MAORI MEMORIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1938, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES.

EARLY COLONISTS. ißecorded by “J.H.S.” for “Times-Age") In the early years, through official sources and the Press, at least four fantastic references were published concerning New Zealand as a field for British migration. Hongi’s visit, the flax plant, Dr Shaw's drawing of the wingless kiwi, and our indifference to the cannibal habit of the Maori people. In 1825, that suffering year in England. "a company of highly influential men” was formed to colonise New Zealand, among them being the President of the Board of Trade and Lord Durham. The vessel, with 60 sturdy settlers, arrived at Hokianga in December, 1826. The company’s agent, Captain Herd, reported that he had purchased for the settlement a large block of fertile land and two small islands in the "Howrackey" Gulf. This was subsequently found to be about 600 acres. Unfortunately, the Hokianga Maoris were at war with the Bay of Islands tribe. The sight of a war dance and the report of a battle so alarmed the newcomers that, most of them left the country. £20,000 was sunk in this mismanaged venture. Those who made this visionary purchase of land reported for their own ends that the French were about to acquire and colonise New Zealand. Marion's sad fate had linked the name of France and New Zealand, so that the many French whalers and frigates hovered around the coast. In 1827 Captain D’Urville, of the French navy, in the Astrolabe, surveyed the coast of the South Island. In 1831 the French ship La Favorita declared that France was about to annex New Zealand. Thirteen Ngapuhi chiefs besought King William IV. to save them from the "tribe of Marion.” This was done in the nick of time.