DEATH OF MR TAPSELL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 98, 9 August 1873, Page 3

DEATH OF MR TAPSELL.

We yesterday received intelligence from Maketn °f \f C J eatll ,( w!uch occurred on the previous day) of Mr lapsed sen., one of ibo oldest settlers in the colony, who visited New Zealand more than two generations ago, when the only white inhabitants consisted of missionaries stationed at ne Bay of Islands, and one or two fugitives from whaling ships, who had taaen up their abode amongst natives in the interior. Mr Taosell whose real name was Hans Homen Falk"' by birth a Lane, and son of an official under the Laima Government, was, to the best of his own recollection, born m the year 1777, consequently he must at the period of ids death have reached tae aavanced age of 06, a surprising circumstance when h, 9 eventful life of hardships and peril a > considered. His maritime experiences commenced with the war m which bis own country was engaged against England. When of a<m sutileumt, he obtained command'of a privateerin'* cutter, succeeding so well as in a short time to be promoted to a large barque. While ar anchor off iiismore, abreast of the English fleet moored on the opposite side of the Sound, a nioiit attaek was made by man of war bolds to cut out the privateer. The boats’ crews were beaten off' with great kus, but Tapsell received a sabre wound which nearly cost him his life, the effects of which he felt to the last. His ship was afterwards taken by the Swedes, and ho remained a ‘prisoner for eleven months. After two futile attempts at escape, he recovered his liberty by an exchange of prisoners. By and bv ha found himself in England, where he 'took the name of Phillip Tapsoll, for the purpose of obtaining employment in British vessels, which were not allowed to carry ofikffus of any other nations. From this period begins his wha!in» voyages, full of incidents, during one of the earliest of woieh lie bad occasion to put into the Bay of Islands, even then, as now/ a resort for ships seeking supplies of wood and water. Mr lapsed's descriptions of those early of primitive New Zealand, where cannibalisn/prevaiied, were extremely interesting. It is between 40 and 50 years ago that Tapseli’s concern in the capture of a runaway convict ship, led by a train of circumstances, to his permanent settlement on the island as a trader on behalf of some Sydney mevciuint. He chose alaketu as his station, which place he purchased from Mori Tupuea, to whom it bad been awarded at a great council of tribes. At his invitation the Ngatiwhakuwa and Ngatipikiao (A raw a) came down from .Rotorua and settled at Maketu. Here Mr 'Lapsed became a great cnief, and prospered exceedingly, until be was burnt out by an invasion from Waikato and Lauranga Of bis flight, his subsequent settlement at Whakatane, or his shipwreck, it is impossible here to speak. It may suffice to say that a life of almost unprecedented adventure and occasional prosperity, terminated in an old age of dependence, soothed, however, by too affection of dutiful eons, under whose roofs he broke bread in his declining age. Mr Tapsel! was remarkable for firmness and intrepidity. Though in his prolonged sojourn he had acquired a large experience, it was not the knowledge to be gained from books, or the graceful amenities of social life, but rather the stern and uoconciliating wisdom of an ancient warrior. Nevertheless, be was kindly, affectionate, and, when he had the opportunity, open-handed to a fault. It is pleasing to have to record that in his late years he imbibed a strong devotional feeling, and, in the retirement which his growing infirmities enforced, be read bis Bible several hours every day. Never did be sit down to his frugal meal without shading his face with his trembling baud and imploring a Divine blessing. Such as lie was he is gone to his rest. Few have passed through similar ordeals, and fewer still have been eoually purifit-d by the process.