FIRST N.Z. FARMER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 35, 30 March 1942, Page 2

FIRST N.Z. FARMER

SAMUEL MARSDEN'S WORK

Samuel Marsden, pioneer missionary of New Zealand believed that agriculture and stock-raising would divert into productive channels the fierce energy of Maori chiefs which expressed tself in destructive tribal wars. "No nation," he declared, "can be built up without commerce and the arts of civilisation." Wheat Grown by Maoris A year or two before his crossing of the Tasman, Marsden had sent a supply of seed wheat to Ruatara, The latter had seen wheat growing in New South Wales, and had become familiar also with the process of flour-milling when in Sydney. This wheat was duly sown on part of Ruatara's tribal land at the Bay of Islands. The venture excited the curiosity of the Maoris. They were incredulous at first when told that ship's biscuit, could be made (rem wheat. While Rutara raised the first wheat crop, Marsden's New South Wales farm supplied the seed, and the mill which ground the first corn was the gift of the missionary to the Maori chief. In 1814 Marsden purchased at his own cost the brig "Active" of 110 tons for £1400. Her first trip to the Bay of Islands was via Tasmania under the famous Irish seaman, Captain Dillon. This was by way of experiment. The chiefs proved' friendly, and eight—including the famous Hongi, Ruatara (his nephew), Koro Koro, and Tuhi —returned on her to Sydney and became Marsden's guests. These were also kindly treated by Governor Maequarric, who gave them each before returning the doubtful gift of a military uniform. A more useful present was that of a bull and two cows from the Government herd. A Modern Noah's Ark Marsden, with Captain Hansen in command, left Sydney in November, 3:9:14, sin his brig for the Bay of Islands. In the cabin were eight Maori chiefs, three missionaries—Hall, King and Kendall—with their wives and five children. Several smiths and sawyers were also on beard. The ship's bold was a miniature Noah's Ark. It carried one bull and two cows, one horse and two mares, a number of sheep and fowls. There was alsoi a good supply of fruittrees of various kinds, and seeds. After a voyage of twenty-one days the brig reached the Bay of Islands. Marsden had previously sent wheat to Ruatara and a steel hand mill. This doughty missionary, therefore, became in the' Dominion the pioneer of agriculture, of horticulture, of horse breeding, of the fruit, dairying, and poultry industries, and also of manufacture. The Maoris were astonished at the stock landed from the "Active." They had never seen four-footed anirhals larger than a pig. When Marsden mounted the horse and rode up and down the beach their delight knew no bounds. The "Active" in subsequent voyages brought further supplies of stock, seeds, and fruit trees across the Tasman, and Marsden also sent large supplies of spades, hoes and axes. But he was adamant that no guns, powder or rum should be carried, and that no weapon of war should be made or repaired at the Mission smithy.

The "Active" in subsequent voyages brought additional stock from Marsden's flocks and herds in New South Wales. Nine years after the inauguration of the mission, Marsden estimated that there were upwards of fifty cattle on the New Zealand mission stations: which belonged to him. His detractors in New South Wales spread the report that lie had large personal holdings and flocks in New Zealand. Marsden never owned a foot of land in the Dominion. He genei--ously presented all his stock in New Zealand to the Church Missionary Societl "for the comfort and support of their missionaries." When it is remembered that the price then current a cow was £80, it w?ll be seen that this was a noble contribution. But Marsden's disinterested generosity, knew no bounds. Industries Flourished The primary industries thus inaugurated flourished amazingly. In less than a generation some of the Maori chiefs became possessors of dairy herds and were successful agriculturists. In 1835 the famous naturalist, Charles Darwin, visited the Bay of Islands in H.M.S. Beagle. He wrote with enthusiasm of what he saw at Waimate: — "On an adjoining slope, fine crops (Continued in next column).

of wheat and barley were standing ! n full car: and in another part fields of potatoes and clover. But I cannot attempt to describe all I saw. There were' large gardens with every fruit and vegetable which England produces, and many belonging to a warmer clime. I may instance asparagus, kidney beans, cucumbers. rhubarb, apples, pears, figs, peaches, apricots, grapes, olives, gooseberries, currants, hops, gorse for fences, and English oats, and many kinds of flowers." Marsden's supreme aim was spiritual but in his judgment material things and daily occupations belonged to the Kingdom of God. He made seven voyages to New Zealand, and by his disinterested toils and sacrifices for everything that made for the welfare of the Maori race became their most trusted and revered friend, and still to-day, a century after his death, Samuel Marsden is enthroned in the affection and memory of the Maori people.^—N.Z. Journal of Agriculture.