MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 June 1940, Page 3

MAORI MEMORIES

OTAGO. (Recorded by oi Palmerston North, ! for the “Times-Age.”) During the years 1844-47 serious difficulties arose as to the legality of crown grants of land and other legislative enactments made by Royalty and those Of the Governor of the Colony. Sir George Grey bore the brunt of the blame which should have fallen upon those who tried to control matters of which they knew nothing at the distance of 16.000 miles. In the midst of peace Britain could not spare regular troops for our protection, so she sent 500 discharged soldiers for seven years’ service in New Zealand. With their families they numbered 2000 Each man was given an acre near Auckland with a cottage, and at the end of his seven years service the right to buy seven acres at a low price. It is good to record that every man who deserved it was successful. In 1849 Otago settlors numbered 426 males and 319 females. Each single girl had a glorious time with an aver- | age of two rival co.mpetiors. Labourers earned 3s* 6d a day. There were very few tradesmen. The Maoris were their builders and fencers, and supplied fish, firewood, pigs, and potatoes. Among the “professionals we claimed 3 doctors. 1 lawyer. 1 clergyman, 5 publicans, and 9 boatmen. The one little paper was full of religious controversy and dyspeptic grievances. Four hundred and seven-ty-six were Presbyterian. 166 Anglican, 7* Catholics and 100 refused to disclose their religion. Then on October 17. 1848. came the devastating earthquake. At Wellington the damage amounted to £14,000. Then the news of fabulous wealth in the gold fields of California called.' many of our men away to America.