MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

HE ORA TE WHENUA. (Recorded by J.H.S., o£ Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) In 1844 it was vainly hoped and believed by the Maoris that Governor Fitzroy's settlement by restoring native lands which had been conquered, would be effective. Hundreds of Maori families each with a canoe load of food, children, and pigs, paddled their way from the coasts of Cook Strait and took quiet repossession of their Fatherlands. Four years later Wiremu King!, with over 600 followers. came from Otaki and settled on the southern bank of Waitara river. Governor Grey's knowledge of Maori custom and instinct foresaw trouble, and caused him to urge the British Government to send a strong corps of armed military pensioners to settle the unoccupied lands, which were being rapidly taken up by Maori claimants. His request was unfortunately ignored. A number of Maoris previously deported to the Chatham Islands returned to occupy these lands. In 1854 .Wi Kingi’s tribe alone boasted that they had 300 cattle, 150 horses, 40 carts, 35 ploughs, 20 harrows, and 2 winnowing machines. The New Zealand Government now found it impossible to buy land from the Maoris at any price. The Maori Chiefs said “Money for land vanishes like water; but land remains with the Pakeha for ever.” A league of anti-land sellers was formed, and to sanctify their proceedings they burled a Holy Bible and built a cairn of stones over the spot which was made Tapu (sacred) by the Ariki (high priest), who laid his hands upon .it. An indiscreet official induced a tribe outside the league under Rawiri Waiaua to offer a block of land for sale to the Crown, causing Sir George Grey’s prediction of war to be realised.