached on the following day. At Wakapouanga again, from Dec. 13 to 15, discussing several points connected with matters of faith and discipline with parties here from Rangitoto and Teawiti. On several occasions my services have been requested to settle differences which had arisen between the English and Native population.

At all periods of my residence in Nelson there are regular Native Services. Moreover, these people seem to be arranging their periodical journeys to Wakatu in such a way that I am likely to have regular intercourse with all the people of the District from Massacre Bay to Cloudy Bay three or four times in the year.

Set off in Willoughby's canoe on the 16th of January, and going through the French Pass we came to Rangitoto. The 21st of the month was occupied in examination of Candidates for Baptism, preaching and explaining to some who were baptized the nature of the Lord's Supper. Their views respecting this Sacrament appear to me correct.

Nine out of the eleven were able to give a satisfactory explanation of the first principles of the Christian faith; and as they were of good report among their people, they were, on Sunday, January 22, admitted into the Christian Church. Five others communicated.

The following day I moved forward to Queen Charlotte's Sound, where I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hadfield. On the second day I took my departure; and, after a violent storm, we were mercifully preserved to Rangitoto, from whence a fresh crew escorted me to Nelson; and upon the last day of the month we embarked once more, called in at the Motueka, where we had a Service; then on to Massacre Bay; and, on February 5, baptized seven Natives of that District. Extended my voyage to Tomatea, the last village of Massacre Bay. It contains forty-two inhabitants. They are building a neat Church. I supplied them with what few books were left. Returned to Nelson by the ninth of February. Early in March Te Rauparaha, Te Hika, and Rangihaeata were in the Settlement. I did not see them, by reason of my absence in the country districts.

March 20-24--At the Motueka, with both Europeans and Natives, catechizing and preaching: baptized several children of European extraction. I am grieved to say that two Native women were committed to prison for theft.

Native Baptisms, up to the end of June 1843: Males, 23; Females, 7; Total, 30: besides two infants since dead.

Two native women were committed to prison for theft. It would be wrong were I to omit to record the conduct of the husband of one of these: in civilized society it would be lauded as a signal mark of devoted attachment. He was anxious, in the first instance, to secure his wife from the disgrace of imprisonment, by paying whatever recompense might be

required; but that failing, he accompanied her to gaol, and took up his quarters in the gaoler's room. Upon ascertaining this, the Police Magistrate entrusted him with a key, and, in fact, constituted him gaoler. He faithfully discharged this duty, and, when the time was expired, brought down both the women to receive a lecture. This is the same man who, about Christmas, made most heroic exertions to save several White Men who were in danger at Massacre Bay, their boat having capsized. His name was then Te Pero (the Dog); but I have since baptized him by the name of Arthur.

Previous to Easter many gathered together at Nelson. After careful examination I admitted to Baptism fourteen upon Easter Sunday. Eleven Natives also partook of the Lord's Supper.