CHAPTER IV. THE SETTLEMENT DURING 1815.
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CHAPTER IV
THE SETTLEMENT DURING 1815.
THE vicissitudes of the first settlers are well described by John King in a series of letters, the first of which, dated February 15th, 1815, is addressed to his friend the Rev. Daniel Wilson. *
"A long time has elapsed," he wrote, "since I have sent you any account of myself or the great work I engaged in when in England, having no profitable news to send. Whatever blame Mr. Marsden may think proper to lay upon me on account of the Mission or anything else, he is welcome so to do; I do not conceive why he should, as I have been too much at his call and too ready to obey; if he does not know, I do with sorrow.
"On November 10th, 1812, I changed a single life to a married state; August 28th, 1813, Mrs. King was put to bed with a son. ** At this season she expects to be put to bed every day. 1 As soon as Mr. Kendall and his family came into Port Jackson the thought of New Zealand was stirred up in our minds, and in a short time Mr. Hall and Kendall went to the Bay of Islands to see and hear and learn all they could of the natives. They brought back Duaterra (Ruatara) and two more chiefs with them, with an intent to go with their families to settle at the Bay of Islands. I was called upon to go with them; after three weeks' voyage (in which I and my wife and child were very sick) we arrived at this port and are in good health, but our house or hut is made with flags by the natives. It has no chimney in it; it will neither keep wind nor rain out. We have no window in it. Mr. Marsden gave orders to have it made. He says it is very comfortable indeed; it will do very well. This is a very wet day. It has been so for this three days.
"On Sunday last, February 12th, it rained very much; the water came through upon our wheat, rice, bed-clothing, etc. The water was half over my shoes in our bedroom. From the wetness of the dirt floor, as our hut is on low flat ground, our clothing is damp though we do all we can to keep it dry. We have no fire to dry it when it rains, as our fire is out of doors. For my own part I am in good health, but it is uncomfortable indeed for my wife and child in the state she is in. It will be a great blessing indeed if it does not make her suffer exceedingly, as she has taken a severe cold already. We expect to have a good house before long, but I fear not before winter.
* The Rev. Daniel Wilson had recommended King to the Society. He subsequendy became Bishop of Calcutta.--Rev. Josiah Bateman, Life of Daniel Wilson, D.D., Lord Bishop of Calcutta (London, 1860), Vol. I, pp. 126-7.
** Philip Hansen King, vide supra, p. 71.
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"The natives behave to us as well as can be expected considering the state they are in. They are in a most deplorable, wretched, miserable, and pitiable condition as ever heathen were, I think. They know not who made them, nor who made their country or anything that is in it or the sea that surrounds it. The first Sunday that Mr. Marsden preached on shore Duaterra (Ruatara) made him a pulpit. After the sermon Mr. Marsden asked him to explain it to the natives that were present, but his answer was--'They know nothing about it now, by and by they will.' On another day when Mr. Marsden was trying to purchase some ground to build our houses upon, most of the natives belonging to this place were present. He wished Duaterra to explain for him and tell them what he came for, who sent us, how they ought to behave to us, what they might expect if they behaved good or bad to us; if well, they should have plenty of axes, etc., if bad the Governor would send plenty of soldiers and kill them all. Duaterra's answer was--'They know nothing about it now; by and by they know.' At another time Mr. Marsden told him that Mr. Kendall would teach the children to read and write, and that he must send them. He replied--'By and by. I make farm first, grow plenty of wheat and corn, etc., etc., and then teach the children; by and by they like it very well, know nothing about it yet.'
"I hope these few lines will find you in health of body and prosperity of soul enjoying all the blessings of Old England and all the blessings of the New Jerusalem."
Describing the New Zealand situation to the Secretary on 6th July, however, King had less reassuring news. "When Mr. Marsden was here," he wrote, "we made objections against settling at this place, but in vain; when he was gone and Duaterra (Ruatara) dead, they thought proper to buy a piece of ground which was level, fit for gardens and fields or corn, close by or near an excellent harbour where most of the ships come, therefore much more advantageous than this for temporal concerns. The sawyer, his wife and child, and one man went to the new settlement * to live. Mr. Hall was going as soon as he had put his house up, as the boards were sawn; but on Saturday night, the 24th of June, the natives surrounded the sawyer's house (one of the men being at our place) and plundered him of all he had and threatened to kill them. This has put a stop to it at present. Our natives and all our principal friends were very sorry and vexed when they saw the things going. When this robbery was known they were very well pleased, hoping it would keep us here. They laugh at us and say, 'Me tell you no good go Witanghee (Waitangi); take all your things; no believe me, you see now me no tell lie.' Almost every chief wants us to live at his place, one or all of us, but in my opinion it is very improper
* Paihia.
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for a single family to live with them at present. If we are under them we can do them no good; they want to teach us how to treat our children, and many things we must do which we ought not to do; if under them, besides, they steal all we have and laugh at us.
"I have employed myself in getting a little of the language, making shoes, preparing flax to spin twine and lines, and preparing a rope walk. As soon as the Active is gone--it is expected to sail in a few days--it is my full intention to take one or two boys to learn to spin and to make shoes, to read and do anything else that may be useful. Mrs. King will have one or two girls to instruct in writing, sewing, making any sort of clothing, to knit and spin. These things she is well qualified to teach them, and to wash and cook and clean the house. These things she will do with pleasure provided the means are put into our power. Those children will need food and clothing, and some little things besides to encourage them, such as a knife, scissors, comb, nails, chisels, small hatchet, plane-irons, files, fish-hooks, etc. One of these articles would satisfy one of them for a week, sometimes for two weeks. What I mean, Sir, is this: they want now and then a small present to lead them on. The young as well as the old are so much accustomed to stealing that it is hard to find two or three that will not. If we find one or two or more that will not steal, we prize them, and it is necessary to give them small things to keep them from stealing big ones. Food, such as pork, fish, potatoes, is reasonable at this place at present. They would be easily kept; they would want a little tea and sugar. If they behave well one could hardly deny them if we had it by us. Their clothing might be got at Port Jackson, but it would be much cheaper in England. If we are supplied with these things, we shall be enabled to do our utmost good to the natives, but if we are to apply to other people for every individual thing as we want it, our doing good to the natives will depend more upon other people than upon our own industry and care, as other people part with things very reluctantly, when once got into their possession; I have written to Mr. Marsden to the same effect at this time.
"June 22nd.--Duaterra's (Ruatara's) mother-in-law came to our hut with her grand-daughter, desiring us to let her five with us to learn to do everything like white people; this being the first that has been offered to us, we gladly took her in; her name is Ewhora (Ehura). She is about ten years old; her father died, her mother (Rahu) became Duaterra's head wife who hung herself at the death of him. Mr. Kendall gave her a piece of print to make two gowns; she sewed most of the second herself, it being coarse. She behaves well at present; if she stays one month with us I have promised her a small hatchet. If you would be so kind as to send me three hackles, one coarse, one very strong coarse one, one very fine one, by the first conveyance, I shall be much obliged to you."
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Kendall, for his part, had found trade conditions at the Bay of Islands very difficult, being forced into competition with whalers who were prepared to gratify the passion of the Maoris for muskets. Writing to Marsden on July 6th, "I now proceed," he said, "to give you an account of some of our temporal transactions as they relate to trade, etc. You will recollect when you left us our iron was all made use of, but I have the pleasure to inform you we were well supplied with these articles by parties from Wangaroa (Whangaroa) a few days after the death of Duaterra (Ruatara). We obtained eight iron knees from the wreck of the Boyd, and have received from Wangaroa and from different ships which have put in here about one ton. One knee the smith has made use of. Two more have been exchanged with Captain Hovell * for salt and coals, and the remaining five are in my possession. All the iron bars which you have sent us are used except the two thick ones. You will learn from my narrative and the communications of my colleagues that we have frequently been visited by strangers and surrounding friends. We have traded with them upon as fair terms as we could. I have made some trifling presents to some chiefs as you directed me. No parties have been suffered to go away discontented or empty.
"I have only been able to obtain two casks of pork. The natives reserve their hogs for the supply of shipping. We have had nine brought to us for sale for four weeks together. The large cask was procured in the summer, the small one has been cured lately. Captain Hanson (Hansen) ** has salted down two casks of pork. I shall try if I can get for Mrs. Marsden a few hams against the next return of the vessel.
"We have done nothing with fish worth notice. Mr. King has, I believe, a few which he will send. There are no roes to be obtained at this time of the year.
"We have procured some flax; but the natives like muskets much better than they do axes. Ships which come here and will spare muskets will have a great advantage over us in point of trade.
"We have had no spars brought to the settlement for sale. I borrowed boats from Captain Barnes, 2 but we were unable to tow the 16 spars which you left for the settlement across the Bay. We can get no natives to bring them to us for payment. They all say strong timber breaks their canoes to pieces. We had nine spars brought over to Tippoona (Te Puna) by Captain Barnes' boat.
"There are no potatoes to be procured for the purpose of vending at New South Wales. I am told Captain Parker *** was
* Of the Trial, vide supra, p. 88.
** Of the Active.
*** Of the Phoenix, vide supra, p. 91.
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very successful and took away in his ship seven tons. If we can obtain a sufficient quantity for the use of the Active during the passage I shall be satisfied.
"When we perceived we could do no good in procuring spars, deals, etc., in our situation at Tippoona (Te Puna), and that Conroy and Campbell must have been generally unemployed, I, with Mr. Hall, thought it would be very advisable to try what could be done on the other side of the Bay. I had not you to advise with. In Mr. Hall's opinion the River Whitangee (Waitangi) was preferable to any other place in the Bay for the rafting and securing of timber, as the adjoining land certainly was for rearing and keeping cattle. I therefore thought it would be the best to purchase fifty acres for the Society rather than that it should be purchased by an individual. As soon as Conroy and Campbell had finished their work here they went to live upon the spot, and immediately commenced digging ground for a saw pit. Warrakka (Waraki), * the proprietor of the land, died a few days after Conroy and Campbell had fixed themselves thereon. When a chief dies the country is in a very unsettled state, and commonly a great deal of pilfering succeeds the event. While Warrakka's relations had withdrawn themselves from Conroy's place in order to cry for the deceased, a party of strangers came upon him in the night, and by their artful manoeuvres bilked him out of his little property. Shunghee (Hongi) upon hearing of this incident immediately repaired with a party of his people to the residence of the robbers, who all fled at his approach except one old man and a few women. Shunghee (Hongi), as I am informed, related with a great deal of feeling to the old man how he himself and Duaterra (Ruatara) and several others had been treated by the English at Port Jackson. He told him how white men were punished for theft, and he said as the people had taken away Conroy's property he should certainly take away and destroy the property of as many as had been guilty; upon which the people of Shunghee (Hongi) entered the houses of the plunderers and carried his orders into execution. Warrakka's (Waraki) people have also chastised them, but none of Conroy's property has been recovered. Mr. Hall is determined still to persevere, notwithstanding this discouraging circumstance, and Warrakka's (Waraki) son has sent a party of men for the protection of Conroy and Campbell, who will go back with Mr. Hall as soon as the Active sets sail for Port Jackson. I, Mr. King, and the blacksmith will, I expect, remain here. The whole of the natives round the Bay are our friends. I think you may send the vessel to Otaheite (Tahiti) the next voyage.
"Mr. Hall tells me he had liberty from you to enter into private trade with captains of vessels. I am astonished at this. We cannot enter into private trade of any kind without injuring each other and the general welfare of the settlement. After I and
* Vide supra, p. 22.
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Mr. Hall had charged our trade and various other articles to the Society's account previous to your departure, I was surprised to find he had reserved some trade for himself and that he received more at the return of the Active. I could particularize several instances of a vexatious nature that have passed in support of my argument against private trade. I shall content myself with one, in order to show you the necessity of prohibiting private trade in future. When I treated with Captain Hovell for the articles which I obtained from him, both axes and money had been offered on a private account for the salt, although it is an article so exceedingly useful, and which we cannot do without, provided either pork or fish can be obtained for the vessel the next time. For the two knees, which cost two axes, we obtained one grindstone, one pound of saltpetre, eight pounds of tobacco, five and a quarter pounds of salt, and one ton of coals. I have made a proposal to my colleagues to drop every idea of trading for ourselves, and hope we shall in all our transactions have only in view the general comfort and prosperity of the settlement. I hope to hear of no more private property being imported. The cattle which are sent over ought not be to private property. Mr. Wilberforce and some other friends cautioned me against entering into trade. If I have much private property for barter I shall be tempted to forget the Society and think only of my own interests first. Mr. King does not yet see his duty so clearly in making shoes, etc., for the whole of the people of the settlement as I wish he did. He also is very inconveniently situated where he is, having so little room, and being almost in darkness. We shall be obliged to send for shoes to Port Jackson.
"I am happy to say I and my colleagues are upon good terms with each other. Messrs. Hall and King will give you an account of their own proceedings.
"I have prepared a First Book 3 for the instruction of the natives, which I transmit to you for examination. You can get a few copies if you think proper. There are undoubtedly many defects in it, but it is good to make a beginning. I wish to have it printed with a large type and on good paper. I have two or three children still with me. As soon as Mr. Hall proceeds to Whitangi (Waitangi) I intend to open a regular school. I wish you to send me as many publications of the brethren at Otaheite (Tahiti) as there are extant.
"Hall, the blacksmith, 4 has attended well to his work ever since your departure. He supplied us with iron that was his own very cheerfully, when there was none belonging to the settlement. I have also had steel and files for general use from him, for which I have directed him to charge in his account to you. He has exerted himself well since the Active has been in the Bay, and made in one week fifty-seven axes and tomahawks and ten flat tokees (tokis).
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"Thomas Hanson (Hansen) continued with the blacksmith until Saint Patrick's Day last. If I should be called upon, I shall vindicate Mr. Hall's conduct and my own in discontinuing his services. The grasscutter succeeded Thomas Hanson. He made his escape in the Endeavour, Captain Powell, after which Stockwell volunteered his services.
"I hope you will consider Stockwell and write in his behalf to England. He and the blacksmith are two useful men here, both as their labours respect the natives and the benefit of the settlement. The smith is, in my opinion, under Divine Providence, a great means of our preservation.
"When large parties come to visit us for the purpose of trading, the smith is instructed immediately to attend to their wants. In the next place he goes on with the work which immediately relates to the settlement, and then, as he has opportunity, he does such things as are wanted by individuals. Should any complaint be made, I have only to say that I have had no more than six knives and a small bar to roast meat upon made for my own use since I saw you. With respect to the distribution of axes, etc., after they are made, I do not withhold any from my colleagues when I have any by me. I assume no exclusive right of giving orders to the smith; I only have endeavoured to overrule anything that might interfere with the above plans.
"Should you wish me to continue at Tippoona (Te Puna), you would do well to direct that the timber for my house and school may be prepared and sent over from Whitangi (Waitangi) with the least practicable delay. I doubt Mr. Hall will never have time to finish the houses. It is too much for him. It would be a good thing if we had a carpenter for this purpose, and to teach the natives to make boats, wheelbarrows, etc. I expect Mr. Hall will try to build a vessel.
"I would not recommend you to send out anything for the settlement as yet but what you may deem absolutely needful. With respect to ourselves, I think we brought over too many articles of property. We ought to have come over much poorer. The natives do indeed very great things, and our prospects are encouraging. But they are not arrived at that state that they can bear to see property before their eyes without coveting it. A smith greatly diverts their attention. There would be plenty of work for a smith on the other side of the Bay. I am happy to hear that our plans correspond with the views of the Society, and of the liberal vote of the support of the settlement at New Zealand." 5
The settlement was troubled from within as well as from without. Writing to the Secretary on July 3rd, Kendall complained both of the convict settlers and of his colleague Hall.
"Mr. Marsden informs me," he said, "you are going to send us a clergyman, and adds that he has instructions from the
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Committee to send out more settlers from New South Wales. We have, I am sorry to say, already too many settlers of the latter description, and as soon as their services can possibly be dispensed with they must return to their home. I hope some truly pious characters will be sent out by the Society--men who would be willing to drop every idea of self-interests and lay themselves out for the real good of the settlement and to promote those important objects with which it is immediately connected. Worldly-minded men have not patience enough to bear the rude behaviour of the uncultivated heathen. A clergyman will be a great acquisition.
"I am sorry to say that I and Mr. Hall cannot agree in our opinions. He did not tell the Committee the whole of his mind when he came out. In many of his proceedings his private interests preponderate in his estimation. He says he has cleared three hundred pounds per annum at New South Wales. 6 This is a great temptation for him to return thither again. I am pleading with him as well as I can."
King's diary for 1815 gives a more intimate account of the difficulties of the work among the natives.
"July 9th, 1815.--Sunday morning. One of the prisoners was put in irons to be sent on board the Active. The natives were surprised. Pomarre (Pomare) shed tears when he saw him, and asked what he had done. Then he went up to the prisoner and asked him whether he had been stealing.
"Racoo (Rakau) and his wife and Duaterra's (Ruatara) orphan with a number of natives attended Divine service. Many of them observe the Sabbath.
"13th.--Ewhora (Ehura), our girl, * began learning to knit. As she was so wild we could not keep her in, so we promised her some beads if she would learn. To this she agreed. We have much to bear with them. We have need of patience.
"15th.--Mr. Kendall and I went to see Tarra (Tara) and Tupee (Tupehe) and took them some seed wheat. Their men and women were at work in the field preparing the ground for kummura (kumara). They are preparing twice as much land this year as they did last. We went to see Pomarre's (Pomare) place, he being gone to Port Jackson. They all received us with gladness and treated us with kindness.
"23rd.--I went to see a dead man. The people around him were crying and cutting themselves in an horrid manner. There appeared to be half a pint of blood on the ground, which ran from their breasts and arms. I told them the dead could not hear nor see it--it was no good to him--it was good to cry but not cut themselves. As I could not speak in their own tongue, I could say but little on the horrid practice, or about the effectual remedy of it. The three girls that live in our settlement came to see the
* Vide supra, p. 99.
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corpse. They seemed anxious to go back, as soon as I was going. They came with me. I asked them if it was good to cut themselves; they told me it was good to cry but not to cut themselves, knowing this to be my opinion. There are but very few in New Zealand that will say it is no good to cut themselves. While I was there I saw a young man who had been among white people for six or seven years and could speak English well go and kneel at the feet of the corpse with six or seven more, who cut themselves in the above manner and made a doleful noise.
"24th.--Terra (Tara), a young lad about fourteen years old, came to live with us to-day to learn to read and to spin twine-- upon condition he will not steal and will follow my direction. He is a promising youth--very active and quick in learning, but so wild and unsettled. The natives when at Port Jackson are ready to learn--they are not so here upon their own ground. They are as capable of learning a trade or anything else as we are if they had a taste for it, but confinement they cannot bear. Therefore much patience is required to let them come and go almost as they please. It must not be expected that they will keep to learning or working as ourselves. One day or a part of it they are with us, the next or part of it playing and dancing about. Perhaps if I go out and ask them to come in to read or work they will begin dancing and shouting and laughing, saying 'by and by.'
"29th.--Tarahee (Tareha), * that man that helped to kill and eat a boat's crew belonging to the brig New Zealander, 7 came to see us to-day. Tarahee is like a bear as to his person and behaviour. He is very tall and stout. His long black hair, his tattooed face, and his rough and obscene behaviour render his company no way desirable. On this day another small party came. They as well as the other were very insulting and seemed to mean us no good. In the evening they got into our fowlhouse, which is close to our door, and laid hold of a turkey. Mrs. King hearing, went to the door, saying 'tiki ta man hu' (tikina mai te manu). ** She dared not go out, but taking courage she went out. They let go the turkey. In the meantime I was coming home. I had been taking a sick man tea, etc. I had been from home about half an hour. I had a spear in my hand. I ran up to them, telling them to go away. This not moving them I called out for the gun, though there was nothing in it. Hearing this they ran away. They were ten or twelve in number. Not long after, they broke into the smith's shop and took all they could find. The smith hearing went and drove them all out.
"30th.--Sunday. They were very bold in pulling the hinges off my gate. I went to them, bidding them not to steal in such a manner. They had during the night pulled and broken down
* Tareha lived at a small village named Maunganui-Kareia at Waimate.
** "Fetch or bring the bird."
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my ropewalk. This part went off in Divine service time. Tarahee went in the afternoon. He and his son had nearly stolen my son's and Mr. Hall's son's hats. Our two little boys were walking on the beach. Tarahee and his son made a grasp at the two hats; the little boys not liking to lose their hats held them fast, crying out. We soon went and saved their hats. Tarahee and his son jumped into the canoe and paddled off, and we were glad at their departure.
"31st July.--Three people died--a number are very ill. I have visited many and given them food; and some are getting better.
"4th August.--Ewha (Ewha), a young lad, came to live with us upon the same condition as the other. We have expended bread, rice, tea, sugar, etc., upon the sick and helpless, and are doing so daily, as there are many in a sick and starving state. We have some satisfaction in seeing several that I had fed and waited upon when sick at our home in a fair way of health, while many have died around us. We have witnessed a melancholy scene-- so many deaths which they ascribe to our God and prayer, etc. Many young people, healthy and strong a few months ago when the kummuras (kumaras) and potatoes were in season, would not thank us for a meal; we see them now with their bones sticking out, craving our potato peelings. When Duaterra (Ruatara) was ill I was going to take him food. They sent me back saying he was tabooed. At this time several sick people sent for me to go to see them, sending me word at the same time that they were not tabooed. I gave the priest a small chisel to make the coffins. He was much pleased. He asked me for some tea. I told him it was a pity to drink it through his hands, as he would waste most of it. I put the pot to his mouth. He drank without fear. Ewhora (Ehura) was ill this evening. She said it was because the priest drank out of our pot, though she seemed much against this opinion. I sent the pot with some tea in it to a sick child. The parents would not let the child drink it for fear it would kill the child, as the priest had drunk out of the pot. When Ewha came I was going to cut his hair. Terra told me it was not good to cut his hair in the house. I told him he was not come to teach me--he was too much of the tabooed for me--he had better go to Ranghee Hoo (Rangihoua). He was very nice about his dinner. I told him he had better go to Ranghee Hoo and eat fern-root, as there are many that would be glad of his dinner. He ate it without any more to do.
"8th.--I went across to the harbour to Tara's place to sow a little wheat.
"10th.--Ewha has been swearing very much, as there is a deal of swearing in the settlement, there being five prisoners that have made their escape from Port Jackson, besides two more. The natives learn very soon, and swear in an awful manner, both
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old and young. I endeavoured to tell Ewha the evil of it, saying if he did not leave it off he should not stay in my house. I told Ewhora and Terra to talk to him in hopes of his leaving it off. Terra and Ewha went to fetch me firewood. Ewha began to swear. Terra beat him. Ewha being the youngest of the family, the mother would not let him stay. I told her Terra should go and Ewha stay, but she did not like her darling son to do any work so he pulled off his clothing and went away. These two boys are Racoo's (Rakau) sons--Ewhora (Ehura) his grand-daughter.
"11th.--In the evening Terra told us that he made a fire to cook potatoes and to eat a New Zealand man. He helped to eat him. He also helped to eat a boy, mentioning his name. He said it was a long time ago. He likewise told me that old Tippoohee (Te Puhi) brought some of the white men from the ship Boyd to Tippoona (Te Puna) and ate them.
"13th, Sunday.--A number of natives attended. Racoo (Rakau) kneeled down and stood up when we did; it was pleasing to see him. When we were at dinner we were alarmed with the news of a woman hanging herself. I went up to Ranghee Hoo (Rangihoua) to see if the woman was dead or not; a native boy went with me. She was lying in a hut. The boy asked if I might go in; they said 'Yes.' I laid my spear and hat down and crept in upon my hands and knees, the door being just big enough so to do. I called to the woman. She hearing my voice got up. I told her to come and go with me and I would give her some food. She came staggering down with me. My wife gave her some meat and kept her till tea-time and gave her tea. When she went Mrs. King told her to come to-morrow to work, and she would give her food, thinking this would keep her from attempting the same again. It appears to me to be the best time to show our goodwill towards them when in distress. When they are in health, good words and works have but little weight with them.
"18th.--At nine at night Mr. Kendall and I went off along with Shunghee (Hongi) and his friends to Kiddee Kiddee (Keri-keri) to sow wheat. I got into a canoe with a number of natives. They upset it before Mr. Kendall got into it, so I was very wet and had to change my clothing before I could proceed on my journey. We then got into our own boat and set off by the light of the moon. When we got half-way we went ashore, and stayed about two hours until the turn of the tide. We arrived at Kiddee Kiddee about five in the morning. We got a little refreshment and went to see the ground. We were much pleased to see so much prepared for wheat. Mr. Kendall sowed it. We left at one in the afternoon and got home at five in the evening on the 19th.
"21st.--Mr. Kendall and I went a short distance with some natives to sow wheat. After we had sowed it and were returning home, the wind rose and it began to rain so that we had hard work
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to reach home by night. The rain and wind had almost blown and washed the rush hut down. The water was ankle deep in our bedroom, so my wife and two little children were almost as bad off as myself.
"31st.--Arrived the brig Trial from the River Thames, Captain Hovell, and another small vessel which sailed with him belonging to the same owner. Mr. Hovell informed us that on the 20th inst. the natives not far from the Thames made an attempt to take the vessels; war began and five white men were killed. It is supposed that fifty or sixty of the natives were killed. This news was alarming to us, especially the females. *
"September 1st.--Terra hearing this news would stay no longer with me. He told me it was very good to kill and eat the white people, but no good to kill New Zealand men. Ewhora, our little girl, tells us that by and by all our children will be roasted and eaten. She is almost afraid to sleep in our house at these times. Terra is a boy that would soon learn anything were he so inclined. He likes to come and go as he pleases. After cutting his hair, cleaning him from filth and lice, making him clothing, washing and mending, keeping him clean, feeding and learning him, for him to go back into filth and dirt with half a belly-full is as surprising as it is distressing to me.
"5th.--Mr. and Mrs. Hall moved over to Whitanghee (Waitangi).
"7th.--Mr. Kendall sent two prisoners on board the Trial by the natives. The prisoners did not like to be sent by the natives. Mr. Kendall insisted upon it. The smith struck work; he and his wife were in danger; he would go on board too. The settlement was in confusion, but the prisoners being afraid of our natives were glad to submit. The smith got to work and the storm a little abated.
"10th.--While we were at church four boys got into our rush hut. They stole a piece of raw pork, all our bread, a knife, and some clothing belonging to the children.
"11th.--Between eleven and twelve at night I heard the fowls make a noise. I ran towards it. My gun having only powder in it I fired at them. They dropped the fowl and ran away. I went and fetched it back and heard no more about it.
"17th.--Three boys and one girl were dressed in our clothing by us, and go to church. They behave as well as can be expected. They clean and put their clothes on, say their lessons, repeat the Lord's Prayer, etc. I often hear them repeating it as they walk about. Read (Rete) wished to learn; he comes almost every day to learn the letters. He is much pleased. He says it is very good to learn, though I never expect him to learn as he is too old.
* Vide supra, p. 88.
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"20th.--The sawyers came back from Whitanghee (Waitangi). They left Mr. Hall by himself on account of the disagreements between them; they would stay no longer.
"22nd.--I went to Whitanghee to fetch some logs to saw for my house.
"23rd.--We left with eight good logs, but the wind setting against us we were drifted to Tarra's (Tara) Bay. We were weather bound until Monday morning. I was very sick with the roughness of the water.
"25th.--Between twelve and one in the morning the rain and wind ceased. We left Tarra's harbour, and got safely home between nine and ten; I found Mrs. King very unwell. She was reading one of Burden's sermons on Sunday night. A native came and struck the door with a large stick so suddenly that the fright injured her much.
"Tippoohee (Te Puhi), the man that helped to destroy the Boyd, came to-day with a small party; he brought iron, etc.
"28th.--Tippoohee left early in the morning. This day arrived the brig Active with a supply of provisions. Received letters from England. The natives that came back in her seemed well pleased and satisfied, especially with Mr. Marsden and his family.
"1st October, Sunday.--Here were eleven dressed in English clothing. They could understand a little, especially when we prayed for King George. They are well pleased. I often please them in telling them what a number of men he has, etc. The name of our King George and the name of Mr. Marsden will do a deal sometimes. I have no doubt but the name of the latter is thought as much of here as the former in England. They refrain from work in general, and are in a state of reformation. In all my writings you see but little of religion. They have no knowledge of God or of His ways. Here is much work to be done and but five to do it. If faithful labourers come out I have no doubt but good will be done according to their diligence and zeal--men of true piety, honest, sober-minded, active, and upright in conversation; if worldly gain or worldly care is their nature it will eat up all their time and thoughts."
Writing to the Rev. Daniel Wilson on July 11th, King, after describing the death of Ruatara, * goes on to complain bitterly of his own treatment at the hands of Kendall and Hall.
"Without doubt," he said, "Duaterra (Ruatara) was a well-wisher to his own people and to the English; at the same time it is evident he had no knowledge of religion. Sowing wheat, planting corn, making farms, was his favourite employment and the topic of his conversation; he wanted his people to be like white people--to have bread, tea, sugar, clothing, etc., etc. At the time
* Vide supra, and also The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, p. 120.
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of his illness and to his death, it seemed to be the most of his care and talk to take care of us; he advised us to leave New Zealand as the people were very bad in general.
"This is the first letter of complaint to England from me, if I forget not. It is with reluctance I now begin, hoping it will be my lot to do so no more. To speak in a few words without relating every particular, I have to say they * have behaved very bad to us; they will serve the runaway prisoners from Port Jackson before us; they made us go without sugar before the ships came back here while nobody else did, as there was fifty pounds in the settlement belonging to the Society when the ships came back; and in many other instances which I shall omit, as I don't like to complain, they will let us have nothing but what they cannot hinder us of. Mr. Hall and Mr. Kendall quarrel very much, but they both agree to deprive us of what is right; when they have got things in their own possession it is with reluctance they part with any. ... I have been employed in making shoes for our families, getting a little acquainted with the language, preparing flax for making lines. I shall begin to instruct them in spinning as soon as the ship is gone if nothing prevents.
"The 22nd of June, Duaterra's (Ruatara) mother-in-law brought her grand-daughter to our house desiring she should live with us--to nurse the child, to learn to read, to sew, clean the house, to do everything like white people. We could have a great many more, but they steal all from us they are able; they are not content with a belly-full themselves, but want to feed all their party and steal all they possibly can of other things besides. Many live by plunder. The strong plunder the weak. They have stolen ten cocks and hens and eighteen turkeys from me, besides things out of the house. Although they behave well, as we say, yet we have a great deal to bear of rough and indecent treatment. They have learned a set of bad words of our countrymen, and often use them with obscene actions without shame or a sense of the evil of it. Ever since the death of Duaterra we have been left exposed to the mercy of all parties both far and near.
"April 19th.--A large party came from Whangaroa in a most formidable manner; thirteen large canoes, about four hundred people. Indeed, Sir, you may believe me, every white man and woman turned pale. The chief came along the beach in the front of his men and came up to us, saying he was not angry with us but with our natives. The reason was this:--This chief was up a little time before with a small party. He prevailed upon Mr. Kendall to go with him to see the remains of the ship Boyd and her cargo, which the chief spoke of. Racoo (Rakau), Duaterra's father-in-law, prevailed upon him not to go, for fear they should kill him, as he had received strict orders to take care of us. Therefore this chief was very angry with Racoo and brought this large
* i.e., Messrs. Kendall and Hall.
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party up to fight Racoo, but he being out of the way at this time they were quiet, stole all from us they could, and left us the next day. Next week they returned, went past our place, landed about two miles from us, destroyed a field of potatoes belonging to our natives, and killed all the pigs they could find. The Whangaroa people are enemies to our natives. They dared not come while Duaterra was living. When dead they came boldly. They told us they would not hurt us nor Mr. Marsden's ship if it went there. But any other ship coming they would take it if they could. A little time back the sawyer and his wife and child were over at the new settlement living in a new house just built. A party of natives surrounded the house in the night, got in, stole all from them, and threatened their lives, so we know not what a day may bring forth.
"July 2nd.--The little girl we have living with us refused to repeat the alphabet, saying it was no good. I put the book up, saying if she did not like to learn to read I would not make her. I soon perceived what was the reason. I took the Bible down, telling her that this was God's book; that was not; being a spelling book. I asked her to come to read; she came with pleasure. She knew four letters before, and at this time learned two more. They are very jealous of our God, saying Mr. Hall and Mr. Kendall and myself praying so much makes our God destroy them. About this time a great number has died here. Some say it is our God kills them, others the New Zealand god. They drop off very fast, the weather being wet and cold and having no kind of nourishment. When ill they must not sleep or eat in their home. There is not one chief, I think I may say not one, that wishes us well but what wants us to live with him or at his place, either one or all of us; but this will not do at present, they are such savages; and another thing is if we are under them we can be of no use to them. They want to instruct us how to treat our children, to cook, and many other things, saying 'it is very good in New Zealand,' so that if we were in single families among them we could be of no use to them, for they are like bears when vexed. We should be in too much fear of them. Not only that, but it would be too strong a temptation for them; they would plunder us. No doubt they would kill us. There is no sort of danger except when they are mad. Then they destroy all before them. When we get anything back which they have taken, they, in general, want as much for bringing it back as it is worth. The chief will scold a little and then all laugh together and so no more, only they say 'it is very bad.'"
By October, King's growing resentment against Kendall caused him to write in a letter to the Secretary of the Society, dated October 28th, "A good English minister is what is wanted here very much to give direction. If Mr. Kendall were to desist writing against any of us, looked to his own duty, and kept himself sober and quiet, it would be much more to his credit now and greatly to his advantage in the latter end."
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Kendall, too, felt the growing lack of harmony between himself and his colleagues. At the same time, however, he was able to write to the Secretary on 19th October, 1815, that the more friendly attitude of the natives justified his proceeding with the establishing of a school.
"The Society will be happy to learn," he said, "that I and my colleagues have been preserved in safety these nearly twelve months, and that we are at present under no apprehension of personal danger. There has been an unhappy dispute between the crews of the brig Trial and the schooner Brothers and the natives, while the vessels were near Mercury Bay; but we do not feel ourselves the least alarmed on that account. I, from my knowledge of the captain, was always afraid he would make some great blunder. He came out with me as a passenger in the Earl Spencer. He was an unfit man to go amongst natives. *
"Our friend Shunghee (Hongi) is strongly attached to our interests. Whenever he hears of strong parties paying us a visit, he is sure to bring his men for our protection. His residence is about thirty miles from us, but he says as soon as my house is built he will come to live near me and resume his former studies. He will put his sons Depero (Ripiro) and Daingho (Punahou) under my care.
"All the surrounding chiefs are our friends. The chiefs of Whangaroa who were concerned in the destruction of the Boyd behave well when they come to see us. Tippoohee (Te Puhi) expressed a desire to go to Port Jackson in the Active the last time he was here, but I advised him to the contrary. I told him he must keep from ships. The friends of the unfortunate people who were murdered in the Boyd were very angry. He had done a very bad thing. He replied 'he would never make another attempt to take a vessel.'
"I have in my last letter to Mr. Woodd written Home for assistance. A person of talent to assist in writing down the language, a blacksmith, and a schoolmaster would be of great service at New Zealand. You mention the probability of sending out some Lutheran clergy. In the selection of missionaries you will no doubt be governed by circumstances, but if a clergyman of my own country could be prevailed upon to come, we could better co-operate in fixing the native language, as we should better agree in method and arrangement of letters than two persons who had been accustomed to speak different languages. The Committee, I hope, will impress it upon the minds of those they send that they cannot enter into private trade while they are on the Society's settlement. Everything ought to belong to the Society. By attending to the general good and prosperity of the settlement, we should all be more likely to live comfortably at our post. By attending to individual interest we should wreck the settlement in pieces.
* Vide ante, p. 9511.
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"I must now communicate to you my thoughts on the subject of raising a school here. I have before stated my opinion that I have plenty of scholars as soon as convenient apartments are prepared for their accommodation. This will be accomplished, as I hope, in a short time. It is my intention to take about forty children under my care. These must be clothed and fed. Such brown cloth and stuff as is used in charity schools in England would suit very well. The clothing which can be procured from the natives will greatly assist; with a little alteration it will do for working days. I trust I shall also be enabled to procure plenty of potatoes and pork for a few axes, which will serve the school the whole year. I shall apply to Mr. Marsden for rice or a little wheat, if he should think it advisable to let them have any bread. In the summer I have every reason to believe a school can be maintained at a little expense, and even in the winter if by any means a sufficient quantity of potatoes can be deposited in a storeroom. Supposing there was a smith in the settlement, I think thirty pounds' worth of English trade would supply forty children with pork, potatoes, and fish for one year. Each scholar might have two suits per year of clothing of English manufacture. We could make beds of the native clothing, etc., and the children might also wear native clothing if at any time they should be inclined to pay a visit to their parents or be employed about any dirty work. If a certain sum was allowed for rice or tea, etc., the Committee could easily bear the expense of the school, and might support it out of the separate school fund, if that way should be most agreeable. You will, I am confident, agree with me that it is of the utmost importance to establish a school as soon as it can conveniently be done. When the natives perceive the disinterestedness and generous behaviour of their unknown benefactors, and our kind care and attention to the welfare of their children, they will soon give credit to the purity of our motives and to the important truths which I humbly trust God is in infinite mercy preparing us to tell them. Their attachment to us will also be stronger, for we have already had proof of this. During the last trying winter, besides the ten children which have been clothed and fed at the expense of the Society, many sick persons have been occasionally relieved. The natives in the rainy weather can catch no fish, and many of them die for want of proper nourishment. The fern-root is dry and insipid after it has been laid up some time. I conjecture it lies upon the stomach whilst it occasions an inflammation. 8 The poor creatures drink cold water, for they have no notion of the danger of doing so, and thus hasten their death. When they come to us for relief we cannot turn them away. Since the winter the attachment of the natives towards us is more conspicuous. Many of them come upon the Lord's Day to hear the service and singing.
"I have now received all the extra favours I can wish from the Society. I have only to request that I may have my salary
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sent out in such articles of clothing and comfort as I think may be needful, during such time as it pleases God to give me grace to use my feeble efforts in promoting the great object of the Society. My colleagues--it is a painful remark that we are no longer acting as a body--would, I believe, wish to have the same indulgences. If they do, it will be much better for our different portions to be sent apart. Although it will perhaps be attended with more trouble to you, yet it will be better to have it done than to quarrel about trifles here. If you have not already sent out an investment I shall be glad if you will send for my use a case or two of port wine, and charge the same to my account. It will be very useful here in the winter. Mrs. Kendall is very weak, and unequal, without support, to the work she has to do.
"You will be pleased not to forget to order the three wigs I have before mentioned. The peruke maker will be careful to make them large enough. My head is twenty-one inches in circumference. From the forehead to the back of the neck is thirteen inches. I shall want a portion of fish-hooks, knives, and little ornaments to distribute as rewards amongst the native children. A gross of combs for the hair, large and small, a few pairs of large scissors, knitting needles, pins, and needles for sewing will be useful. I believe we shall take girls as well as boys.
"Mr. Hall has built a house for himself a few miles distant from me. Mr. King will have one built next near me. I hope I shall then be enabled to get forward with my house and schoolroom. Mr. Marsden has sent a carpenter, who will remain here until Mr. King's house and my own are completed. It would not be prudent for Mr. Hall to leave Mrs. Hall alone. I am happy to say that I and my colleagues live generally upon friendly terms with each other. I hope I shall profit by your letter and do all I can to promote peace, although I must not disguise the truth that I have always despaired of being able to act altogether in Christian concert with them; our views are very different.
"I have written to you respecting my servant Stockwell, and I believe Mr. Marsden will also write home in his behalf. He and Walter Hall (the blacksmith) work very hard every day. I should be glad if anything could be done for them. I just mention them to you, as I know you will be ready to use your influence if you can do it with propriety. Richard Stockwell was tried at Gloucester, March 30th, 1812, and Walter Hall was tried at Dublin in January, 1812. 9
"Mr. Nicholas, a gentleman who came out as a passenger with me in the Earl Spencer and accompanied Mr. Marsden to New Zealand, I expect will shortly return to England. If he does you will obtain a variety of information from him respecting New Zealand.
"Although the spot on which I reside is entirely unsuitable for the purpose of cultivation, and I cannot of course do much
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towards the support of my family whilst I am upon it, yet I think it my duty to settle here on account of the number of children that are about me. Any settlers who may come out with a view of ultimately making themselves independent of the Society ought to be encouraged to go over to Mr. Hall, or to establish themselves in some other convenient place. Company is very desirable, but while I feel myself I shall be content.
"Although Mr. Hall is alone, yet I am told the people of Warrakkee's (Waraki) district are very kind to him and do not attempt to take anything from him. Warrakkee's son and another chief assist him continually with their good offices.
"We are very glad at all times to see the return of the Active, but should circumstances so happen that she should be wanted for the conveyance of missionaries to other islands in the South Seas, I am of opinion that we could do well by receiving our supplies once a year, particularly as vessels might sometimes visit us which took their departure immediately from Port Jackson. I state the above as my own private opinion, for I believe we are as safe here as all other missionaries are who are under protection of the heathen.
"We have parted with some hundreds of axes since the first voyage of the Active to this place, but the thirst for more amongst the natives is as strong as ever. A blacksmith is a very useful man. I do not know how we could do without one. With a blacksmith of good character I dare venture to reside in almost any part of New Zealand.
"The parties who visit us from distant quarters go away satisfied. We trade with them as well as we can. None are sent empty away. I expect we shall have many visitors the ensuing summer. By means of the natives who came last year from the Thames, the news of our settling here must have reached a great way into the interior."
In his last letter of 1815, dated 27th October, Kendall appealed for Marsden's support in controlling his colleagues. Marsden was evidently rendered uneasy by what he had gathered of his relations with Hall and King.
"I must now acquaint you," wrote Kendall, "how we are going on here with respect to trade. You will recollect, when you left us, it was mutually agreed upon between me and my colleagues that Mr. Hall should employ his industry in procuring spars for the Active, and remain on board as an assistant to the captain during the time of her continuance in the Bay; that Mr. King should go over to Korro-Korro's and procure fish, and I should endeavour to procure pork, etc. Mr. Hall and Mr. King will acquaint you with what they have done. Mr. Hall, you will perceive by the blacksmith's list, has received a good deal of trade. Mr. King has not had so much, because he never went to procure
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fish, and the flax which has been purchased has been generally paid for by me. A little time after your departure my colleagues would each buy pork for himself, and continued to do so. They assigned as their reason that their wives wished to have the lard, and Mr. Hall particularly wished to trade, in order, as he said, to increase his influence amongst the natives. * For a long time three or four hogs were used in the settlement in the course of a week. I did not find fault because they could not bear a reproof from me. I have no pork for you at this time. Besides the foregoing reasons, the five prisoners have consumed a great deal, and we have been under the necessity of now and then giving pork to such natives as were ill during the winter.
"I wish some regulations to be made with respect to the trade issued from the blacksmith's shop. I think it would be advisable for you to direct how many axes or flat tokees (toki) shall be given to Mr. Hall, and how many to Mr. King. I wish to have nothing to do with either of them in anything that relates to trade. I cannot give them satisfaction. The blacksmith, as you will recollect in his agreement with you, would not consider himself as under their orders, and they have not taken any proper steps to conciliate his regard since that time. As soon as there is sufficient timber procured for the school, I intend to distribute the trade equally amongst the three settlers. You will therefore from hence consider each man as providing for his own family and responsible to you for the surplus he may receive. As soon as I receive your directions I shall abide by them.
"According to your desire I shall in future be more explicit in my private letters. I trust, however, I shall only notice such things as you really ought to be acquainted with. If a line should escape my pen which is inconsistent with that Christian charity which beareth all things, you will readily perceive it, and not suffer it to operate on your mind to the prejudice of my brethren."
[Footnotes to Chapter IV]
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[Footnotes to Chapter IV]
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[Footnotes to Chapter IV]
