MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1938, Page 7

MAORI MEMORIES

RU WHENUA (EARTHQUAKES).

(Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The Wairau massacre created a decided stop in emigration for some years. In 1848 the John Wickliffe, with Scottish Free Kirk immigrants, came to Otago. They purchased 400,000 acres through the Land Company. Each settler was to have three separate properties, 2 acre of town land, 10 acres suburban, and 50 acres rural, all at £2 an acre. Of each man’s purchase money, £3O went to the Land Company, £45 on emigration, £3O on roads, and £l5 on religious education. Captain Cargill, of the 74th Regiment, was their leader. They numbered 745, of whom 426 were males and 319 females. Quarrels were common among them. Their newspaper was full of controversies and religious disputes. Over 100 jealous bachelors increased the trouble. ■ Scotsmen, without the admixture of English and Irish, do not live in peace. Alone, they quarrel; mixed, they cling together. An English traveller compared Dunedin to an enclosure, within which unhappy creatures tried to tear each other’s eyes out. On October 17, 1848, following the death of Captain Wakefield, terrific earthquakes shook Wellington to its very foundations. For three days and nights, to the panic-stricken people, each shock seemed heavier than the last. Sergeant Lovell and his two childrn were killed by falling buildings. All believed the earth would swallow them or the great tidal waves drown them. Hurricanes of rain and wind and noises like thunder preceded the shocks.

The churches were crowded with penitents, and a solemn fast was ordered for all. The Governor prohibited all departures. One barque stole out with 66 colonists, but it was wrecked and those on board thrown ashore. Superstitious fears were increased when it was found that the already infamous Wairau Valley was the centre of the shocks.

The Maoris were relatively calm and secure in their raupo whares.