AN OLD SETTLER'S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 33, 2 November 1917, Page 4

AN OLD SETTLER'S DEATH

SOME EXCITING EXPERIENCES RECALLED. (By TeleErauh—Succlal Correspondent.) Wanganui, November 1. The life of Mr. John Jones, whose death has just taken place, was full of exciting experiences, not the least being a voyage ho made to Fiji with the notorious pirate, • Captain "Bully" Hayes, l'or whose capture a reward of JiIOOO was offered. Hayes, whoso identity was unknown in this part of the world, came to AVanganui with the sclioonar Shamrock, a vessel of about GO tons register, which ho had chartered. A re-charter was arranged with Mr. Jones and the late "Lawyer" Roberts, for a trip to Fiji, with a shipment of cattle, the former going as supercargo, accompanied by a son of bis partner in the transaction. While at Levuka 'the two Wanganui boys were the witnesses of a cannibal feast, and not until they wore asked to participate did they realise to their Horror that human flesh was being eaten. In return for tho cattle the 6chooner was laden with fruit and l'ljian curios, the latter being the principal On arrival off Wellington tho bar was found to be dangerous, but this did not deter Mr. Jones from essaying a landing with & boat. The boat's company coileisted of Mr. Jones, young Roberts, and three Fijians (a man and two women). Immediately after leaving 'he schooner the boat capsized in the heavy seas, and the inmates clung'to tha upturned craft for a time. It was deemed advisable to ewim for it, but iu the attempt Roberts was drowned, tho others reaching terra firm a after a hard struggle. Most of tho curios were afterwards sold to the Into Sir Walter Buller, though for years afterwards many others could be seen adorning the walls and mantelpieces of the settlers' homesi hero. It may also bo mentioned that Bully Hayes took a shipment of horses from Wanganu.i on the occasion of his second visit, and that was the last seen of lnm h Another very interesting incident recalled is tho Kai Iwi-Nukumaru campaign, for which Mr. Jones was meniion, m 1 in dispatches. Several bullock . toa> ™| of tho commissariat section had strayed from camp into the bush at Kai Iwi, Mid got into the hauds of tho Natives. The latter tied somo of them to trees and lay in ambush. Mr. Jones and another trooper set out to release tho bullocks. They left their horses on the edgo o< the bush, ■ and whilo in tho act of tutting the animals free the Natives rushed them. Mr. Jones had some in reaching his horse and was n ttß °kcd by a pursuing Native, whom he shot dead and although other Natives were in hot pursuit he grabbed ft handsome mat from the dead Native's body and Bucceeded in reaching opeta - cou ? f r /n where he was protected by he fire of the snUliors who had com© to tho rescu.o. } Tho deceased was ono of Wangamns oldest settlers, and his sister wasi the first white child born in' J £ ( v/! where sho was afterwards called by the Natives "The Queen of . T,l ° family camo to Wanganui in 1811.