THE INTRODUCTION OF HORSES TO TARANAKI. (Taranaki News.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 359, 1 September 1874, Page 2

THE INTRODUCTION OF HORSES TO TARANAKI. (Taranaki News.)

Mb E. J. WvKKriELD thus describes the panic of the Maoris on tho cjast between Wanganui and Patea when tbey.first saw a horse t — " I was not, s"en by tho inhabitants of the pa until close to tho river Wemmkura. They then run down to the beach. Bj this tinio I had plunged liito the river, winch here flows over soft and shining sands. Tho horse's bodj was nenrlj' hidden ; and though many of my old Incnds berehnd recognised mo and ihoiitcd 'Tirnwekii! Ilueremi!' thry evidently thought that, a native was carryme on bis shouldeis. Theie were now neinly a lumdrecj natives collected, nuny of whom had ne\er sren a hoi>o belore, crowding over etich other to gvvo mo the first greeting. With two or three vigorous plun/jeu the horse suddenly emel-ged from the water and boro 1110 into the middle of thoni. Surli a eainplfU' ptnuc e,an li.irdly be imagined. They fled, jelling, in nil directions, without looking behind them ; and us last, ns 1 galloped p-ibt those who wore 1 mining ucioiss tho sandy flat and up tho itecp path leading to the

TiUo ■ pi, they taulv lay <>o*n on their l.icw, and gave them selves up for lost. ITuif-w iv up the hill 1 dismounted, and they plucked up courage to corao and look at the ktm nui or • larne dog.' The most amusing questions were put t > m 3m 3 ns to its h ibits and disposition. ' Can ho talk?' sail one ; ' Does lie like boiled potatoes p ' laid another ; and a third, 'Mustn't lie have a blanket to lie down upon at n-ght? ' This unbounded respect and admiration lasted all the time that I remained. The horse was taken into the con t ml court yard of tho pa ; a dozen hands were always offering him Indian corn, grass, and sow-thistles, when they had learned what ho really did eat; and a wooden bowl full of water was kept constantly replenished close to him. And little knots of curious observers Bit round the circle of his tether-rope, remarking and conjecturing and disputing, about the meaning and intention of every whisk of his tail oi- bhnke of his ears. In October and NoVember, 1839, tho Rev W. Williams was at W.iikanai with some horses, for tho purpose o( establishing a mission there Ho also came up the coast as far as the Sugar Loaves, leaving books and native catechists at Otumatua, near to Opunake, but it is doubtful whether he brought » horse with him. When the William Bryau arrived the only horse 3 in the district were & mnro and foal belonging to Richard Barrett, and shortly afterwards the mare was killed by fulling mto a Maori pit. Tho first horso landed on the beach was brought from Kiwhia, in a sailing vessel, for the use of Mr Creed, the Wesleyan Missionary. As soon as it reached the shore, Willmm Marshall leaped upon its bnok, and rode up and down the beach. On 2ith October, 1811, the animal being i 1, Mr Creed brought it to the tent of a gentleman who possessed some knowledjo of veterinary art, for the purpose of getting it bled. William Marshall, who was wear at the time, took hold of tho animal's foreleg, which caused it to pxw at him and strike him in the abdomen. The kick wns -so severe, that the poor man died two days afterwards. The horse was a large awkward creature, which had been spoilt by the natives in their unskilful attempts to break him in. He was for many years attached to the Mission Station at Waimate, and whilo there, killed a Maori. He died at last of oil age. A longer but less doleful story is connected with the neit horse winch arrived in the province. Tho Chief Surveyor found it very rough and laborious work to travel on foot over tho settlement especially as ho had to wade through rivers and swamps afc the peril" of In-, life. He thercforo requested Captain Liarclet to procure him a horse, the captain promised to do so, and commissioned Captain King who was about to proceed to Sydney for the purpose of buying live stock, to eet a horse for Mr Carrington. We presume that Captain King was not much of a judge of horse flesh, nevertheless the hor?p was duly purch med together with necessary h\r nes* and shipped on board tin hit quo Jupiter, bound for New Plymouth. After a very stormy passage of a mouth's duration, m which many of the cattle died, the vessel amved and was made fast to the moorings then newly laid down. The Chief Surveyor's horso was safely landed, stabled, fed, and groomed, and when sufficiently recovered, was saddled and bridled for use. No longer will the Chief Surveyor run the risk of cramps, rheumatism, or drowning, bv wading through the snow-fed rivers of the settlement. Fallacious hope ! the brute was full of wickedness, and aftor three attempts to ride him, his master gave him up in despair. Some months afterwardis Mr Wickstced thus addresses Colonel Wynvnrtl concernng the horse, " The horse purchased by Captain King for the Chief Surveyor at Captain Liardet's order, I have sold to Mr Creed, the Wcsleyan Missionary, for £39, and his saddle and bridle for £5. The animal with his saddle and bridlo coat £79, and I was sorry to lose £44 by him, but he waj aged, had bad tricks, and w»s constantly in danger of bt raking his legs in the woods. He never was fairly worth £40, -md Captain King was cheated when he purchased him If I hud kept him lie would have cost the Company £10 per annum." The story of this janimal may be extended a little further. The Board of directors of the Nev> Zealand Company bat in solemn conclave upon him, as appears from the following minute :—": — " Mr Camngton's claims as stated in Mr Wicksteed's letter of 17th May last, have much surprised the Court. He is certainly not entitled to a hor«e, an indulgence not granted to the principal surveyors at either Wellington or Nelson, and you will be pleased to retrench from nis allowance the sum (stated to be about £70) expended in the purchase trnd keep of that animal." Horse* were scarce and dear in the ssttlement for many years. In 1850, Mr Josias Hoskin sold a fine hack mare to .Rev. Roseph Long, with saddle and bridle, for £69 10s.