THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 228, 19 September 1908, Page 3

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF TARANAKI.

By JIRS. G. M. Dl'NUJl'. [All Righto Reserved.] I. Although in the early years of last century a few adventurous Europeans cast in their lot, with the Taranaki district, it was not until between 1835 aud 18-to that serious settlement was undertaken, 'i'aranaki boasted almost the earliest Pakelui-Alaori of whom we have any record, lie was known to story as Jimmy Howry, and was spoken of before 1810 as a white man living among the -Maoris. We have little record of this man, whose real name is unknown, that liy which he was recognised being obviously but a sailor's invention. \\ ho he was, whence he came, and what his real name, will j ever remain a mystery; but he it was who first initiated the Maoris of Taranaki into the customs and ways of Euro- j peans, and began to arouse in them a sense of curiosity regarding the strange white people who lived on the other side of the great dividing seas. In the year 181 li there was a shipwreck on the shores of Poverty Buy. The name of the vessel was the Agnes, and lier crew nearly all perished u the hands of the natives, who coveted the wreckage. Only one European eventually survived. His name wa» John Rutherford, and lie married a chief's daughter who had protected him and he became a Pakeha-.Uaori. He met with many strange and terrible adventures, and left an account of his life among .the Maoris, lie tells us an interesting story oi how the tribe with which he was connected journeyed by overland and forest llracks rtrom Poverty Bay to Taranaki. lie accoin-

panied the party, his Maori wife and many other women also faking the trip. The women were laden with food baskets, and each one drove a little pig, which she held by a string, and which must have been a troublesome companion. When the travellers arrived at Taranaki, Rutherford was surprised and overjoyed to find the white man Jimmy there, and the two Europeans fraternised, exchanging stories of their perilous adventures and experiences. The Poverty Bay natives remained a month rejoicing and feasting with their friends. The visit was one of friend-

ship, so that there does not appea 1 to have been any serious fighting •:

cannibalism 011 this occasion.. Every day there were games, sham lights, and trials of strength, in which the Maoris took great delight, finally the visitors took, the homeward ways laden with many presents and tokens of goodwill. Barrett ajid his companions arrive 1 early on the scene in Taranaki, and I'ived the way for other Europeans. They were there to welcome the first ar-

rivals by emigrant ships and to interpret for them, Barrett's wife being skilful in this respect. Taranaki was first colonised from Devon (England), under the auspices of the New Plymouth Company, the first ship to carry a number of immigrants thence being the barque Wjlliam Bryan, which set sail from Plymouth in October, ISlii), having on board a number of people who became Taranaki's most esteemed pioneers. J cannot resist letting my readers peep behind the scenes for a moment while this article is being prepared. Imagine, then, my good fortune when I ain able to tell you truly that at my elbow as 1 write s>ts one, still hale and hearty, who was a passenger upon that shb, and wa£ at that time old enough to note keenly all that passed, for he was a hoy fourteen years of age. Yes, indeed, I have captured such a pioneer as this, and here he sits smiling ben'gnly upon his captor. Although !ie is eighty-four years of age, he does not really look more than about sixty-four. He has delightful clear blue eyes, undimmed by time, and would seem to have caught and kept the colour and depths of the sweeping seas during that long voyage in the far-back past. His expression is frank and fearless, his countenance is little wrinkled, his memory i s keen and he walks erect without a stick. He is just a little deaf, and that is the only thing that troubles him. He cannot read or write, having never learned. He says he never could get the hang of the thing, try how he would and though his sons and daughters have

tried their best to show him the trick. Thus, he always makes his mark when he signs his cheques, which arc of a substantial character, for God 7ias blessed his store. His faculties are not loaded with artificialties, and perhaps that is why he is so fresh and his mind and memory so keen and clear. I met him on a tramcar, and hearing him tall,. 1 captured him forthwith and brought him home as a prize!—far more interesting than any book. He was one of a family of fourteen w'i» embarked on board th,. William Bryan to seek better prospects than Devon at forded. "We were all Devon folk,'' say* the old man, "and all like as though we were but one family. Captain Maclean was in command, and there was Mr.

Cntfield with his good wife, and M.\ and Mrs. Richard Cljilman, and many another. We took our houses with us, all ready for putting up when we should land. They were all in sections like a pack of cards, anu put together like a puzzle. When we were off and getting away from land, the women cried, but we boys were glad to get away to the wonderful new land. My father he was glad, too—he knew what it was to try and feed a family in Devon. There were fine doings seeing us oil', and more than one wedding, for several couples got married just before we sailed. They were all one family, as you might say—Kings and Canns and Cutfields and Iloskins, all inter-married or brothers and sisters. Many children were on board. We had fine weather nearly all the way out, s o that we used to dine on deck at tables spread underneath awnings. We set sail in November, and were just four months at sea." Warning of the approach of land was given by a little dog on board. ft showed great excitement the day before Xew Zealand's shores appeared upon the horizon, barking, jumping, smiling the breeze, and running hither and thither on deck, looking in> the direction in which land subsequently appeared. Dogs appear to possess an instinct which enables them to anticipate the approach of land, probatily scenting it afar oil'. By and bye the passengers also discerned a change in the air, and detected the perfume of woods and fern. Next day their sight was gladdened by the appearance of the long white cloud, and at length by blue mountains and by the snowy heights of Kgmont cut clear against the morning s ky. Their long voyage was ended, and their new home safely attained. The spirits of the pioneers, howeve.', sank low in doubt, and fear, and they were unable to decide on landing immediately. The. William Bryan proceeded southwards and entered Cook's Strait', dropping anchor tentatively at l'ort I'nderwood. Here there was a little settlement and the whaling station of the Guard family. The Guards were, some of the earliest

pioneers of the Straits, and had met with many strange adventures. Descendants of the family live in that neighbourhood ill. Hut. a short tint. 1 litrk one of the Mis s Cuards of the present day had an exciting adventure with a whale, to which she gave chase in a small boat and in company with a clergyman, the wliale just escaping their spirited pursuit. Some of the young men of the family accompanied the latest scientific expedition to the Campbell Islands. The young people are showing themselves worthy of the traditions which are among the most exciting in our New Zealand annals. Captain and Mrs. Guard were shipwrecked at the foot of Mount Kgmont in the vear 1832. Their vessel going to pieces on the rocks left them at the mercy of the natives. A ferocious attack ' was made, upon the shipwrecked mariners, who endeavoured to shelter

behind barricades and made a spirited resistance, having saved some arms and ammunition. Nearly all the casta wins were killed and formed material for a cannibal feast. . Mrs. Cuard had two children wi.li her. and she was with them seized by the natives and carried oil into n'j

interior .if the country _ 'icr bu-liaii'l to ' e dead, but he in rcalit> | es.-aocd with one or two others, and t.j, way along the 'l;'™'*' until he reached a friendly settlcme . Although convinced of the death* ul !i» wife nnd children. lie could not i''>t satisfied Without ascertaining the. actual fate. Contriving to reach ■\d „ev he succeeded in getting an exp™'. (ion fitted up to search for traces o |„, t lines. With two transports ami K.MS. Albatros. he ariiveu "II I '■ .•oa-t during the following ,var ; am, ascertained that bis wife and tan",' were still living and m the ham - >. the native-. Mrs. Ctiaril bad meanwhile met ~I OM ..xtraordinarv adventures the na•ives sparing her life in hopes of ransom ■mil through the iiilluence of some of [their women.

one Of the children wa, taken from her and given ua a curiosity to another

tribe, leaving her the infant in arms to guard and nourish. For many months this unfortunate woman lived among the Maoris, often being treated with barbarism anil sometimes with kindness. When the convoy from Sydney arrived oil' the coast t lie Maoris carried Mrs. Guard further inland aud concealed her while they parleyed, hoping to extract a greater ninsom. When at last restored to her husband she had been about eight months with the Maoris, lioth children su - vivod and were eventually recovered. The Guard family afterwards settled in Cook's Straits, and were very kind and hospitable to new arrivals. ihe\ received and welcomed as many of the William Bryan's company as were able to land. Already a Wcsleyan mission station was established at Port Underwood, and our passengers visited the spot and sav, for the lirst time many things peculiar to New Zealand, and were introduced to Maoris and to Maori women,_ with mutual curu'sitv and interest. There they joined in pigeon-shooting for the lirst time (the eyes of my pioneer glisten as he describes the sport), the pigeons being thick in the dense busli and very tame, having been little disturbed by destructive man. During the last week in March the William Bryan again approached the Taranakj shore. The wvatlier was rough and th"y were sore at raid. The breaking waves dashed high On that stormy roekbound coast, And

The heavy night hung dark The shore s and waters o'er, When that band of exiles moored [their bark Near the wild Xe«" Zealand shore. It was diHicult to provide even necessaries for the new immigrants. There was no preparation of any kind for their reception, and they were in hourly fear of an attack from natives. They were not without a welcome, however, for the brothers Carrington were alruady there. Mr. I''. A. Carrington had been appointed the year previously by the Plymouth Company to go to New Zealand and choose a site fur a settlement. lie was accompanied by his brother, Jir. Octavius Carrington. They lmd arrived by different ships, and had made their way to Taranaki, wiiere they were already busy making a survey of tile country. They now welcomed til? arrivals by the William Bryan, and did all that was possible to reassure them and to assist the women and children. The portable cottages were carried ashore and put together, tents put .up, and rough shelters constructed. The first few nights were very trying, as the new arrivals experienced a great deal of alarm from the demeanour if the natives, even their dances of goodwill terrifying the quiet Devon folk. There was also much discomfort from the wild weather.

It was a very busy scene, as may be imagined. There was a great deai of discussion as to the site of the future town, which was eventually fixed where it is now, about two miles south of the Sugar Loaves, and there tents and wliares were put up for the settlers and stores erected to receive their goods. There were 110 animals of any kind to assist in traction, so that all the goods and stores had to be conveyed in handcarts and wheelbarrows, of which there were six. The properties were thus conveyed along the beach from the landing-place to the future town. The people were satisfied to recognise the leadership of Mr. Outfield and the Carringtons, who issued commands and gave directions. Two very spirited settlers were Mi. and Mrs. Chilmau. It i s very pleasant to note in the records of the early days the cheerful and enterprising spirit of the new settlers, who most of them laughed at discomforts and delighted in experiments which might lead to useful knowledge. This i s the true spirit if the pioneer, by means of which dilliculties have been overcome and progress inaugurated. None but those who possess this spirit should attempt to join in the colonisation of a new country. Mr. and Mrs. Chilmau built a cottage for themselves, largely composed of the raiupo, which was so useful to early settlers. The Huffy material which it produces was used for bedding, pillows, [ etc., for which it needs a special preparation by baking, in a clay oven, being previously stitched into calico bags. It not submitted to this process the material becomes unpleasant. The tall steins of the raupo were us"ful in building cottages. The writer remembers living in just such a structure when a child. It was pretty, fresn. clean and artistic. There were upright posts to support tile material, which was closely interwoven for the nf the house. The shining yellow stems of the raupo, like cane in appearan-e, were placed side by side, constructing a smooth and shining ribbed yellow lining, beautifully clean and sweet scented, and not by any means to be despised; partitions constructed of the same material divided the whare into rooms. The raupo was, and still is, very common in New Zealand, occupying areas of swam]) landf. I

The Chilnians constinct<-<l and ocriipieil such ;i cottage as that described; Maoriniats placed upon the floor gave additional comfort. The flax lloor mats made by Maori women were greatly idmired and attracted much attention, being highly prized by the settlors, form- ■ itig a useful, clean, and pretty floorcovering. .Mr. Chilinau kept a iliary with scrupulous care. lie was the l'epys of tin; Turanaki settlement, anl his journals are very valuable, being most explicit and interesting. He records at great length many of the a.tventures and experiences of settlers, anil gives excellent descriptions of the country. His records will become more and more valuable as the years advance, II; and Mrs. Chilman made many experiments in sowing anil planting, and were delighted with the results. There was little or nothing to depend upon, as stores in the little community, oxcept what the settlers had brought with them. A few pigs could be obtained at times from the natives, and seeds were distributed, the results 01 which, however, were cherished for future crops. We must remember, also, that the arrival had taken place in April, when the planting season was over. After a while stores ran extremely short and hunger threatened our pioneers. But for the abundant tisli they would often have run short of a meal. I am keeping my special pioneer waiting, and I can see by the gleam in his eve that some intensely interesting recollection is stirring in his mind. "You must let me tell you this," lie says ear-1 nestly, bending forward, " for never did you dream the like. 1 must tell you "tluit we made our houses, as we did in Devon, of a kind of rough brick made of clay mixed with chopped up straw, grass, or what not. To get the necessary clay, holes or pits were dug in the ground, and we made these pits with sloping sides, sides sloped inwards. When wo went to work at the pits in the morning they were full of rats!rats! rats! rats!—millions of rats! I tell vou true, ma'am, there were hundreds and thousands upon thousandsstruggling in a mass, all one a-top ol

oilier. Wo hoys thought llmt line sport, and tlioi't 1 was ;i and :i racing ;tmi a shouting, you ni;iy be surif of s | that. Ami (hen tins -Maoris came along, in crowds. mid tlii'.v caught and mi caught and killt'll raU alid laid them in I piles almost as high us we. 1 tell you Cod's own trutli, they ate those rats!— | cooked 'em ami ale 'era. The Maoris came from far and near, and asked their friends, and made a feasting and a merry-making, and reckoned us as foois that' we did not join the feast. And ever after that, when sve opened up a rick, sucli as we stored our wlicat ami corn' in. the rats would 1)0 there in thousands upon thousands, and the Maoris would eome nibout to enjoy a treat, for tliev reckoned the corn-fed rats the greatest treat and delica-v lliev could lie offered." With reference to this description as •_<ivi n liv my pioneer I notice (hat m ' an account which 1 have liy me o! the

vents of that time it is recorded that there was a very remarkable invasion „f r; ,K which seemed to sweep over tin' co'.inii'v coin'n)L r from the north in o\l r !nrii']i;irv imniocv^. ' In that llr-t sea-on." continues my old friend, "we were often short ■ food and had no luxuries, but from laat time out we Were glad we came, mi there was plenl v of food ill this cotiutrv. In Devon W e had known want, l.iil we were never to know real want n'lain, and that alone made us think Sew Zealand a fine i-ountrv---there was food for all. lint a. to education, that's the onlv fault I have to find with my father. ' He did not value it at all. set 110 sti 1 1)V ii. i'nd ,0 w«- never learnon | the trick.' H seems easy enough 1" others aril thank Cod Ih,. want of ,1'„1 not altoeetbev hinder nte. tor 1 brought up a family ol sixteen in\-eIF and gave them all a good start. Lite, and none of us have ever known wan,. Ml are comfortable and in good positions. my daughters well married, and I mv sons prosperous in business. .d> wife and T are healthv and comfortable I and eniov life still. But when T think l upon the changes J have seen I think r X must be living in ft drcatxu