1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1816 - New Zealand--Church Missionary Society, p 327-332

Before my final departure from New Zealand, I wished to obtain and secure, as far as possible, a Legal Settlement for the Europeans whom I should leave upon the island. For this purpose, application was made to the two Nephews of the late Tippahee, who were proprietors of the ground which the Europeans at present possess, and of the adjoining town of Ranghee Hoo; to know if they would sell that piece of land upon which we had begun to build, and increase the quantity at first marked out for the buildings. They were related to Duaterra. I went along with them and the Settlers, to point out the boundaries of the land which they were willing to dispose of, and purchased it on account of the Church-Missionary Society. We could not ascertain the exact quantity, for want of proper measuring instruments; but, as it is situated between some natural boundaries expressed in the Grant, I considered that circumstance of no moment. I apprehend it to contain more than 200 acres.

The Grant was made out and executed, and the land publickly set apart for the Europeans, on Friday the 24th of February, 1815, in the presence of a number of Chiefs from different Districts, who were assembled at Ranghee Hoo, to take their leave of the Active.

I took this opportunity of apprising the Chiefs, that as the land now belonged to the Europeans, they were all at full liberty, without any hindrance, to come from any part of New Zealand, for things which they might want to purchase, or have manufactured. I further told them, that the Smith should make them axes, or hoes, or any other tools of which they might stand in need; but that he was, on no account, to repair pistols, or muskets, or to make any warlike instruments, not even for the greatest Chief upon the island.

Ahoodee O Gunna, one of the Chiefs of whom I had purchased the land, publickly declared. that the land was no longer theirs, but the sole property of the White People, and that it was "tabooed" for their use.

The signature of the Grant, or Deed, contains all the lines which are tatooed on the Chiefs face, according to their singular and curious mode of making thereon drawings and figures.

Three days previous, Mrs. King had been delivered of a fine boy, who was brought out and publickly baptized, at the same time when the Deed was executed upon this newly-purchased land.

All these circumstances, at such a juncture, were peculiarly interesting to us, and will be long remembered by the Natives.

The price paid for the land was TWELVE AXES! Ahoodee O Gunna is a very sensible man, and extremely partial to Europeans. He is the chief man in Ranghee Hoo, where the Settlers reside. It is

the largest and most populous town that we met with, containing upwards of two hundred huts. The wife of the Chief is also a pleasant woman, and had greatly improved in her appearance and cleanliness before we came away; and devoted much of her time in assisting the European Women in any thing which she could do. Ahoodee O Gunna requested I would send him a suit of clothes to wear on the Sabbath, as he did not like to attend Divine Service in his native dress, thinking it improper; which I promised to do.

Know all men to whom these presents shall come, That I, Ahoodee O Gunna, King of Ranghee Hoo, in the Island of New Zealand, have, in consideration of Twelve Axes to me in hand now paid and delivered by the Rev. Samuel Marsden, of Parramatta, in the territory of New South Wales, given, granted, bargained, and sold; and by this present instrument do give, grant, bargain, and sell unto the Committee of the Church-Missionary Society for Africa and the East, instituted in London, in the kingdom of Great Britain, and to their heirs and successors, all that piece and parcel of land situate in the district of Hoshee, in the Island of New Zealand, bounded on the south side by the Bay of Tippoona and the Town of Ranghee Hoo, on the north side by a creek of fresh water, and on the west by a public road into the interior; together with all the rights, members, privileges, and appurtenances thereunto belonging; To have and to hold, to the aforesaid Committee of the Church-Missionary Society for Africa and the East, instituted in London, in the kingdom of Great Britain, their heirs, successors, and assigns, for ever, clear and freed from all taxes, charges, impositions, and contributions whatsoever, as and for their own absolute and proper estate for ever:

In testimony whereof, I have, to these presents thus done and given, set my hand, at Hoshee, in the Island of New Zealand, this twenty-fourth day of February, in the year of Christ one thousand eight hundred and fifteen.

Previous to quitting Port Jackson, (he says), I had left Messrs. Kendall, Hall, and King, at liberty to lay in what articles of trade and other necessary comforts they might think proper; as I was ignorant, at that time, of the local situation and of many other circumstances connected with the intended Settlement.

After I had been at New Zealand some time, and made my own observations, I was convinced that it would be very unwise to allow any of the Settlers to trade with the Natives on their own account; as it would unavoidably lay a sure foundation for personal jealousies and differences among the Settlers, and was also likely to be productive of bad consequences among the Natives. The Settlers would be under strong temptation to take advantage of the ignorance of the Natives in the way of trade, if they were to reap the profits; and one Settler would have more means, as well as natural ability, to enrich himself, than another, by commerce; which would be productive of what the Apostle calls bitterness, envyings, and evil surmisings among them.

In order to guard against these serious evils which might defeat the views of the Society, I spoke to the Settlers upon the subject, and told them my opinion, and that I could not allow them to have any private trade whatever: and, in order that they might have no just cause of complaint, that I would pay them for all the articles of trade which they had brought with them, as well as for all the tea, sugar, and necessaries which they had laid in for the use of their families; and that they should be allowed a given ration of what they wanted (clothes excepted) per week, till I had submitted this matter to the consideration of the Society, and had received their instructions upon it. A copy of their weekly ration I have the honour to inclose for the information of the Society, and shall be obliged by receiving their directions for my future guidance. The Settlers, for this indulgence, were to purchase from the Natives whatever articles of commerce they might bring for sale, on account of the general concern; the profits of which, when sold, would go towards defraying the expenses of the vessel, or the support of the Settlement.

This plan some were not prepared to sanction, without a little hesitation; but I found it absolutely necessary, in the infant state of the Settlement especially, and it was at length finally adopted. The Settlers were all equal in authority: they had no head: and even good men, when left without a guide, are not always likely to do what is right. There are comparatively few men who are capable, of thinking for themselves; and, so far as my experience of human-nature extends, I think that good men should always be prevented from doing wrong, as well as the bad, when this can be done. I further told them I would allow them five per cent, upon the net proceeds of whatever cargo the Active might bring to Port Jackson. I am happy to say I left them all satisfied, and each in his proper station; and I think they will do well.

The following persons were left at Ranghee Hoo--Mr. and Mrs. Kendall, a servant, and three boys; Mr. and Mrs.

Hall, and one boy; Mr. and Mrs. King, and two boys: these belonging to the Society. One pair of sawyers and a blacksmith, bound for a fine. Mrs. Hanson and her son remained on their own account: Mr. Hanson, sen. commands the Active. I have since sent over the wives of the smith and one sawyer, (the other being a single man), and two children. I also left three runaway convicts with the Settlers, to assist them till the Active returned, and took three away with me; having met with six at New Zealand. The total number of Europeans at Ranghee Hoo, including men, women, and children, is twenty-five.

I cannot ascertain, as yet, what will be the charge of supporting this establishment. --As soon as the necessary buildings are erected, and the Settlement formed, it will be reduced. The Settlers will soon be able to raise grain for their own support, and animal food will not be expensive. They will want continual supplies of tea, sugar, &c; and, as their privations must unavoidably be many, I have no doubt but the Society will cheerfully administer every aid that may tend to lessen their weight and number.

I am not much afraid but that the Settlers will do their duty, being now upon their Station; and I feel satisfied with them all.

I found Duaterra dangerously ill. This was a very distressing circumstance to me. I called to see him; but the superstition of the Natives would not permit me. His people had fixed a guard about him, and would suffer no person to approach. He was so very ill, that they expected him to die in a short time. I entreated them, time after time, for two or three days together, to admit me to see him; but they had "tabooed" the inclosure in which he lay, and dared not admit any person in to him. I was very much mortified, and understood that he was to have nothing to eat or drink for five days. I went again to the people that attended him: they would only speak to me through the fence, and still refused me admittance. I then told them I would bring the Active near the town, and blow it up, if they would not admit me. They said, if I thought proper, I might: and, finding I could neither persuade them by entreaties, nor intimidate them by threats, I went to the Chief, a nephew of Tippahee, who possessed the greatest influence and principal authority in the place, and told him how I had been refused admittance to see Duaterra for several days, and that Duaterra had neither wine, tea, sugar, rice, nor bread; all which he had been used to; and that if he did not get these nourishments, he would die. I further told him, that I was determined to fire the big guns belonging to the Active on the town, as soon as I went on board. He expressed his concern that they would not allow me to see him; and desired me to go with him, and see what could be done. When he approached near the inclosure, he seemed much alarmed, walked very slowly, and whispered as if he expected some divine judgment to come upon him: he made signs to some of the attendants who spoke to him through the fence, and pointed out to them what destruction the guns would make in the town, and that there was no guarding against them, as they could not be seen. After several consultations with those along with Duaterra, and the messengers who came with the Chief, permission was granted for my admission.

When I entered the inclosure, I found Duaterra lying on his back, facing the sun, which was intensely hot, in a high fever, his tongue very foul, violent pains in his bowels, and, from every appearance, not likely to survive long. I found two of his wives with him, his father-in-law, the priest, and several attendants. He was very much pleased that I had come to see him. I asked him if he had any thing to eat or drink: he replied he had not, excepting potatoes and water. I told him, whatever he wanted he should have; and ordered him a supply of tea, sugar, rice, and wine: he expressed his gratitude. I ordered some wine and water to be got for him as soon as possible, part of which he took. He also ate some

rice and took some tea, and seemed a little revived.

It had been his intention to lay out a new town, with regular streets, to be built after the European mode; in which, ground was to be set apart for a Church. I had gone to examine it before. The situation was delightful, on a rising hill in front of the harbour's mouth, distant about eight miles, and commanding all the harbour. He again mentioned his intention to me, and hoped he should be better, so as to have the town marked out before I sailed. I told him I should be ready to attend him, and hoped to see him recover, and recommended him to take what nourishment he could.

They now gave me permission to see him at all times. I called the following day, and found he spoke much better, and entertained hopes of his recovery. The day after, he appeared worse; but was supplied with all the necessaries he could wish, by Messrs. Kendall, Hall, and King, who willingly offered to do all they could for him. Whatever vessels were taken with refreshments for Duaterra, we were obliged to leave: the people said, if they were removed, Duaterra would die. He was himself of that opinion: --so strongly rooted is superstition in the human mind, when once admitted!

I had met with every thing in New Zealand to my full satisfaction; and nothing to give me pain but the present affliction of Duaterra; which was to me very distressing, as upon the wisdom, zeal, industry, and influence of this serviceable man, I calculated for many advantages to New Zealand. My hopes were now likely to be blighted, as I could entertain little expectation of his restoration. I know Infinite Wisdom cannot err. What the Great Head of the Church ordains to be done, will in the end be best; but as David mourned for Abner, I shall long mourn for Duaterra, should he be carried off by death; for as a great man fell in Israel, when Abner died, so will a great man fall in New Zealand, should Duaterra not survive his present affliction.

So far as natural causes can be considered to operate, I attribute Duaterra's sickness to his exertions. He was a man of great bodily strength, with a very active and comprehensive mind; and, on his return to New Zealand, he exerted himself day and night to carry the plans which he had formed into execution. His grand object was agriculture. He calculated, that, in two years, he should be able to raise sufficient wheat for all his people, and to supply other Chiefs with seed; and, in a short time, to export some to Port Jackson, in exchange for iron, and such other articles as he might want. With this view he had visited his different lands for near forty miles distant, from Ranghee Hoo, and had laid out the grounds which he intended to clear and cultivate; and had marked out the work for his men, having first inquired of me how much ground a man broke up per day at Port Jackson. He was seldom at home, but constantly at his farms, excepting when he went with me to the River Thames.

Under all these circumstances, I fear he will be a great loss to his country. One consolation he has bequeathed to them, however, is that of having introduced agriculture, and paved the way for the civilization of his countrymen.

When he came to New South Wales last August, in the Active, he brought his half-brother with him, and left him with me, desiring he might be instructed in useful knowledge. He is now about sixteen years of age, and is a very fine and intelligent youth, exceedingly well disposed, and truly industrious. This youth is next in authority, and will succeed Duaterra in his estates. I intend him to remain till he speak the English Language, and gain the knowledge of agriculture. He is every day at work, either as carpenter or farmer; and I entertain hopes, in the event of Duaterra quitting this mortal life, that he will soon be able to fill his place. I have also a person instructing him to read a little, before he returns.

I trust that, in all these mysterious dispensations, Divine Goodness is preparing a way for these poor Heathens to be brought into the Church of Christ; and that if one instrument fails, another will be provided; and that we may act in the spirit of Abraham in the day of his trouble, when he said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering.

On Friday the 24th of February, the Active was ready for sea; Duaterra still continuing apparently in a dying state. My time being limited by Governor Macquarrie's orders, I could not remain

to see the event of his sickness. I was happy in the consideration, that those whom I left behind would cheerfully administer to all his wants, and would do every thing in their power to restore him to health; as they were all very kind to him, and anxious for his preservation.