THE FOUNDATION OF TARANAKI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4462, 7 June 1930, Page 1

THE FOUNDATION OF TARANAKI.

(■Concluded from page 3). ning of a hundred years ago that all his streets were there to-day and the names lie gave them also remained to this day. He did not experience any trouble from Ihe -Natives who at this lime numbered some thirty odd only and lived in holes in live 'Sugar Loaves all (lie lime tearing attacks from the Waikato people. The only white men he i ncountered was a W esleyan Missionary named Creed. The Plymouth Company in England meanwhile were arranging tor iinmigranls to come out to New Zealand. Regulations were issued and a selection made. Free passages were granted immigrants unable to pay their way provided they were guaranteed. The first boat to arrive at the now settlement was the William Bryan of 312 tons which’ brought out a complement of labourers to prepare the settlement. Next came the Amelia Thompson with settlers who,went into occupation of the newly erected huts in Devonport, the site of the present Hals of that name in New Plymouth in-day. The Regina brought the overflow of luggage but was wrecked mi the Taranaki coast which impressed on all concerned the need for a good harbour. The Oriental also brought out more settlors, but in 1.841 the Plymouth Company found itself in financial difficulties and applied for assistance to the N.Z. Company. The parent body was also in financial straits but an amalgamation was finally effected. In 1842 the Taranaki settlers had in face starvation. A had season was experienced, the Taranaki had

had name and few boats would visit ihere. Tn some instances setI iers were dependent solely on food Ilicv could purchase from visiting \ essels. Wages fell until the men were receiving for a week’s work

wlial they formerly earned in a day. Then in 1842 the slaves taken to the Waikato during the early invasions ill' Taranaki were liberated as a resell of the spread of Christianity amongst the northern tribes and i iinimeneed to find their way back. When they arrived in Taranaki they discovered (heir land occupied hv oilier people. They caused a little I rouble by roofing up crops and pulling down fences and on more I han one occasion the settlor had lo arm themselves hut nothing serious eventuated at 'the time. Carrington prophesied, however, that lhere would he trouble and twenty years later il came in the Maori War whieh although it had its immediate cause in the Waitara dispute was led up to by (he fact that Ihe Natives had not been paid half I lie amount agreed on for the pnrehnso of the land. The Jewess was dispatched from Wellington with a cargo of goods to placate the Natives during the early dispute hut l In- ship was wrecked off Ihe coast of Kapiti and never reached ils destination. The remainder of the • purchase money" was sold by auc- ! ion in Wellington. The Maoris never forgot their treatment over the purchase of Taranaki and the other lands and finally this indirectly led up In the Maori War.