EARLY DAYS IN MANAWATU.

Manawatu Herald, 5 April 1889, Page 2

EARLY DAYS IN MANAWATU.

(Contributed.) Before the purchase of the land' by the Government from the Native*, - a few settlers located themselves in the district, about the year 1844 — the Rev. Mr Duncan as a missionary to the Natives, Messrs Kebbell starting a mill at Haumearoa, Mr Cook at Paiaka, on the opposite side of the river, opening a store, and. Mr Bobinson taking a run for cattle* lower down the river. Aftei wardsMessrs H. and C. Symons settled at • uturoa. \ r

The Natives in those days w«el- ; corned the arrival of Europeans amongst them, and wern moat honest and trustworthy in all transactions between the settlers and themselves up to the time of the Wairau massacre, and the unfortunate wars that subsequently topk place. Before this collision of tke two races /the Natives exhibited great habits of industry, and a considerable trade was carried cm with tb,em. There were several thousand living on the-bithks of the river «t that time, Nearly every reaoh : I£s&' tween the mouth of the river and tha" Gorge haying its pah or settlement. An increasing demand arising for/ , wheat, potatoes, flax, wool-lashing,, rope, &c., in the Wellington market induced Mr Cook to build two schooners of about 40 tons each, theshipwrights being Mr F. Abel and Mr G. Nye. These two vessels, together with a third one launched from the seabea.-h by Mr Cook, where she had been wrecked, and the Messrs Kebbell, also with a view of aiding the trade of the Mauawatu,. purchased a schooner that traded regularly, and all these vessels were, loaded with produce every time they ■left for Wellington. Messrs Kebbeil after a time, finding so large a quantity of wheat grown, adapted their mill as a flour mill,' instea ' of timber, and were very successful up to the time of the Wairaa massacre.

Then came a time of danger to the settlers, and a general breaking up of the friendly relations between the two races, as Eangihaeta, with his armed followers, crossed the Straits and retreated to Porutawhao. The various tribes on the river in consequence abandoning their industrious pursuits. Kangihaeta apprehending an attack from the Government in : retaliation for the horrible nias- | sacre, sent several notices to the settlers to leave, on which Messrs Kebbell Cook. Hartley, and Comptori determined to proceed to the pah at Poroutawhao, and ascertain his meaning and intentions. He reiterated his orders that all the Europeans were to cave, and gave as a j reason that he would not be respon • sible for their safety, as he expected other tribes to join him from Waikato aud Taupo, to whom the Bettiers would be unknown, and hence their danger. The Government hearing of the critical state of affairs, chartered a schooner to take all those wishing to Wellington. All who had families availed themselves of the opportunity, excepting Messrs Cook and H. and 0. Symons, who chose to remain and take their chance. few months rolled on, and the Government, on inquiring into the cause of the catastrophy, either thought the Europeans the aggressors, or from State policy refrained from taking any action against those concerned in the massacre. Things gradually quietening down therefore, nearly all those who left returned. Since that time, and during the Taraiiaki, Waikato, and Wanganui wars, and the Maori King movement, the several tribes from the south side of the Wanganui Eiver to Wellington,, viz., the Ngatiraukawu'B, Mokukus, Ngatahapaj,