1867 - Williams, William. Christianity among the New Zealanders - APPENDIX.

       
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  1867 - Williams, William. Christianity among the New Zealanders - APPENDIX.
 
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APPENDIX.

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APPENDIX.

RESUME OF NEW ZEALAND AFFAIRS.

The following table of dates is appended, to facilitate the reader's better understanding of the events which are summed up in Chapter XIX.

A question arises about a block of land, in the vicinity of Taranaki, on the west coast, known as the Waitara block. This land having been sold to the Government by a native whose right to do so was disputed by the chief, William King, he protests against the sale, as being in violation of the "mana," or tribal right. The policy of the Government had hitherto been to decline having to do with land of a disputed title. On this occasion the Government resolved to persist, and the first instalment of the money was paid in December, 1859; when the chief, William King, appeared in person, and renewed his protest against the sale.

The Government proceeding to survey the land, the surveyors were driven off by the native women.

The Governor arrives at Taranaki, March 2d, 1860, and desires William King to come there for a personal conference.

The chief declares himself afraid to go, because of the soldiers which the Governor had brought with him, but proposes another place of meeting.

The Governor directs Colonel Gold to take military possession of the land.

The war at Taranaki continues until June 4th, 1861, when, a sort of peace being patched up, the greater portion of the troops were transferred to Auckland.

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Governor Brown's proclamation to the chiefs of Waikato, demanding that the king movement should be given up, May 21, 1861.

Reply of the native Runanga, dated June 7th, 1861, in answer to the Governor's proclamation, in which they pray him not to be in haste to begin hostilities--"Let our warfare be that of the lips alone; let it not be transferred to the battle made with hands."

Memorandum forwarded to Governor Brown, July 4th, 1861, signed by the Bishop of New Zealand and several of the Church Missionary Society's missionaries, in which they express their conviction that there "are not any of the Maories who desire to be the Queen's enemies," and that the existing difficulties admitted of a peaceful solution.

Arrival of Sir George Grey, as successor to Governor Brown in the Governorship of New Zealand, Oct. 1861.

Roads commenced to he made to Maungatawhiri, on the Waikato river, thirty-eight miles from Auckland.

Imperial control over native affairs abandoned, May 30th, 1862.

Sir George Grey decides that the Waitara block had been wrested from the natives by the late Government without any legal title. He resolves on giving it up; but, before this was publicly known, takes military possession of the Tataraimaka block, which the natives held in pledge for the Waitara. Regarding this as a recommencement of hostilities, they cut off a small party of two officers and six men on their way from Taranaki to Tataraimaka.

Renewal of the war at Taranaki, May, 1863.

Early in June, 1863, General Cameron moves the greater part of the troops from Taranaki to Auckland, in order to defend that town from an apprehended assault of the natives.

The population of the native villages between Auckland and the Waikato ejected from their homes by Govern-

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ment proclamation, July 9th, 1863. Military occupation of these districts.

Troops cross the Waikato: various encounters, culminating in the defeat of the natives at Rangariri, November 20th, 1863.

Occupation of the Maori capital, Ngaruawahia, December 8th, 1863.

In his despatch of July, 26th, 1865, Mr. Cardwell expresses his opinion that, on the occupation of Ngaruawahia, a proclamation might with advantage have been issued, stating the terms on which those who had been in arms might return to their allegiance.

Instead of this, the Governor is dissuaded by his responsible advisers from coming to head-quarters, on General Cameron's invitation, and there meeting the native chiefs.

Encounters at Te Rora, Rangiawhia, and Orakau.

The general, turning the native works at Pikopiko, disperses the natives at Rangiawhia, who retreat to Maungatatauri, their mountain fastness, January, 1864.

The subjugation of the delta of the Waikato and Waipa rivers completed.

A body of troops shipped to Tauranga, on the east coast, with instructions to confiscate native lands and property.

The natives, friendly and hostile alike, fly into the bush.

After some delay, a proclamation issued, distinguishing between friendly and disaffected natives, and assuring the former of protection.

Confidence only partially restored: outbreak of war at Tauranga.

Repulse of British troops at the Gate Pah, April 29th, 1864.

Rise of the Paimarire fanaticism at Taranaki, April, 1864.

The fanatics threaten Whanganui, at that time bare of

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troops; but the town is defended by the friendly natives, who repulse the Paimarire at Moutoa, May 14th, 1864.

Defeat of the natives at Tauranga, by Colonel Greer, June 21, 1864.

Battle of Te Ranga, in the Waikato, and defeat of the Maori chief, Rawiri, June 21st, 1864.

Submission of the Tauranga chiefs, July 25th, 1864. Confiscation of one-fourth of their land.

Second battle in defence of Whanganui, between the Paimarire and the friendly natives; the latter under the command of the chief, John Williams, who had been for many years head-catechist to the Church Missionary Society's Mission at Whanganui. Defeat of the Paimarire, Feb. 23d, 1865. John Williams dies of his wounds, Feb. 24th; on the 27th, all the authorities at Whanganui, civil and military, follow his remains to the grave, the British ensign forming his pall.

Another party of the Paimarire visits the Eastern districts. They reach Opotiki. Murder of the Rev. C. S. Volkner, March 2d, 1865.

The Paimarire reach Turanga, March 16th, 1865. The Bishop of Waiapu leaves Turanga for Auckland, April 3d, 1865.

The Christian chiefs from Otaki, Wi Tako and Matene Te Whiwhi, reach Turanga, and resist the action of the Paimarire.

War in the Eastern districts, between the Colonial troops, aided by the friendly natives, and the Paimarire.

The Paimarire defeated: the murderers of Messrs. Volkner and Falloon apprehended, tried, and condemned; five of them have been executed.

Although broken as a political conspiracy, the fanaticism of the Paimarire, a compound of popery and heathenism, is still at work among the natives.

LONDON: PRINTED BY R. CLAY. SON, AND TAYLOR.


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