BOWEN’S BOOK

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 443, 5 February 1890, Page 3

BOWEN’S BOOK

Thirty Years of Colonial Government. Interesting Reminiscences. (from our special correspondent. ) London, December 13. By dint of studious compression and remorseless excision (especially in the matter of speeches), Mr Stanley Lane Poole has made of Sir George Bowen’s official papers a more interesting and solidly instructive book than one would have conceived possible. The work was published in two handsome volumes hy Longman’s yesterday, and the same morning the “ Times ” contained a lengthy and highly laudatory notice. ‘ ! Fivecolonie3,”saysthe“Thunderer,” “ some of them already great States, and destined to limitless expansion, have been governed by Sir George Bowen. . In every quarter of the world his name is known, abroad even better than at home ; and everywhere it is associated with all that Englishmen honour. We know of no similar book describing the work of our Colonial Governors and faithfully illustrating the manner in which they quietly solve the problems of our Empire. The foolish indifference, fortunately fast dying out, to that Empire has blinded most of us to the magnitude of their task and the skill with which it is accomplished. Those faithful sentinels at England’s outposts often return home to find no adequate recognition of their priceless services. We therefore welcome such a book as this, which narrates the career of one of the ablest of our Colonial Governors. Prom Sir George Bowen’s vivid letters and official ' despatches—more readable than most private letters—Mr Stanley Lane-Poole has compiled two volumes which it behoves every patriotic Englishman to study. “ Eight out of the thirty-seven chapters are devoted to Sir George's government of New Zealand and experiences there. In this colony,” says the “ Times ” reviewer, “ he had his work cut out for him. The colony was still young, and suffering from the ailments of infancy. The second Maori war had scarcely ended ; but it had left discontent and unrest among the natives and anxiety among the colonists and loyal tribes, who, unaided by British troops, must fight their own battles. Frightful massacres were not uncommon in outlying posts. The settlers dwelling near the Maori pale knew not when their houses might be fired and their wives and children murdered. As the Governor wrote to a Iriend in these perilous times : . “incedis per ignes Suppositos cineri doloso.” More than once the smouldering ashes leapt into flames ; more than once a general conflagration might have burst out but for his tact, firmness, and courage. To add to the difficulties of the situation Fenianism had made its appearance. “ There is a strong Fenian agitation among the Irish on our southern goldfields, and I have received notices that there is a secret society determined to assassinate the Governor, as such, and not from any ill-feeling. lam warned to adopt precautions for my safety. . . . I shall make no change in my manner of life.” Over all these difficulties he triumphed. As he traversed his dominion, talked with the Maori chiefs and visited their camps, he was struck with the likeness between the Maori Highlands in 1868 and the Scotch Highlands before 1745. Both were ruled by powerful clans, fond of war and addicted to plunder, impatient of discipline, but almost invincible on their . ownground. The same savage customs, dark passions, and superstitions, softened by courtesy, hospitality, and a sense of honour, pervaded both societies, and, to complete the likeness, the loyal Maoris represented the Campbells and other clans which sided with the House of Hanover. Sir George Bowen followed the policy which gradually pacified the Scotch Highlands. VWe are 7 steadily pursuing the system of Marshal, -Wade in opening up the country by roads, and of Lord Chatham, in employing the disaffected clans on public works, and in regiments and companies raised for the Crown.”. His policy triumphed. Race animosities were buried; the memory of bloody struggles had almost died out before he quitted the colony; on the fields of hardfought battles the Governor met in amity and with affection some of the fiercest foes of English rule; and he could say at his departure frqph New Zealand that he found it perturbed and in a perilous state, and left it prosperous and peaceful. In the New Zealand portion of the work Sir George describes the Fenian movement in the colony, numerous tours and visits to native chiefs, the Poverty Bay massacre, the visits of the Duke of Edinburgh, a viceregal ride from Wellington to Auckland, the Southern Fjords, the Hot Lakes and numerous Parliamentary incidents. This portion of the book ends up with a paragraph in which Mr Poole claims for Sir George the credit of having finally patched up a permanent peace betwixt Maoris and Europeans. •>