STORIES OF THE PENINSULA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 551, 25 October 1881, Page 2

STORIES OF THE PENINSULA.

No. 6;— George Hejipleman's Latteu

Days and Death,

From his earliest residence in the Peninsula, in the year 1835, up till some years after the arrival of the Canterbury Pilgrims, George Hempleman kept a very minute diary of all his doings. A great deal of it consists of unimportant matters, being a record of the everyday work of the men and the state of the weather. There are occasional entries, however, with regard to the squabbles with the Natives and his dealings with them, that are of great interest, and in subsequent issues it is intended to publish a series of extracts.

. .He seems to have had a great dislike and contempt for .the Maories. He kept several Native servants, who were practically in a state of slavery, and he used to ill-treat these so badly, that the severe thrashings he administered reached the ears of the Government, and on the visit ef the Britomart to Akaroa, Captain Stanleywho was in command of that vessel, ordered him on board, with the whole of his dependents, and read an official letter to him? warning him against his proceedings, and informing him that if the cruelty were continued, steps would be taken to punish him severely. It is nol known whether this remonstrance had very much effect, and no one knew that he had received such a document till it was found after his death amongst his papers. There were, however, some excellent traits in his character. Hβ was twice married, his first wife being a German, who died at Peraki and was buried there. His second wife, who lived in German Bay with him, suffered severely from illness, being bed-ridden for many years, and during the whole of that time Hompleman nursed her with a tenderness which surprised those who knew the many asperities of his character. He was born at Altona, the principal city of SohleswigHolstein in 1779, and died on February 13, 1880, being therefore 81 years of age, at his decease. He was a sailor by profession, and being of humble origin had to go before the mast, gradually rising, till in 1835 ho had the command of a whaling brig, which cam© here on a cruise from Sydney. In that year he left a party of whalers in Peraki, and on his return from Sydney in a few months, he irudo his celebrated purchase from Bloody Jack and the other natives, particulars of which we have already recorded.

Hempleman lived at Peraki for many years, but afterwards removed to German Bay. The last few years of his life, were spent in the hospital, this matter having been arranged by the Government for l.is greater comfort. Whilst there, he met with an accident which was undoubtedly the primary cause of his death, for his iron frame would otherwise have probably enabled him to continue his conflict with the Government np to the present time. It appears that a follow rusident at the Hospital named McGregor, in n fit of insanity, seized hold o'. old Hemplcman, pulled him out of bed and threw him on the fender, giving him a very severe slinking, ami inflicting other severe injuries. From this time Hemplemau never fully recovered, the List days of his life beiiitf occupied in preparing his case, which the Government iiad arranged should be heard before the Middle Island Native Land purchases R >yal Commission, consisting of Messrs T. H. Smith and F. E. Nairn, who were to hold, their sitting early in March. Mrlzard was to have appeared for Hempleman, but it was destined that before the .Court sat he'should have passed away. lOfi'Friday, February-13, when; visitirig his old friend , M. Malmanche at his orchard, he suddenly feil and expired whilst eating a peach. Hempleman was a-remarkable looking man. Firm determination was expressed in every lineament, from his prominent nose to his iron chin. His frame was a fitting adjunct to such a head, being large, square, and bony, showing a great power of endurance. He was well known all over the provincial district, and was very gonial, being very fond of company, and never tired of repeating bin stones of bye gone days. He was very exact in these narrations, seldom varying in any important point. Like most old whalers he was fond of a glass, and occasionally exceeded, his favorite beverage being rum. He was enthusiastically fond of the sport of pig hunting, and his gaunt figure was usually accompanied by a pair of great brindled bull and mastiffs,and a long stick. When overcome he liydo.wnfora sleep, these dogs would not let a soul approach, and sometimes stopped people from passing along the road. One strange peculiarity of bis was, that he had totally forgotton hie own language, not being able to understand a single word of German, which he must have .solely spoken til! he was 25 or 26 years.of age. He wan continually travelling to Wellington during the session, to urge bin claims, and his figure was nearly as well known in the lobbies of the house as that of the Premier. The [Ton Mr Mantell was an earnest advocate of HompleinnnV, dahnsand took u great dcai of trouble in the matter. During Jlemplemen's visits to Wellington he used t>; spund afewdaj's with his friends in Chirstchurch on the way, and during ones of these visits, whilst resting on one of the p.-irapets of the Victoria Bridge. lie fell over into the river and was locked up for attempted suicide. The police, however, noon dis covered that Hempleinen .was not the sort of man to swallow any quantity of cold water voluntarily, and allowed him to proceed on hi? way to Lytteiton. He bequeathed bis wretched legacy of defeated claims to a. granddaughter, named Miss Kate Welsh, who has, we learn, been advised that nho has a claim, but understand, she has no intention of pronecutiii'r it. So ends the story of George Hempleman's claim.