1878 - Wells, B. The History of Taranaki - CHAPTER XXI: THE EVENTS OF 1859

       
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  1878 - Wells, B. The History of Taranaki - CHAPTER XXI: THE EVENTS OF 1859
 
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CHAPTER XXI: THE EVENTS OF 1859.

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CHAPTER XXI.

THE EVENTS OF 1859.

ON the 1st of January the Puketapu natives went into New Plymouth to receive payment for the Tarurutangi Block. This was the piece of land concerning which the chief Rawiri lost his life. For a block of 20,000 acres the Government paid the owners £1,400. Preparations were at this time making for the erection of a bridge over the Waiwakaiho river, a work which was much needed, several valuable lives having been lost in attempts to ford the stream. The river has its sources high up on the peak of the mountain, and when flooded comes down with great impetuosity. A sapper and miner, named Jones, designed the structure from an engraving published in the Illustrated London News. The contractors for the building were Messrs. Brooking and Rundle.

PROCLAMATION.

"In pursuance of the authority in me invested by the 'Militia Act, 1858,' I, Thomas Gore Brown, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby make and ordain the following Regulations respecting the training and exercise, arms and accoutrements, clothing and equipments, of a Company of Volunteers enrolled in the district of Taranaki, under an order in Council dated the thirteenth day of January, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine.

"1. The Company shall be called 'The Taranaki Volunteer Rifle Company,' and shall consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals, and ninety-two Privates.

"2. The arms will be a rifle and bayonet, with accoutrements to be issued by the Adjutant to each volunteer, the value of which, for determining the amount to be paid in case of loss or damage, is hereby fixed at six pounds six shillings.

"3. The Company shall be divided into the following local subdivisions, viz., the Town, Grey, Omata, Bell, and Hua, and each volunteer shall belong to such one of the sub-divisions as he shall think fit.

"4. Drill shall be local and general. The several sub-divisions shall meet for local drill as follows:--The Town--at some place within the Town of New Plymouth or Town Belt; the Grey--at some place within the Grey Block; the Omata--at some place within the Omata Block; the Bell and Hua--at some place within the Bell or the Hua Block. Such places of meeting and the times thereof to be from time to time fixed by the Captain of the Company.

"5. The general drill shall be at such times and places as the Captain of the Company shall from time to time fix for that purpose, subject to the approval of the Governor.

"6. Provided always that the time required for attendance on

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general drill shall not exceed forty-two hours within the year.

"Given under my hand at Government House, at Auckland, this thirteenth day of January, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine.

"T. GORE BROWNE."

On Saturday, the 12th February, the nomination of officers took place as authorised by 3rd Clause of the Order in Council dated 13th January, 1859, as follows:--

"All officers of Companies will be appointed by the Governor, and names for that purpose are to be submitted to him for his approval by the Company to which they are proposed to be appointed."

The election terminated as follows:--For Captain, Isaac Newton Watt; 1st Lieutenant, James Hirst; 2nd Lieutenant, Robert Chisenhall Hammerton.

The New Zealand Government Gazette of 25th February, notifies the following appointments by the Governor:--Isaac Newton Watt to be Captain; James Hirst to be 1st Lieutenant; Robert Chisenhall Hammerton to be 2nd Lieutenant, in the Taranaki Volunteer Rifles; Commissions to date from 12th of February. Also, the appointment of Christopher William Richmond as a member of the Legislative-Council.

On Sunday, the 6th March, H.M.S. Iris, 26 guns, Captain Loring, C.B., arrived at Port Eliot, New Plymouth, having on board His Excellency the Governor, attended by Captain Seward, Private Secretary. His Excellency left the frigate under a salute, and on landing was received by the Officer commanding the troops and a guard of honor. A salute was fired by the Royal Artillery when His Excellency reached the shore. On Tuesday, the 8th March, a meeting of the Moturoa, Town, Waiwakaiho, Puketapu, and Waitara natives was held in a paddock adjoining the residence of the Land Purchase Commissioner. It was less numerously attended than many former ones, the muster of the Waitara natives being particularly small. Shortly after 11 o'clock His Excellency the Governor, attended by his Private Secretary and Mr. Maclean, the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, arrived on the ground and was welcomed by the assembled natives, the whole rising up to receive him, with the exception of William King and some few of his followers.

The principal Chiefs then paid their respects to the Governor.

Tahana, a native assessor, opened the proceedings by acknowledging the benefits conferred on the natives by the introduction of Christianity and European customs, and expressed the desire of himself and his tribe to have British law established among them.

Mr. Maclean, on behalf of His Excellency, spoke as follows:-- "The Governor wished them to understand that the Queen regards equally all her subjects; that all her Governors have had and would have the same instructions, viz., to do their utmost to promote the welfare of her subjects without distinction of race. The missionaries

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had imparted to them the blessings of Christianity and translated the Bible for their use. It was not in the power of man to confer any other gift which would bear comparison with that of the Bible; but out of consideration for the natives His Excellency had caused an abstract of English law to be translated into Maori. He had no wish to enforce this law; on the contrary, it would only be put in force in those districts where the people were wise enough to desire it, and prepared to carry it into effect by themselves. One tribe in the North had already desired to have English law, and a Magistrate had been appointed to instruct them how to put it into practice. They were now engaged in doing so with every prospect of becoming a prosperous people and uniting themselves with the Pakeha. This tribe was the Ngapuhi. The Governor had but two subjects on which he desired to speak particularly to the tribes living near Taranaki, and they were--First, in reference to criminal offences; second, in reference to land. He wished these subjects to be considered separately, and as having no sort of reference to each other. The tribes in the vicinity of Taranaki had greater advantages than most others, as they were much intermixed with the Pakeha, and ought to profit by their intercourse with them. If they chose to live peaceably and cultivate their land they would grow rich and multiply, instead of which they were constantly at war with each other, and their numbers were decreasing. Their disputes were almost always about matters of little or no importance, or about land which was not worth quarrelling for. Had His Excellency the Governor been in New Zealand when Katatore slew Rawiri, he would have had him arrested and brought before the judge, and if the judge had sentenced him to be hanged, he would have caused him to be hanged. He had not thought proper to arrest Ihaia, because though the murders to which he was a party were horrible and disgraceful, yet they admitted of some extenuation, inasmuch as they were committed in retribution for the murder of Rawiri. All this, however, now belonged to the past but for the future he had determined that every man, whether he were Maori or Pakeha, who should commit any violence or outrage within the European boundaries, should be arrested and taken before the judge, and the sentence of the judge, whatever it might be, should be carried into effect. He was determined that the peace of the settlers should no longer be disturbed by evil doers, and that those Maoris who were not content to live in peace among the Pakehas had better go elsewhere. In reference to the second subject, the Governor thought the Maoris would be wise to sell the land they could not use themselves, as it would make what they could use more valuable than the whole, but that he would never consent to buy land without an undisputed title. He would not permit any one to interfere in the sale of land unless he owned part of it, and on the other hand he would buy no man's land without his consent."

Tahana again addressed his tribe, approving of that portion of His Excellency's speech declaring that if murder were again committed the murderer should be arrested and tried by British law. He then

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supposed a case of a native policeman or assessor, himself for instance, shot while arresting a murderer, and inquired who would avenge him. He stated that if he were assured of the support of His Excellency, as he knew His Excellency would receive the support of the Queen, he could hereafter single-handed arrest offenders.

Te Teira, of Waitara, then stated that he was anxious to sell land belonging to himself, and that he had heard with satisfaction the declaration of the Governor referring to individual claims, and the assurance of protection that would be afforded by His Excellency. He minutely defined the boundaries of his claim, and repeated that he was anxious to sell. He then rapidly asked if the Governor would buy this land. Mr. Maclean, on behalf of His Excellency, replied that he would. Te Teira then placed a parawai or bordered mat at the Governor's feet, which His Excellency accepted. This ceremony, according to native custom, virtually placed Teira's land at the Waitara in the hands of the Governor.

Hemi Huku then followed, and stated his desire to dispose of land at Onaero, but in consequence of violent opposition his offer was not entertained.

Piripi, a relative of Ihaia, then offered his land at Waitara; his right to sell was denied by Te Teira, Te Waka, of the town, and several of the Waitara natives, who asserted that his land was forfeited by reason of the murder of Katatore by his relatives.

Paora then informed the Governor that Te Teira could not sell the land he had offered without the consent of Waiteriki, and himself, as they had a joint interest in a portion of it.

Te Teira replied to Paora, and was immediately followed by William King, who expressed his determination not to give the land up.

Kipa, of the Waiwakaiho, then expressed the satisfaction which the Governor's speech afforded him, and proposed that henceforward British law should not prevail beyond the Waitaha or eastern boundary of Bell Block.

Matiu, of the Hua, wished to address His Excellency on the King movement, but was informed that another opportunity for so doing would be afforded him.

The Assembly then separated.

The flourishing condition of native agriculture in 1859 may be gathered from the following statistics:--In the Waitara, Huirangi and Ngatimaru districts there were 894 acres of land in cultivation by Maoris, who were in possession of 82 horses, 380 horned cattle, 690 pigs, 36 carts, 30 ploughs, 12 harrows, and 4 threshing machines. In the districts of Waiongona, Mangoraka, Ikamoana and Kaipakupaku, 405 acres of land were in cultivation, and the people possessed 49 horses, 111 horned cattle, 248 pigs, 27 carts, 32 ploughs and 15 harrows. In the Mangati, Te Hua and Waiwakaiho districts, 608 acres were in cultivation, and the people possessed 53 horses, 144 horned cattle, 258 pigs, 28 carts, 26 ploughs, 12 harrows and 3

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threshing machines. At Puketotara and Pukenui, 45 acres were in cultivation, and the people possessed 17 horses, 41 horned cattle, 14 pigs, 5 carts, 5 ploughs and 2 harrows. At Ararepi, Ratapihipihi and Moturoa, 109 acres were in cultivation, and the people possessed 17 horses, 16 horned cattle, 16 pigs, 14 carts, 9 ploughs and 4 harrows. The total number of acres in cultivation in the native districts was 2,061, and the Maoris possessed 218 horses, 692 horned cattle, 1,226 pigs, 110 carts, 102 ploughs, 45 harrows and 7 threshing machines.

On the 2nd of April a band for the Volunteer Rifles was formed, Mr. Manley undertaking to teach the members gratuitously for twelve months. His Excellency gave a donation of £5 towards the purchase of instruments.

The Government Gazette of the 5th of April notified that His Excellency the Governor had appointed Charles Stapp, Esq., junior Captain of the Taranaki Regiment of Militia, Charles Brown, Esq., being the senior Captain.

Steps were taken at this time for the enlargement of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, New Plymouth, and the Provincial Council were busy with a Bill for consolidating the town.

On Thursday, the 18th of August, the new Waiwakaiho bridge was formally opened by His Honor the Superintendent, and a public luncheon given on the banks of the river, In the evening a subscription ball to celebrate the event took place at the Masonic Hotel, the garrison band performing by permission of Colonel Murray. At three o'clock on the following morning some late wassailer, in a state of intoxication, set fire to the Council Chambers and Government Office in Courtenay Street. The buildings were burned down and all the Provincial records destroyed.

On the evening of the 29th of August there was a very splendid display of Aurora Australis.

On November the 29th, £100 was paid to Teira on account of his land at Waitara.

On December the 1st, the Tarurutangi Block was offered for sale,

PROCLAMATION,

"By George Cutfield, Esq., Superintendent of the Province of Taranaki,

"Whereas by an Ordinance of the present Session of the Provincial Council of Taranaki, entitled 'The Town of New Plymouth Consolidation Ordinance, 1859,' it is among other things enacted that it shall be lawful for the Superintendent, with the approval of the Provincial Council, to alter and contract the boundaries of the Town Site of New Plymouth, and to declare such alteration and contraction by proclamation in the Government Gazette of the Province. Now therefore, I, the Superintendent of the Province of Taranaki, do hereby proclaim and declare that the boundaries

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described in the Schedule hereto shall be taken to be the boundaries of the Town of New Plymouth.

"Given under my hand at New Plymouth, this 16th day of December, one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine.

"G. CUTFIELD,
"Superintendent.
"J. C. RICHMOND,
"Provincial Secretary."

-------------

[Schedule Referred To.]

"On the North, the sea at high water; on the East, the Henui River; on the South, Lemon Street to Watson Street, along Watson Street and the North boundary of Native Reserve No. 14 to Hobson Street, along Hobson Street to Gilbert Street, along Gilbert Street to Gardner Street, thence in a direct line to Fillis Street, along Fillis Street to the boundary of the Military Reserve, along the South boundary of the Military Reserve to Down Street, along Down Street to Dawson Street, along Dawson Street to Fulford Street, along Fulford Street to the Cutfield Road; and on the West the Cutfield Road."

WIREMU KINGI WHITI RANGITAKI.

The natives who in old time resided in Auckland and occupied Mount Eden as their principal fortification, assert that they came to New Zealand in a canoe named "Tainui," high tide, by which name the tribe is called to this day. The remnant of these people now reside at Raglan. The Tainui is said to have come in company with the canoe "Arawa." The people of the Arawa first discovered land. Tainui then parted company with Arawa for some time, but they met again at Whaingaparoa, and having there quarrelled about a whale the Arawa went along the East Coast, and Tainui went into the Tamaki river, where the people observed sea-birds coming from the west. This led them to suspect that there must be a sea coast in that direction, and searching they discovered the Manukau river. They then dragged the Tainui across the portage and launching it in the Manukau waters near Otahuhu, proceeded out of the harbor and coasted along southwards to Kawhia. Here part of the people landed and settled, and the remainder returned to Mount Eden, and took possession of the Auckland district.

There is in the Wellington province a portion of a Waikato tribe called Ngatiraukawa. A quarrel of two brothers near Maungatautari, in Waikato, was the cause of the tribe fighting. The defeated section retreated to the south, and located themselves in the present home of their descendants. It was in the war of these brothers that the ancestor of Wi Kingi came from Waikato to Waitara, and took a wife from the youngest female branch of the family of Te Teira, and lived with her at an old pa called Manukorihi, on the north bank of the Waitara. This old pa was abandoned in 1820, but up to that time Wi Kingi's relatives lived there and were the

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last to leave, hence his hapu or branch of the Ngatiawa are called to this day Manukorihi, which signifies the singing bird. Up to 1826, Wi Kingi's relatives had never cultivated the north side of the Waitara but once, and that cultivation was allowed for the following reason:--A number of canoes manned by Ngatiawa went out of the Waitara on a deep sea fishing expedition, when they were caught by an unexpected squall, and all swamped but one, and the people drowned. The other was driven to the Sugarloaves, where the crew effected a landing, and according to Maori custom remained for some time at the place of their deliverance. The people of Manukorihi mourned the loss of the fishermen, believing them all to be dead, but Wi Kingi's ancestors hearing of the escape of one canoe's crew, crossed over the river, and cleared a spot of land for the survivors of the disaster. The escaped men then came back to the Waitara, and were permitted by Te Teira's ancestors to live for one season on the clearing on the south side of the river, near to the spot where the Kuhikuhi pa was afterwards built. Reretawhangawhanga, the father of Wi Kingi, lived at the Manukorihi pa, and there early in the present century Wi Kingi was born. Just before the siege and taking of Pukerangiora by the Waikato, Wi Kingi went to Kapiti and put himself under the protection of Rauparaha, at Mana. The reason of this was that Rauparaha was descended from the Tainui migration, and was consequently related to Wi Kingi. Hence when the Waikato intended to attack Pukerangiora they sent word to Wi Kingi to leave the district, and he obeyed and saved himself and family by so doing.

In 1839, when Colonel Wakefield visited Cook Strait for the purpose of buying land for the New Zealand Company, Wi Kingi, who was then called E Whiti, or the shining one, sailed in the Tory from village to village in Cook Strait to persuade the Ngatiawa to sell their lands at Taranaki in order that he and they might return to the north of the Waitara and dwell there in the security afforded by the presence of the white people, and upon reserves which were promised to be set apart for such purposes. The name of E Whiti is the first signature upon the deed of sale known as the Queen Charlotte Sound Deed. A year or two after this he went to Ngapuhi, where he had a dispute with Kati, the younger brother of Potatau, about the land. Kati said to Wi Kingi, "That land Taranaki will be sold to the Governor." Kingi replied, "Then I will sell the Waipa Valley as a payment for my slain," alluding to an encounter which took place between the Ngatiawa of Taranaki and the people of Waipa. On Kati's return from the north he repeated what had passed between himself and Wi Kingi to the old chief Potatau. Soon afterwards Potatau went to Kapiti with Governor Hobson, and on one occasion thus addressed His Excellency:--"Friend, listen to me, Taranaki is mine; my hand holds it: I wish to sell it to you." The windows of the room in which this conversation took place happened to be open, and some papers which had been lying on the table had been scattered by the wind. The old chief collected them,

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and placing them upon the table put a weight upon them, and addressing the Governor, said:--"This is like Taranaki; if I press the Taranaki people they will remain quiet. See, O Governor, when I put a weight upon them they are still, they cannot move." It was probably just prior to this last occurrence that Wi Kingi was baptised by the Rev. Octavius Hadfield, the present Bishop of Wellington.

In 1846, when Rauparaha and his fighting general, Rangihaeata, were in rebellion at Wellington, Wi Kingi took up arms on the side of the British.

In 1847 Kingi visited Taranaki with the Governor in the Inflexible, and afterwards, with upwards of 500 Ngatiawa, began to make preparations for a return from Cook Strait to Waitara. Having sold the land at Waikanae, which he held with others of his tribe by right of conquest, he proposed to the natives of Ngatiruanui and Taranaki to give them allotments of land at Waitara with the avowed object of helping to prevent further sales of land to the Pakeha. The origin of Wi Kingi's opposition to the sale of land may be learned from the following statement of Mr. Maclean:--

"In the years 1848 and 1849, when negotiating the purchase of land at Rangitikei and Manawatu, several of the Ngatiraukawa tribe of Otaki publicly stated at meetings held at Te Awahou, that they had, by the advice of their missionary, formed a league against the sale of land."

Wi Kingi having received an invitation from Potatau, the great Waikato chief, to return to Waitara, said to Teira:--"Let us return to Waitara; you take one side and I will take the other, as Waikato gives us permission to return." He pretended to be anxious not to act in opposition to the Government, but pressed on Major Richmond, the officer of Waikanae, the sale of the district, his anxiety on this head being caused by the scarcely concealed intention of the Ngatitoa tribe to seize on Waikanae the moment he left it. The Governor hearing that canoes were being built at Porirua for the migration, sent peremptory orders that they should be dismantled, and if necessary seized and destroyed; and these orders, and a memorandum recorded by the Superintendent, show clearly that at that time it was seriously in contemplation to prevent the migration by military force. But Sir George Grey, desirous of trying a last effort to come to terms with Kingi, made, a further proposal of certain conditions on which he would permit him to sell Waikanae and come up to Waitara. The basis of this proposal was that Wiremu Kingi should settle on the north bank of the Waitara, and should relinquish all pretensions to any land on the south bank. The exact terms of the agreement were as follows:--

"Upon all pretension being at once relinquished to all lands on the south of the Waitara, the Government will, without further inquiry into such pretensions to these lands, admit that from the prompt settlement they are making of this question the natives are entitled to such compensation as may be agreed on between themselves and the officers of the Government, The Government will then also

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recognise and permit them immediately to dispose of their claims at Waikanae and Totaranui for such compensation as may be agreed upon."

Kingi agreed to these terms, and an offer made to the Government at the end of 1847 was kept in abeyance till all the claims should be ascertained. Under these circumstances the Government no farther opposed the return of Kingi to Waitara, and the migration took place in 1849. On reaching the Waitara he went to reside at his ancestral place near to the Manukorihi pa. But as some of the Waikato, under Rewi and other chiefs, were then cultivating land in the vicinity, and Kingi being in fear of an invasion from that tribe, he asked permission of Tamati Ruru, Teira's father, to build a pa upon the south bank of the river, in what is now the township of Raleigh, which permission was granted.

In the summer of 1849-50, Kingi had a large and strong pa erected, his flotilla of boats and canoes were drawn up near to it, and he had extensive gardens for a considerable distance along the south margin of the river. Kingi after his return maintained an insolent demeanour towards the Europeans, and rejected all overtures made to induce him to part with the land or to remove to the north bank of the river. Governor Grey on one of his visits to New Plymouth spent a whole night with him in endeavouring to bring him to terms. Kingi cultivated the friendship of Katatore, a Puketapu chief, who resided at Kaipakopako, a determined opponent of the Pakeha.

Shortly after the discovery of gold in Australia in 1851, a great demand for potatoes arose; the demand culminated in 1856 when potatoes to the value of £19,000 were exported from New Zealand. Kingi and his people grew large quantities of these useful tubers on the alluvial soils of the Waitara, and selling them to the merchants in town, became richer than ever they were in their lives. In 1854 these people possessed, in addition to considerable sums of money, 150 horses, 300 head of cattle, 40 carts, 35 ploughs, 20 pairs of harrows, 3 winnowing machines, and 10 wooden houses. In the same year the seeds of the anti-land-selling-league, sown by Kingi at Waikanae in 1847, began to grow. According to Mr. Taylor, Matene Te Whiwhi, on his return from a political visit to Taupo and other places, wrote a letter to the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki natives, calling a meeting at Manawapou; there the natives erected a very large building, the largest perhaps which has ever been made by them, being 120ft. in length by 35ft. in width. This was named Taiporohenui, or the restraining of the great evil, i.e., selling land to Europeans; and there all the great chiefs from Wellington to the Waitara, a distance of nearly 300 miles, assembled. Five hundred were present, and much speaking and bad spirit were displayed. The result was a determination to sell no more land to the Government, and to hinder any one who felt disposed to do so. In token of their determination to carry out this arrangement to the fullest extent, a tomahawk was handed around to each person and afterwards buried with a copy of the New Testament beneath the floor of the house

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called Taiporohenui. A few months after this the Puketapu feud commenced, and Taranaki became a scene of strife and blood-shedding. Ihaia, having been driven to the Karaka pa on the banks of the Waitara, and closely besieged until he was on the verge of starving, the late Rev. John Whiteley and Mr. Parris prevailed on Kingi to permit Ihaia to vacate the pa without molestation. Kingi agreed to do so, and Ihaia with loud lamentations left the pa in the night, but he also left behind a armed party of his allies hidden within the pa, so that Kingi and his followers might be slaughtered when they came to take possession of the fortress. Mr. Parris having become aware of this piece of treachery, warned Kingi of it and saved him from destruction. In one of his encounters with Ihaia, Kingi thus addressed his Taranaki allies:--"Men of Taranaki, be strong! Be brave and capture Ihaia, Nikorima, and Puhere, as payment for the tapu of Taranaki and Umuroa. Then we will stretch out their arms and burn them with fire. To prolong their torture let them be suspended over a slow fire for a week, and let the fire consume them. Like the three men of old whom Nebuchadnezzar commanded to be cast into the fiery furnace, even as it was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall it be with Ihaia." On Tuesday, March 7th, 1859, a meeting of natives was held in a paddock adjoining the residence of the Land Purchase Commissioner, New Plymouth, at which His Excellency Governor Brown, Wi Kingi, Te Teira, and other natives were present. After the Governor had addressed the meeting Te Teira came forward and offered his land at Waitara for sale to His Excellency. In doing so he placed a parawai (worked mat), at the Governor's feet, which His Excellency accepted. This ceremony, according to native custom, virtually placed the lands in the hands of the Governor. Wiremu Kingi, before addressing the Governor, said to his people, "I will only say a few words and then we will depart," to which they assented. He then said, "Listen, Governor; notwithstanding Teira's offer, I will not permit the sale of Waitara to the Pakeha. Waitara is in my hands. I will not give it up; e kore, e kore, e kore--I will not, I will not, I will not. I have spoken." Then making use of an insulting expression towards His Excellency, he turned to his people and said, "Arise, let us go." Whereupon he and his followers abruptly withdrew.

Wiremu Kingi to the Governor.
"Waitara, 25th April, 1859.
"Sir:--Salutations to you. Your letter has reached me about To Teira and Te Retimana's thoughts. I do not agree to our bed-room being sold--I mean. Waitara, for this bed belongs to the whole of us; and do not you be in haste to give the money. Do you hearken to my word. If you give the money secretly you will get no land for it; you may insist, but I will never agree to it. Do not suppose that this is nonsense on my part; no, it is true, for it is an old word; and now I have no proposal to make, either as regards selling or anything else. All I have to say to you, 0, Governor, is that none of the

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land will be given to you, never, never, till I die. I have heard it said that I am to be imprisoned because of this land. I am very sad because of this word. Why is it? You should remember that the Maoris and Pakehas are living quietly upon their pieces of land, and therefore do not disturb them. Do not also say that there is no one so bad as myself. This is another word to you, O, Governor. The land will never, never, be given to you, not till death. Do not be anxious for men's thoughts. This is all I have to say to you.--From your loving friend,

"WIREMU KINGI WHITI."

In December, 1859, a native called Waitere, from Rangitikei, an active agent of the King movement, called at Waitara on his way to the South, and left secretly a King's flag with a native called Erueti, a miscreant, who at one time proposed to murder Mr. Parris, and who did a great deal of mischief in the district. As soon as Wi Kingi found that this flag had been left there, he accused those who sanctioned the transaction with acting treacherously to him, and finding some of his own people favorable to it he threatened to leave the district. This caused a division in the party, and Wi Kingi left the Waitara, and went to live with Te Ito, near the Waiongona, while the other party retained the flag, bearing thereby allegiance to the Maori King, and set about preparing a flagstaff. Two old men, Tamati Ruru, and Rawiri Raupongo, declared they would lose their lives rather than allow the flagstaff to be erected on their lands.

On Tuesday, 29th November, 1859, Mr. Parris paid Te Teira and others an instalment of £100 for their lands at Waitara. On the preceding Friday Mr. Parris went to Waitara and informed Wi Kingi of his intentions, who on the 29th came into New Plymouth with a party of about thirty to oppose the payment. In the presence of a large number of Europeans Mr. Parris put the following questions to him and received the corresponding replies, calling the Rev. John Whiteley to be witness:--

Q. Does the land belong to Teira and his party.

A. Yes, the land is theirs, but I will not let them sell it.

Q. Why will you oppose the selling of that which is their own,

A. Because I do not wish for the land to be disturbed, and although they have floated it, I will not let it go to sea.

Q. Show me the justice or correctness of your opposition.

A. It is enough, Parris, their bellies are full with the sight of the money you have promised them, but do not give it to them; if you do, I will not let you have the land, but will take it and cultivate it myself.

On Monday, 20th February, 1860, Mr. Parris, with Mr. O. Carrington and Mr. Hursthouse, of the Survey Department, and one of the armed police force, proceeded to Waitara for the purpose of surveying the block of land sold by Te Teira and others to the Government. Arrived at the land to be surveyed, a party of 70 or 80 native men and women were found assembled, some of whom

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attempted, without success, to hinder the unpacking of the instruments, but when the chain was thrown out they effectually prevented any vise being made of it. The obstruction was managed in the least objectionable way possible. The Maoris laid hold of the middle of the chain and so disturbed the measuring, and the surveying party finding it vain to persist farther, forthwith returned to town. Subsequently a communication from the authorities was made to Kingi, giving him twenty-four hours to apologise for the obstruction offered by his people, and to notify the relinquishment of his opposition to the survey. To this Kingi returned an answer to the purport that he did not desire war; that he loved the white people very much, but that he would keep the land. On the 22nd of February the Proclamation of Martial Law was published by Colonel Murray. It was published both in the English and Maori languages, and extended over the whole Province. On the 1st of March the Governor arrived from Auckland with extra troops, and immediately sent a message to Kingi requesting that, to prevent misunderstanding, he would come into town and learn the Governor's intention, and offering him a safe conduct. After a long conference with the Governor's messengers he said he would either come or send his final decision to the Governor the next day, but on the following day he sent a letter declining to come. On the 5th March the troops were marched down to Waitara and occupied a position on the disputed block. On the 13th and 14th Te Teira and his party pointed out the boundaries of the land. On the night of the 15th a pa was built by Kingi's people on the disputed block. The next day they pulled up the survey pegs and burnt them. On the 17th March the conflict began. Kingi being no warrior himself, fell to the rear, and his relative, Hapurona, became his fighting general. Kingi and his general wrote to Waikato for help, and their letter was immediately responded to by the arrival of Te Wetini Taiporutu and other men of note at the scene of conflict. After the war had been carried on for twelve months, Kingi's party and their Waikato allies met with a signal defeat at the Huirangi redoubt, upon which Hapurona submitted to the British, and signed articles of peace on the 8th of April, 1861. At this time Wi Kingi was safe in Waikato. After the peace Kingi returned and lived for ten years a secluded life in the inland native district of Ngatimaru. After this long seclusion he ventured to town and was present at a native gathering and feast, after which he went to Parihaka, a Taranaki stronghold, 33 miles south of New Plymouth, and took up his abode with the Chief and Prophet, Te Whiti, who teaches the Maoris that they are Israel, and the British Pharaoh and the Egyptians who enslave Israel. Since then Wi Kingi has been living at Ngatimaru, near the head waters of the Waitara. In the prime of his life Wi Kingi was about six feet three inches in height, and proportionately stout. His physiognomy was heavy and disagreeable, and his character that of a blusterer and a coward.


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