“PASSING MAORI MEMORIES.”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 335, 16 January 1937, Page 3

“PASSING MAORI MEMORIES.”

RECORDED BY J.H.S. FOR “THE TARANAKI CENTRAL PRESS.”

MAORI GIANTS.

Taniwha, known as Hocknose, the last living contenrporai-y ot Cook, died in 1853. Still there is said to be not one old chap alive who ever saw Taniwha. He was nine when Cook came to Mercury Bay. He told our fathers or grandsires that when Cook's ship appeared they thought it was a winged whale and the sailors were gods with white faces. “When the sailors were seen paddling stern first, we loked closely for an eye in the back of their heads.' The first salt pork they tasted was thought to be whales’ flesh badly cooked.

Taniwha. was old when Major Cruise came to Coromandel in 1821 He was one ot the first converts to Christianity, and being born in the midst ot strife, was a sincere apostle of peace.

Rangihaeata, whose name, “The Heavenly Dawn,” was belled by his nature, died in 1876, aged 70. He bore hatred in his gloomy mind toward all “white-faced ghosts” until his own friends rose up against him. At a great Huihuinga in 1848, at Otaki, he met Sir George Grey, who, while much impressed by his six-feet-one of manly figure, at once intuitively measured up his mentality as of low degree.

Rangihaeata wore a dogskin coat, huia feathers in his hair, every inch a Maori, studiously so, as his people had given their adherence to the Queen, and each wore some article of European dress in token of their loyalty.

Moving proudly before the Governor, whom he addressed in terms of quality and easy familiarity, he said: “I am not tired of war, but the spirit of the time, is for peace, and now men, like women, use their wily tongues for weapons. I want nothing of white men and I wear nothing of their work.”

Though related and closely associated in life, Rauparaha (the broad sword) and Rangihaeata were quite dissimilar. Rauparaha, infinitely the superior in intellect, was followed without being respected; Rangihaeata, from his greater sincerity, was respected without being followed.

After the death of Rauparaha, Rdngihaeata’s hatred waned, and like his old leader, professed Christianity, and endeavoured to prevent tribal wars.

The days of men like Heke, Kawiti, Pomare, Taniwha, Rauparaha, and Rangihaeata are gone for ever, and none will rise to fill their place in our historic land.

HOME RULE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Self-government was granted to New Zealand in 1852; but owing to ./the multiplicity of its ancient formalities, rules, and regulations, the Maoris, who legally owned most of the land and rightfully all of it, made strenuous objections. One thing especially appealed to them, that they were not entitled to vote unless they could speak, read and write English. In proroguing the British Parliament Queen Victoria “trusted that the constitution might promote the welfare and contentment of that distant but interesting colony.” She dreamed as litle in her day as do our makers of rulers to-day, that restrictions and formalities are .the main cause of unseemly strife in church and State, tribes and nations, sport and labour. Sir George Grey saw it and promptly assented on behalf of the Maoris to defer the constitution for five years, thus practically decid ing to “rule by agreement,” as all common-sense folk do in their own peaceful home, circle. The Legislative Council of ten members was increased in 1857 to 20, and the Lower House from 24 to 40. Even then, as to-day, the people thought the machinery or the horsepower was too big for the ship. We had 31,000 Europeans and 56,000 Maoris when the settlers took the management into their own hands. He was surprised that from the first announcement of electing superintendents and representatives of the various councils, the eight newspapers were filled with bitter advertisements leaders, and squibs concerning the candidates. Virulent personalities led to libel actions. The bitterness of two editor proprietors, Brown and Williamson, both of whom were afterwards to be superintendents, caused mixed mirth and hatred. Every settler who claimed the right was permitted to register and vote, so that restrictions as to age and property were ignored, and the franchise was truly universal. Only 100 Maoris (one in every 560) were on the roll, yet men who had influenced Eiiglijh

elections with brickbats were vol in New Zealand.

When the Maoris saw the violent j gestures of the speakers and heard > the angry shouts of the crowds of < electors, they discreetly retired to a ! distance in amazement; but roars of j laughter reassured them, and they 1 joined in the fund. At. Nelson, where there were 5000 i whites’ and only 1000 Maoris, they sol- j emnly formed a “provincial council” j of their own, and elected a superin- | tendent chief. Among the 100 Maoris l enfranchised by us, a number artless- | ly sought bids for their votes.

GOVERNOR GREY.

On the 31st December, 1853, after ruling New Zealand firmly but tactfully for eight years, Sir George Grey sailed for England. His departure ’ was looked upon with varying feelings at the different centres, though from s most places came testimony of the , worthy service he gave to the Colony, i Just as.it is to-day, so was it then —i no truly great man really arrives until • after he has departed, and we still justify the advice of the cynic who i declared that “men say naught good, ! but of the dead.” From Maori chiefs who had fought i for or against us, and from tribes ; living near our settlements or far: inland, addresses came breathing a j spirit of confidence and regard. Many i valued family and tribal Heitikis were given him, songs of sorrow were com- ' posed, and eloquent speeches were • made in his honour. Two days be-; fore he sail, Hone te Paki said: i “The unanimous wish of the Maori is { to keep Governor Grey. The ashes • of our fathers are buried, and he has | seen them die. Te Reipa, Mare, i Takiwaru, Wetere, and other Waikato j chiefs are gone. Oh, Governor Gray, I come back ‘to us whom you leave in your grief and in theirs.” One hundred and seventy leading ' men of Auckland farewelled him at ; dinner. The Lord Bishop of New i Zealand, and the head of the Wesley-; ans were there. Dr. Pompallier, Gath-! olic Bishop, and Chief Justice Martin, ! sent apologies. P'atuone, brother of Waka Nene, Waikato chiefs, and the ’ Superintendent of Auckland, came [ and expressed sincere sorrow at his ;

departure. With reverent affection and supersti-l tious awe, the Maoris looked upon the t huge block of pumice stone beside ■ the path from Taupo to Rotomahana ' on which Sir George Grey had carved I hi initials “G.G., 1850”; but he needs | no monument to keep his memory • alive in a country he had rescued ‘ from pending disaster. In 1934 the Maoris still knew him • as the capturer of Ruapekapeka and ? Rauparaha, also the man who sub- > dued Heke and Rangihaeata, for the ! Maori schools and hospitals he built I and endowed, and more than all, for j his having forbidden the sale of liquor j and gunpowder to their people.

The settlers honour him for 1 lie j peace and prosperity brought to them I by despotic rule deftly hidden by the silken garment of moderation. On arrival in England, he was made a Doctor of Common Laws by the University of Oxford, when the undergraduates gave three hearty cheers for “The King of the Cannibal Islands.” He was honoured by the House of Lords and the Commons, and Her Majesty appointed him to the then turbulent Cape of Good Hope as Governor.