MAORILAND REMINISCENCES.

NZ Truth, Issue 75, 24 November 1906, Page 7

MAORILAND REMINISCENCES.

EARTH HUNGER.

Government as a " Grabber."

" Confiscation."

Some Queer Tricks.

(By J.M.F.)

Before he got completely under the thumbs of his constitutional advisers, Colonel Browne in 'a despatch to the Secretary of State dated 20th September, 1859, summed up his experience thus:— Beside# mountain and forest there was m the North Island "some valuable land greatly m excess of the wants" of the Maoris. "The

EUROPEANS COVET THESE LANDS, and are determined to enter m and possess them— recte si possint, si non quocumque modo. This determination becomes daily more apparent." After that Colonel Browne adopted, possibly for peace sake, the land-views of his then responsible advisers. * * *

Governor Browne went to Taranaki m March, 1859, and was welcomed alike by Maori and European. The settlers thanked him for "his expressed anxiety to promote the further acquisition of land from the natives." He was open enough to tell the settlers that he would aid m that direction as far as he could do £o, "without compromising the neutrality which he had determined to observe m all native quarrels." The Governor further declared that he was "determined to remain entirely neutral m all native feuds, and to purchase no lands without the consent of all who had a claim to it."-

On March Bth, the. Maoris met the Governor. Te Rangitake was amongst them. Colonel Browne, through the mouth of the Native 'Secretary, Donald McLean, said that he would punish any violence committed by Pakeha or Maori within European boundaries. The dwellers within these boundaries applauded ; Te Rangitake, whose residence was elsewhere, was silent. Mr, C. -W. Richmond was present, but declared afterwards that he was not there officially. It was at this interview that the

LAND TROUBLE ON THE WAITARA

AROSE. A Maori named .Teira, Anglicised into Taylor, offered to 6ell some land on tho. south bank of the Waitara, and, prompted it was said and printed by those who wished to entrap Governor Browne, pressed for an immediate answer. The Governor replied that if a satisfactory title could be given he would accept the offer.

ANOTHER CHIEF, PATUKAKARDXI objected, but when questioned, admitted that | he had no claim to the land offered by "Taylor." Te Rangitake then rose, and while admitting that he had no claim to it said that he would never permit that land to be sold j then waving his hand to his people, he and they left the meeting "with some want of courtesy to myself," wrote Governor Browne. Prior to this, Te Rangitake had written to the Governor. "These lands will not be given by us into your hands, lest we become like the birds of the sea, which are resting on a rock. When the tide flows that rock is. covered by the sea. The birds fly away because there is no resting place for them. My word is not a new word; it is an old word. Governor Hobson heard it; Governor Fitzroy and Governor Grey; and when you came O, Governor Browne, my word was still the same. You, O Mr. McLean, are aware of that word of mine at the time of your first arrival here, when you saw me. The same was the word to you. I will not give you the land." „.' * - * ■ . ■■*.

Mr. Donald McLean and Mr. Richmond afterwards asserted that when "Taylor" threw a mat at Governor Browne's feet m token of

PARTING WITH HIS LAND, Te Rangitake was bound, by Maori custom, to pick it up if he objected to the sale. Such a plea was silly. His protest could not have been more emphatic. It was made clear to Governor Browne. In a letter published m 1861 appears this confirmation : "Renata Tamakihi Kurangf for the Ngatikakimgunu tribe declared: 'This is the Maoris' most emphatic mode of denial; to say his say, .get up and go, that it may be known I that he will never consent.' "

Nearly twenty years after Mr. Richmond averred that he attended the meeting merely as a spectator, and that m his belief only two Europeans m New Plymouth knew of "Taylor's", intention to offer the block. Mr. Richmond adds, "The Qovernor turned to McLean, and asked if he would accept the block. McLean said 'Yes, your Excellency, I think so.' The Governor then 6poke to me, asking, 'What do you say Richmond?' 1 replied, 'Certainly, sir, if there is a good title.' Then Teira was allowed to advance, and laid a mat at the Governor's feet." In the same paper Mr. Richmond scouted the idea that it was reserved for Sir George Grey'i agents to discover, m 1863, that Te Rangitake's. friends were resident on the block when Colonel Browne accepted it. Mr. Riohmond m 1878 wrote: "Everybody knew there were Pahs; Bell and I wrote an explanation showing that Te Rangitake's small pah was put up by consent of the selling party. Mr. Domett, Premier m 1863, wrote, "Jt is difficult to conceive tTTat 11*. these facts sad come out clearly at the time of 6ale, the practice universally followed (reservation of pahs, etc.) would not have been adhered to. They appear to have been overlooked through the discussions on the Waitara purchase."

In this connection the historian, Rusden (who appears to have been entirely wrapped up m the /interests of justice to the Maoris), says: "Only mental hallucination can account for the supposition that Mr. Richmond's explanation relieves him from moral, even of unintentional responsibility for the SEIZURE OF THE BLOCK. He was appealed to by the Governor, before the latter allowed Teira to make formal tender of the land. He was with Whitaker, consulted as a lawyer on the matter; and he knew that there were pahs upon the land. Nevertheless no steps were taken to adhere to what the Native Minister m 1863 (Mr. F. D. Bell) declared was the almost 'invariable practice,' i.e., to 'name the reserves m any deed of sale.' It is fair to consider Mr. Richmond's explanation, but it is necessary to decide that it m no way exculpates him. Donald McLean was AN ACCOMPLICE IN THE CRIME. He had m 1844 reported the good effect of Fitzroy's reversal of Spain's award. He had seen Te Rangitake's letter to Fitzroy, declaring m 1844, that Waitara should not be sold. Ho knew the tenacity of Te Rangitake to the land, and the causes of that tenacity. 'He had m * 1858 aided Colonel Browne m resisting the encroachment of the Ministry upon the functions of the Governor with regard to Maori affairs; but ho had found bhe masters of the purse too strong for an officer m hfe dependent position. His previous experience and principles were abandoned m 1859. He afterwards, on the plea of indisposition, left negotiation to Mr. Parris; but there were some who hinted that he wished to avoid complicity m a matter which m his heart, he knew to be wrong." ' *- * * In a despatch to the Swiary of State, Gover»*r 8r0w..-o eaid, "I veiifcur*, to think

obhXnJr? T* T dei ne g°tiation ban be obtained legitimately, and without breach that other tracts of land will be offered for " le \ and } S^H thus be able to satisfy the demands of all moderate men among the SS !r\ £% E £ oUfc the same time Cornel Browne told the Taranaki Provincial Council that he could not favor their "proposal to coerce a

MINORITY OP NATIVE PROPRIETORS who might be disinclined to sell their land." Yet the acquisition of land had been the absorbing topic at the Maori pakeha meeting at Taranaki.

In 1861 a resident published a narrative, m which he declared: "The most frequent topic of discussion with both natives and Europeans was about the land; and the boasting assertion was continually made by the latter, 'The Waitara will be ours before long.'

From Auckland the Assistant Native Secretary wrote Te Rangofeike (April 2, 1859)

that Teira's land would be bought by the Governor. "The Governor's rule js for each man to have the wood about his own land; that of a man. who has up claim will not be listened to. This is merely to let you know the word of the Governor, m answer to Te Teira's and Te Retimana's Jetter." Te Rangitake's own letter refusing to sell was set aside. But Te Rangitake was resolute.

SOME CALLED HIM STUBBORN. He wrote to Governor Browne (25/4/59): "Friend, salutations to you. Your letter has reached me about Te Teira's and Te Retimana's thoughts. I will not agree to our bedroom being sold (I mean Waitara, here), for this bed belongs to the whole of us; and do not you be m haste to give the money. Hearken to my word. If you give the money secretly, you will get no land for it. You may insist, but I will never agree. Do not suppose that is folly on my part; no, it is true. I have no new proposal to make, either as regards selling or anything else. All I have to say to you, 0 Governor, is, that 'none of this land will be given to you, — never, never, not till I die.' I have been told that lamto be imprisoned. lam very sad because of this word. Why is it ? You should remember that the pakehas and the Maoris are living quietly upon their pieces of land, and, therefore, do not disturb them."

It has been mentioned that when Te Rangitake returned with his tribe from the south there was some danger of an invasion from the Ngatimaniapoto tribe. Mr. Gorst thus tells the story: — "It was therefore agreed by the whole tribe that, instead of Rangitake settling on the Aidrth bank of Waitara, where his own possessions were, the whole t»ibo should live together . '

ON TEIRA'S LAND, . on the south bank, for mutual protection against the common foe. It was m consequence of this arrangement that Te Rangitake originally established himself upon Teira's land (hereafter it will be seen that the land was not Teira's), where he laid out cultivation and built substantial houses. They all lived happily together, until disturbed by the accursed land feuds, which caused perpetual dissensions among them. At length Teira, out of spite to Te Rangitake, sold Waifcara to the Government, the effect of this sate being to turn the latter suddenly, and without compensation, off land which he had^ considerably improved by building and cultivation, and which, under the original agreement, he bad certainly an aauitable right to hold. It seems quite m

credible that circumstances so material to the case should have escaped Mie* notice of the officials concerned m the purchase, and have remained undiscovered for three years, until they were* accidentally found out by Sir George Grey's interpreter, m private conversation, with the Waitara natives. The facts were certainly unknown, not only to Governor Browne, but even to Te Rangitake's advocates. It will readily be believed that, had the Governor been informed of a circumstance so material, the Waitara block would never have been purchased."

We have lost sight of Donald McLean for some time. Mr. Parris was acting as 'his deputy, but he turns up m a memo, of Colonel Browne's, Aug. 27, 1859. It appears not to have been known at the time, but became public property afterwards, that Governor Browne, having become a land-

purchaser, personally pushed the matter for* ward. Mr. Parris reported that the purchase

COULD NOT BE SAFELY COMPLETED m the face of opposing claims. The Governor wrote: "Instructions should be sent to Taranaki to close the purchase of Teira's land, which was. commenced when I was> there, without delay, if possible. There is little chance of Mr. McLean reaching Taranaki for sometime." Mr, Richmond wrote to Parris about the same time: "The Governor is very anxious about the compler tion of the purchase from Teira. I am sure you will press the matter as far as appears prudent. It will satisfy his Excellency if, without writing officially, you will let me hear privately, how the matter stands. I Lave teen m hopes thsut Mr. McLean's visit would effect something, but he delays bo long. . The Governor feels pledged to effect the purchase." ,

When suoh influences were brought to bear, what could a mere salaried official, and a deputy at that, do P Parrls was well aware that undue influence was- brought to bear against Te Rangitake on outside

grounds. A letter from Parris to Bishop Selwyn, dated Aug. 28, 1858, was produced m the General Assembly, containing these words: "Lest I should be charged . •. WITH PARTIALITY TO NATIVES of that denomination, because I refuse to support or countenance dishonorable and treacherous treatment of Te Rangitake and his people, to exterminate them from the Waitara, m accordance with Mr. Turton's peremptory plan for the acquirement of that delightful and much-coveted district."

Mr. Turton and his abettors and sympathisers found, m 1859, the machinery with which to work their will, and Mr. Parris, pushed on by desire to please the Governor, the native Minister, the Attorney-General, the Taranaki Provincial Council and settlers, pursued the course which a year before he had called "dishonorable and treacherous." Free from the great pressure brought to bear upon him, Parris might have ascertained, as a court of justice did afterwards, that as compared with those of Te Rangitake, the claims of Teira were as nought. In after years a decision m the

HISTOEIO CASE OF THE EANGITIKIMANAWATTJ BLOCK proved that according to well-known Maori [usage— and the treaty of Waitangi guaran- ! teed to the chiefs and tribes all such usages-

Rangitake's people, settled "by consent of the tribe on tho south' of tho Waitara River, acquired rights of ownership by the fact of. settlement, even if no previous tribal rights existed, as they were admitted to exist at Waitara. The judgment of the Court was, after many weeks trial, given by no less an authority than Mr. Manning. But it was not pronounced until 1869, long after "the flower of New Zealand warriordom had fallen m the war began at Waitara, or had been expelled from the desolated hearths." Such a trial was all that Bishop Selwyn, Sir William Martin, and other friends of the Maoris demanded at Waitara, but their petitions were rudely put aside. Te Raugitake was referred to Mn Parris, but having, addressed him- ' self to the Queen's representative, he declin- j ed to make application to Parris whom he . looked upon merely as a tool m the bands . of THE ANTI-MAORI CLIQUE at Taranaki. Mr. Gorst declares that no record of the investigation into Teira's title was preserved. The debates m the New Zealand Legislature let some light m. Te Rangitake understood fch« proceedings as an attempt fco> &«sfcen » quarrel upon him. In

July, 1859, he wrote Archdeacon Hadfield, tto friend whom ho aided m projecting thd colonists m 1843: "Mr. Parris has lifted up his heel against me. This is what he said to me, 'Naku koe i ora ai.' Recently his word has been revealed that I am to be taken prisoner, because I withhold the land, masmuch as the withholding of land is m their estimation the greatest of offences, and for thte reason is bruited about the opinion of all Europeans, that I am the worst of men. I am not able to discover wherein consists my guilt. If I had taken any land belonging to European!, then my fault would, have been proved, or if I had visited any European, then my accusation would have been just. But they are bringing guilt to rae, or are forcing me tp become a guilty man. Great is the obduracy of this Pakcha (Par-

ris). His word has been reported to me that I am TO BE SHOT AND BURIED, not m the burial place, but outside in 1 , the cultivations with the burial of an ass. I thought you mig*ht have influence with the Governor and Mr; McLean to cause Parris'3 proceedings to be stopped with reference to the Waitara." Mr. Forsyth, m reading to the House of Representatives the Maori quotation above given, explained that though the verbal translation of the phrase was, "I was the means of saving your life," tha Maori significance of it was highly offensive, not amounting to a curse, but, when address* ed to » New Zealand chief, a grievous insult. The taunt of .slavery or dependenco was ever galling.

Late m November, 1859 Parris told Te Rangitake ' that he intended paying Teira a portion of the purchase money. He incited Te Rangitake to meet Teira, and discuss the matter. With . about

THIRTY ARMED FOLLOWERS the chief, Te Rangitake, attended on November 29th. Parris adniitte'd .that the. J.scussi^n was conducted m a very orderly m.-ia-ner, m tlie presence of a, largo number of Europeans. Te Rangitake avowed his determination to oppose the sale, without advancing any reason for so doing. Parris put a series of questions to him ; which ho called upon Rev.' Mr. Whitely, missionary, to witness. In these questions and answers, Parris on the one side, and Te Raiigita kt-'% friends on the other, differ as to interpretation. Parris asserted that- Te Itanjjitulca admitted that the land was Teira's, 1 ut Ikwould not let him 'sell it. Te llangitake's friends, on' the other hand, averred that he did not 6ay "the land is 'ratou' (theirs) 'bub 'matou' (ours)." Whitely the Methodisj;. missionary certified to the correctness of Pavris 9 version. He may have thought, with Parris, that he was .correct. However, it is morally certain that they were.- wrong. Within zone, week- of the 'discussion' Te^ Rangitako wrote to Archdeacon Hadfield: the Pakebas say /'(Mr. Parris, Whitely, and the Governor) that to Teira~only belongs this pieca of land. No, it .belongs to us all,

KAHORE, NO MATOU KATOA. It belongs to the orphans, ■ it. belongs la the widows." As. the chief was,^according to Parris, very resolute m his interview, it is unlikely that he kept, back any part of his contention which he almost immedaitely put into writing, arid which was m gkeeping with his language before and after 1859. Bishop Selwyn writing ! ih 1849 extolled the "delicate use of the exclusive and inclusive pronoun"— so powerful m Maori speech. If they' had misreported Te Rangitake wil» fully, Mr. Parris and his : coadjutor (White» ly) would have been open to the charge ofc putting the pronouns to a very different use, It will be seen, however, that Mr. WhitelJ was content ,with a very rough translation. of •■ ■ . '...-• -.... .■ •■■■■

A PROCLAMATION OF MARTIAL LAW. So saith Rusden. - . Teira' got the purchase money, £100, but he was careful to reside m town and not at

Waitara. In February, 1869, Rev. John Whitely was shot dead by Maoris (Hau Haus) at White Cliffs, TaranakL THE END. "But," protested Mrs. Newly wed, 'T don't see why you ask elevenpence for. a half -peck of your beans. The other man only wanted eightpence." "Yes'in," replied the huckster, but thes* beans o' mine is all hand-picked." * * * At a meeting of physicians recently heldt. complaining of the increase of specialists, one speaker said: "The rage for parcelling out the human frame into special territories is passing all bounds. We have specialists for the nose, the heart, the lungs, the throat, the ear, the mouth, the brain, etc. It seems to ma, gentlemen, that it will not be long ere the specialists, like Alexander, will have to sigh for new regions to overcome. So far as I can see, tho umbilicus is about the ouly uortion of the human body not allotted to a specialist." Whereupon a veteran praoliiioijer. es. claimed: "Doctor, you're forgetting the "s^. vaJ surgeons.' "