MAORI MEMORIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1938, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES.

NELSON. (Recorded by “J.H.S.” for “Times-Age”) The eager buyers for the New Zealand Company's sections in Wellington and New Plymouth prompted them to another venture. In 1841 they issued another prospectus, this time'for 1000 “farms” of 201 acres each, one acre in the map of the “town,” and the balance somewhere in the hills and valleys amid the bush. The sum of £1 10s per acre was to be paid before sailing. Of this sum £l5O per head was to be used for each emigrants fare and comforts, £lOO for the Company’s expenses and £5O to be held in trust to make the “Company’s” settlement attractive. Part of this fund gave origin to Nelson’s educational system. Of the 1000 allotments 442 were sold to 315 persons. Only 80 set sail in the “Whitby” and “Will Watch” in April 1841. En route they called on Governor Hobson at Wellington and met Rauparaha at Kapiti, who listened with supressed feelings to Wakefield’s accounts of more emigrants. The newcomers were delighted with the calm sunny atmosphere, and the delicate flowers on the plain surrounded with snowy hills. From the • hilly and broken country Captain Wakefield and the settlers saw that the Company’s plan of selling the land in Blocks laid out like a chess board was an imposition. Amid these difficulties the newcomers were in anxiety as to theii - agreement with the Maoris. Governor Hobson was directed by Lord John Russell, who had nevir seen a Maori, in an excellent summary of a way to protect them from injustice, cruelty and wrong; to establish friendly relations; to turn into use their neglected opportunities for labour; to avoid injuries to health and diminution of their numbers; and to give them the blessings of Christian teaching.