OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 227, 25 September 1928, Page 10

OBITUARY.

MR. CHARLES WILLIAMSON.

AN INTERESTING CAREER. FROM JOURNALIST TO LAND AGENT. CORRESPONDENT IN WAIKATO WAR. One of the old residents of the Nortl Shore, Mr. Charles Williamson, died ai his home, Belmont, last night. Ht would have attained the age of 92 years had he lived until November. Until quite recently Mr. Williamson enjoyed good health. He is survived by Mrs Williamson, and the following children: —Mr. Charles R. Williamson, Mr. Frank H. Williamson, Mr. Julius Williamson (Mayor of Takapuna), Mr. Albert B, Williamson (Vancouver), Mrs Warren Blyth (Va/icouver) and Mrs. H. Matthewman of Takapuna. Interment will be private on Thursday. Mr. Williamson was born at Bramhall a village near Manchester, England, on November 18, 1836. After leaving the Stockport Grammar School he was apprenticed at 17 years of age to the printing business. In November, 1861, he was engaged in England by Mr. Wm. Brown (of the old-established firm of Brown, Campbell and Co.) to leave for Auckland under a three years engagement to act as reader, compositor and assistant reporter on the "Daily Southern Cross" newspaper, which was leased by Messrs. Creighton and Scales. He arrived by the Robert Small in 1862. Beginning of War. The population of Auckland was then very small, and business comparatively quiet until about 1863, when the Maoris commenced war against the Europeans by murdering settlers in isolated backblocks. A married woman named Thompson was murdered near Helensville by a young Maori named Ruarangi, of the Ngatiwhatua tribe. These were friendly natives of the same Hapu, under the Chief Paul, as those resident at Orakei, adjoining Remuera. After lengthy negotiations with the chief and the ministrations of the Rev. Wm. Gittos, who was a missioner to the tribe, the natives agreed to surrender the alleged murderer if he was pointed out as the culprit, at a fixed meeting of the tribe, near Helensville. On the day before the appointed meeting. Sir Wm. Fox, Premier of New Zealr/nd, the Chief Paul and Mr. Williamson, started very early in the morning to ride out to Helensville and passed the now famous Hot Springs, steaming amongst the tall tea-tree, as being not worthy of recognition. Sleeping quarters had been arranged for the visitors at Mr. John McLeod's residence. On the appointed morning the Maoris were seen to have arranged themselves on a hillside in family groups. Sir Wnj. Fox, taking the hand of the grown-up daughter of Mrs. Thompson, headed the procession, followed by Chief Paul and settlers. The girl had passed three groups, when, looking back, she suddenly darted towards a young Maori who had his back towards her and his head screwed round as far as possible to hide his face. But the girl % knew him well enough. After murdering her mother, he had inquired for her, but the girl escaped on hands and knees through some tea-tree scrub, and carried her young baby sister, by gripping its clothes in her mouth with her teeth. The Chief Paul told the young man he was wanted. He was tried and hanged in due course. An unfortunate accident happened before the meeting. As a number of the neighbouring settlers, with guns, were marching in single file towards the meeting place, one was fatally shot through the back through his follower muddling with tha trigger of his gun. Enrolment of Militia. As the trouble spread with the Maoris, all males within what was considered a fighting age, were enrolled in the militia and volunteer companies. Mr. Williamson joined the No. 2 Rutland Volunteers, under Colonel Lyon. Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Matthews. and was called out for night duties at the various blockhouses in the Domain. Freeman's Bay and elsewhere. Other volunteers had to escort wagon loads of food to camps to Otahuhu, Drury and Mercer on the way to the Waikato. Many fine young colonists (mostly clerks from Auckland offices) lost their lives from exposure to long marches in all sorts of weather and heavy duties in having to discharge big load's of grain and fodder, horses and cattle feed and supplies for the troops. Those called out for night patrols had for the most part a pleasant time, being paid for attendance by the Government, and earned their usual week's pay for day work from their employers. The Maoris did not put in an-appearance at the Blockhouse in town, and as Mr. Henry Brett (having a very good voice) anil other members of the young Choral Society were regular attendants, song and story kept every member alive and sprightly through the night. One thing must now strike everyone who attended these meetings—there were no 'conscientious objectors in those days. War Correspondent. Mr. Williamson was called away from these gatherings to take up the duties of war correspondent, with the troops under General Sir Duncan Cameron, gradually working their way throu a the Waikato, where, unfortunately, "a very heavy toll was taken of the British and colonial forces. The very heavy fighting at Rangiriri was taking place as Mr. Williamson reached Mercer. The became very active on the Great South Road, and had shot down Captain Ring to advertise their appearance so far from the King Country. Small actions against the Maoris in isolated redoubts gradually took place and Hamilton was reached. The detachment that was left in charge of Hamilton was dealt with very generously by the Government in being granted town and country sections from the confiscated lands. After a move to Marigapiko, a small affair came off on a fine Sunday morning, which turned out badly for the Maoris. Early in the morning the troops descended to the Mangapiko stream to have their usual bath, and the natives rath&r misjudged the event as giving them an easy "job" to "pot" the whole of the bathers. The river had a peculiar run, shaped like a peai, leaving a small piece of land to allow the Maoris to creep down among the ti-tree opposite the bathing pool. The troops had been secretly warned of the impending attack and at an early hour in the morning placed an armed detachment in a commanding position. When the Maoris opened fire they were considerably ehooked to receive such a sudden return, over 100 being killed. As the bodies were recovered from the river— all naked —they were placed in a row on the river bank and given a covering of bracken fern by Bishop Selwyn, who had come up to hold service for the t*eoF«. LIL-I-I

March on Te Awamutu. It was reported that a large collection of potatoes and other food had been made by the Maoris at Ran to iawhia—a " settlement about four milee from Te Awamutu, and headquarters determined to make a trek across country to annex some of this very desirable property. A Maori guide was found, supposed to be well acquainted with the intervening country. After the guide had experimented by travelling over the ground in the dark, it was determined to make a night march to Te Awamutu and thence to Rangiawhia. Fortunately it was fine weather, and, everything being rei -ported handy for the march, they moved off in the gloaming. Some Maoris com- ! ing from their raupo whares to have their morning bath in the small lake, rushed back to their huts and, poking the gun barrels through the raupo sides, killed and wounded those who had ventured too near. Colonel Nixon was wounded in this way and died a few daye afterwards. A monument to his memory was afterwards erected at Otahuhu. A large number of Maoris were killed. Large stores of potatoes were found in pits and proved very acceptable to the soldiers. In getting his report of the fighting at Rangiawhia delivered at the "Cross" office in Auckland in a day's or more advance of the competing reporters, Mr. Williamson was very pleased, and wae congratulated by hie employers. There were three morning papers in Auckland at that time and two evening papers. Attack on Orakau. The attack upon the pa at Orakau commenced early in April, 1864, but only lasted three days. It was distant six miles from Tβ Awamutu and sheltered the great Chief Rewi Maniapoto and many of his followers, who had been driven southward by the British and colonial forces from many of their advance posts. In this business the Forest Rangers were invaluable. The pa was encircled by the troops and everybody present was convinced that it was only a question of a few days before the whole of the Maori "braves" would quietly surrender or be taken prisoners. But "the best laid plans of men and mice gang aft agley." From all round the pa the troops kept up a continuous rifle fire and this was the cause of many deaths and wounds for the Europeans and their horses, as the spent bullets came to earth (or flesh) on the opposite sides of the pa. Many of the troops also threw hand grenades in-to the pa and this form of attack became serious for the Maoris. During the morning the women and children were offered the chance of quitting the pa, but gave a quick refusal, saying, "We women can die with the men." On the afternoon two officers put up a flag and called upon the Maoris to surrender—or they would all be killed. If they surrendered they would be treated well, but the Chief Rewi Maniapoto replied at once with a brave defiance, "Friends, this is the word of the Maori: They will fight on for ever, for ever, for ever." Some have said this is the bravest response ever uttered in defiance of a call to surrender. Fighting was resumed after this refusal, the flying sap was pushed on more vigorously and the hand grenades fell "as thickly as leaves in Vallambrosa." All became suddenly quiet in the pa, and it was found the Maoris had made "a bolt for life and liberty." Seventeen Europeans were killed and 35 wounded; 130 Maoris were killed, 26 wounded and seven prisoners taken. It was discovered afterwards that most unfortunately a section of the surrounding soldiers had been withdrawn for other work—the making of fascines and gabions for the flying sap—and the Maoris had dropped on the very spot undefended. The Maoris had stolen quietly away. After this the troops were withdrawn to Auckland and sent to the West Coast, where much fighting took place. Mr. Williamson was then sent to Tauranga and reported the fighting at Te Ranga after the terrible fight a.t Gate Pa. Parliament having decided that the seat of Government should be removed to Wellington, Mr. Williamson was appointed Parliamentary reporter for the first session of Parliament held in that city, which lasted four months. Mr. Stafford was then Prime Minister. Becomes Manager. On the termination of the lease of the "Southern Cross" held by Messrs. Creighton and Scales the position of manager was offered to Mr. Williamson by Messrs. McKelvie and Wardrop (representatives of Messrs. Brown and Campbell) and accepted. Rome time afterwards Sir Julius Vogel, then Prime Minister of the colony, finding it necessary to have a newspaper to support his policy, bought the "Southern Cross" and retained Mr. Williamson as manager, leaving him in sole charge during Sir Julius' long absence in England, where he was floating Government loans for railways and attending to his Parliamentary duties at Wellington. Sir Julius proved to be a most generous employer. Owing to his continued absence from Auckland Sir Julius floated the "Daily Southern Cross" into a limited liability company, Mr. Williamson being still retained as manager and Mr. Warwick Weston being appointed managing director. After passing through the slump the general election for the return of a Superintendent for the Auckland Province was approaching when the directors disagreed as to supporting one of the two aspirants for the position. Start of "Auckland Star." Whilst on the "Cross" Mr. Williamson contracted to print the 'Auckland Star" for Messrs. G. M. Reed and W. Farrar; this only lasted for six weeks, when Mr. H. Brett purchased an interest and bought out Mr. Farrar. The printing of the "Star* , was then taken to Messrs. Jones and Bent, who had a printing office in Wyndham Street, and subsequently Messrs. Reed and Brett purchased the "Evening News" and printed the paper in the building now occupied by the "Observer." As Land Agent. In 1876 Mr. Williamson commenced business as an estate agent, and acted f' , * - irany with whom he had formerly had dealings when managing the "Southern Cross," and who continued to have dealings with him for many years. The business is still carried on in the city by two of his sons, Charles and Julius, and under their charge are some estates controlled by the founders in the 'seventies. The rate of interest on mortgages of country lands in those days was 12 J per cent upwards, and very few borrowers made default. Mr. Williamson was, of course, interested in the goldmining at the Thames in its palmy days.

After retiring Mr. Williamson made a world tour to visit the Chicago Exhibition, and seven years afterwards to the Paris Exhibition and the Near East. Mr. Williamson married Louisa, a daughter of Mr. Hampton, at that time a leading tailor in Shortland Street. Mrs. Williamson and her sister, Mrs. Flower, took prominent parts in the Choral Society and other musical events during the