THE FIRST WHITE MEN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1933, 16 December 1913, Page 12

THE FIRST WHITE MEN.

TO EXPLOIT WANGANUI. Tho history of tho white man in ■ respect to Wanganui goe6 back further than most people suppose. As far as is recorded the first boat to enter the Waiiganui Itiver arrived during January, 1831 —82 yoads ago. The occupants of the boat were four white men and a negro, who had.como up tho coast' from Kapiti Island, then a rather important whaling station, with the object of trading with tho Natives, who in those days peopled tho banks of the Lower Wanganui River in considerable numbers, and who liked the pakeha's gecgaws, his beads, his fishhooks, and his guns, just as any of tho other Soutli Sea Islanders did. The little company were hospitably received at first, but subsequently trouble arose, and through three of the four whites metaphorically losing 'thoir heads, they lost them in grim reality, and that same evening "long pig" figured on the menu of tho chief restaurant in the Putiki Pa. The other two, it is believed, did not favour the loealty long afterwards, but returned whence they had come, sadder and wiser. In 1840 the New Zealand Land Company acquired a considerable area or land in and around Wanganui, but its title was disputed by tho Natives, who drove off tho first white settler. For some years there was much hostile feeling between the Natives and whites, with an occasional murder and robbery to promote hatred and distrust. This kind of feud was kept up until July 19. 1847. when a real clash took place at St. John's Hush, in which thero were killed and wounded on both sides. That practically cleared the air, and led to a. much better-feeling between Maori ami palteha. As the years went oil the local Natives bccamo "friendlies" to tho Imperial troops, and fought well and bravely against the fierce invading Ha.ulmus, notably at Moutoa Island, up the rivar.