The Pigeons’ Parliament; a Poem of the Year 1845. In Four Cantos, With Notes. To which is added, Thoughts on the Wairarapa and other Stanzas
Notes
Notes.
Canto I.
(1, p. 4.)
Before my cottage, to the right,
There stands a pine of mod’rate height,
Which long has stood the stormy blast,
Not like itsneighb’ring rata cast, &c.
To give the reader, who may be unacquainted with New Zealand bush life, some idea of the scene, allow me to remark, that my cottage, like many others of a like nature, was one of no very imposing appearance. It was built partly of slabs and partly necho leaves,* and, though no way air-tight, yet the surrounding lofty bush sheltered it from the uncomfortable winds which often prevail here, and being water-tight over head by a good thick cover of necho leaves, it served as a good shelter in the rough mode of beginning a bush life. This shelter was about 12 ft. by 14 ft., the ridge of the roof about 10 ft. high, having the door and one small window, about 15 inches square, in the gable end looking toward the west. To the right of the cottage, and about five or page 76 six paces forward from the door, stood the pine referred to, so that about twelve o’clock the shadow of the tree completely covered the house; this served as a sort of hour-guage. A pig-sty, to which reference is made elsewhere, stood against the root of the pine-tree. Immediately behind my cottage, as if a line drawn from the pine-tree passing through the cottage from the right corner looking west to the right corner looking east, at one time stood a large rata-tree, but had been for some time laid low, lying along eastward, while its roots, carrying with them the clay in which they were enveloped, stood up like a clay wall about fifteen feet high. This is the rata referred to as tossing up its heels. Many, as they passed by, sometimes jokingly remarked of the root,—“See, there’s a good side-wall of a house; I wonder why you did not build your house there.” Such was the scene of the Poem.
(2, p. 5.)
If thou shouldst, I vow
You’ll render mine a grievous lot,
And crush to ruins my poor cot,
Aye, more than when the bucateer
Such havoc made me t’other year.
On entering upon a bush life, many of our colonial pioneers, as well as myself, through inexperience, and not foreseeing the chances of accidents, and so providing against them as prudence might dictate, by having every tree felled where a building was to be erected, and cutting off all communications that might conduct fire from around while burning off fallen bush, &c., from the want of using such-like precautions many were the losses that have been endured from fires and falling of trees upon dwellings, although I am happy to state, so far as I have heard, no lives have been lost. I may be allowed to give an instance as it occurred to myself, as adverted to above. When first I entered upon a piece of land, of which I obtained a lease, I fell upon what I thought a good place on which to fix my warré, or bush cottage, as referred to in Note 1. As the place I fixed upon was but a mere jungle of small bush, and would make what I thought a good opening though cut down with only the bill-hook, and one or two trees cut down with the axe, I then thought this, though no great space, would give me room enough to begin with, and so proceeded with the building in form of a house. Suffice it to say, I had lived in it for nearly eighteen months without any accident, although several page 77 trees during that time were cut down around my dwelling. However, about the close of the time referred to, in the month of July, upon a Saturday, it came on in the morning to a drizzling sort of rain, which prevented me from going to work elsewhere; and as I stayed at home I thought I might cut down a couple of trees, which I saw shaded the sun from a small patch of wheat growing near the house, judging that if I should get wet I was nigh home, and would get quickly on a dry change. I was fortunate enough in cutting down these, and had cut through a third, which made to fall, but it hung, tied by means of supplejacks and bines to its fellow’s top. The trees were so covered with a kind of parasite plant, called a keekee, having a thick cabbage-like stock, covered with long tendril leaves, about eighteen inches long, hanging down, where from each stock branched out numerous heads, so that there was no judging how the trees were inclined, as in fact they could not be seen. Before I began to the second tree I had got dinner, and my wife had out a dry suit of clothes warming before the fire on the table, ready for me when I would come in wet, as the rain had come on to be heavier than before. As I said before, I had cut one tree which hung to its fellow; and looking at my work before I began, I felt convinced I would get them down all right, as I thought they looked to fall in a contrary direction to the house, so that I felt no concern about the matter. However, to work I went, and in a short time the tree was pretty well cut on both sides the way I thought they would go; and looking up to see what movement might be above, an unlucky puff of wind came, when, crack, crack, went the trees, and with an awful sweep they fell—smash through the roof of the house. “Look out!” I cried, as I saw them swing. I heard a cry, but I could not see where I stood for half a minute. I felt stupified. When I came to myself, I threw my axe down and ran over the trees; my eyes reeled in my head when I saw the havoc. “Where are you?” I cried, in vexation; and glad I felt when my wife answered, “We are all here.” I tried to get in by the door; but that was of no use. I scrambled over the broken boughs of the trees, and tore a hole through the fallen roof; first got a tin basin, which she handed me, and put out the fire, and then got out the two children safe; and she came next, with a sprained ankle and a bruised head. It was well things were not worse, although they were bad enough. It so happened, some time before this I had felled two trees, which lay alongside the house behind the chimney; one of them rested on the root of one that had fallen of itself before I built my house, and the other lay above that again a little crossed, which made somewhat like a low wall about four feet high, upon which the upper part of the trees fell, and prevented them from going to the ground, or else all lives inside the house would have been lost, for the tops of the trees went in over where she was sitting by the fire sewing, and the children by her on the floor playing themselves. She was page 78 knocked from her seat, and got covered with rubbish, and when crawling to a clear place to a back part of the house opposite to where she had been sitting, she felt her foot held fast, and had to pull it out, but in so doing she somewhat sprained her ankle However, when she got clear, she began to think, what if I were killed myself before I got to her assistance. The weather still seemed to get worse, and when I got them out they were truly a pitiable sight. Our next consideration was, where were we to go. “Leave me,” was her reply, “and take the children with you, and see if you can find some shelter, and I shall wait till you return, for I can’t walk.” So, with the youngest on my back and the other at my foot, I went forth. I asked my nearest neighbour, whose land adjoined to mine, for the use of an old house, whose walls were all away, the roof only remaining supported by only a few posts. It was now a mere useless shed; but for what reason I cannot tell (as I was assured I had done him no harm), my request was denied. As he would not grant it, I proceeded farther, and entered another one’s house, and was frankly received. I set down the children without much farther ado than merely telling what had happened, and so hastened to the scene of desolation. I found my wife upon her knees, lying against a log in a swoon. While coming along I met a friend, who returned with me, and kindly offered his assistance to take her to the place of shelter. She awoke as I touched her, and looked up as in astonishment; but we lost no time in having her removed, as the rain was still increasing. Suffice it to say, we got safe within doors, and another neighbour had come to condole with her misfortunes, and render what assistance she could, for which I felt exceedingly grateful. When going back to bring out my blankets and bedding I found my ungenerous neighbour busy with his axe cutting down the posts which bore up the old roof, as much as to say I should not be there. However, I was made as comfortable as circumstances would allow where I was received, though the accommodation was not large, besides the people having a large family themselves (which bespoke the more for their kindness), until I got my old habitation put to rights. This was no small task; the weather blew cold, and the rain fell constant for about two weeks while engaged at my work, and I had none to assist me. Many a time my hand, through handling the wet stuff about me, felt so cold that I could not put the tips of my fingers and thumb together. The days were short, and I could make but little progress alone, but by perseverance I got on by degrees. Sometimes when I would come in the morning to work, the cat would come crawling out of a spoiled hat-box, and, with a long, serious mew, would seem to say, “I pity your misfortune, but I cannot help you:” which made me oft, even amid such desolations, burst out into a fit of laughter. However, in about a fortnight I was enabled to re-enter my cottage with a thankful heart.
(3, p. 7.)
As if they could no longer dine
On flesh of grov’ling brutes called swine.
When Captain Hobson became Governor over New Zealand he fixed his seat at first at the Bay of Islands, and he let a considerable time pass before he paid Port Nicholson a visit. But when he came it appeared the good folks in this district had little else to set before his Excellency for dinner but pork, which, according to the gossip of the day, he did not well relish; accordingly shooters were sent abroad to procure pigeons, to make a variety on the dinner table. However, as he paid the people of Port Nicholson no more of his visits, the Newspaper authors of the day began to grumble about his absence, and at last they began to surmise a reason—namely, because he could have nothing when last here but “pork.”
(4, p. 7.)
Unlike the kakas’ noisy fits,
Unlike the thievish paroquets.
The kaka is a kind of parrot, of a reddish grey colour, and is easily tamed when taken young. When numbers meet round a tree-top, as they generally fly pretty high, they make a loud, harsh, disagreeable noise; but sometimes that kaw-ing noise is relieved by a call-like whistle—as calling some mate. The paroquet is what may be called a small parrot, about the size of a starling or measlethrush found in Scotland, nearly wholly of a pea-green colour, and having a red (nearly approaching to scarlet) ring round the upper part of its bill. Its habits are of a thievish and destructive nature, especially where grain is growing. They will assemble in great flocks at the edge of the clearing when the wheat is out in ear, and behead almost every stalk for at least a couple of yards round the wheat-patch border, sometimes nipping off the head and letting it fall, as well as taking others into the bush with them. But as they destroy more than they eat, they are the cause of a great deal of loss of crop, unless they are constantly watched and shot at to frighten them away—which seemed to form the reason, with the speaker, why the pigeons more than those referred to, should be allowed the enjoyment of peace.
(5, p. 8.)
When quite without that missive thunder,
Which works us death, though erst our wonder.
When we first landed in the Hutt District of Port Nicholson’ at the commencement of this colony, many who went out a pigeon-shooting were quite amused at the seeming tameness of the birds, which seemed to take no notice of their pursuers, but sat upon the lower berry trees feeding while the muzzle of the fowling-piece or musket (such as it happened to be) was almost touching them, so seldom were they ever troubled before.
(6, p. 10.)
But strange the while,
In hunting us with no small toil,
To time they show but small respect,
And other great concerns neglect.
There certainly has been, from the first of the colony, no small portion of time lost in pigeon-shooting. I have seen several men who seemed to have more pleasure in going about with their guns than in preparing their ground for receiving their seed, so much taken up with the novelty of the game in looking for “good marks,” though, as Franklin would say, they only proved bad ones.
* The necho, or neko, is a large tree-like plant known elsewhere as the mountain cabbage, and grows here to a considerable height. Its leaves extend from six to ten feet in length, and consist of a thick stem tapering off to a point, with a groove running up the centre; along each side branch out bayonet-shaped leaves, from two to three inches apart and from two to three feet long, and which may look much like a peacock’s feather. These, when placed closely together, with the side leaves interwoven, form, under another layer of leaves, a good covering for a rough bush cottage.
Canto II.
(1, p. 16.)
Te Aro Tot’ra line.
This place received its name from a number of large totara-trees which grew in the nighbourhood of the line of road, which place is about two and a half miles above the Hutt bridge, and was so called by the natives, which may be rendered, the Totara road. At the time referred to in the scope of the Poem the place was a dense forest, without the appearance of a clearing; and the road, if such it could be called, was merely passage cut through page 81 about a chain wide, but the logs lying on each side made the passage comparatively small, although some places by the roadside, where the logs had been burnt, and so cleared away, the natives had such patches fenced in and converted into potato gardens, leaving but small space for passage, which was rendered almost a puddle by the treading of cows and horses going in quest of food, gathering what they could from the low bushes and tufts of grass which grew along the way.
(2, p. 31.)
He said the ruling Governor
Had gone some ten degrees or more
Astray, lunatic.
Such was the opinion of one of the Auckland Newspapers, which was quoted in one of the Wellington Newspapers of the time, which was ready to give all kind of Government scandal as wide a circulation as possible.
(3, p. 32.)
Whom he most did favour.
The many favours which were shown to the Maories in and round Auckland brought upon the Governor not only the jealousy of the European settlers there, but also the stigmatic appellation of the “Maori Governor.” But when he could no longer satisfy the demands of the natives to keep them quiet—such as horses, blankets, &c.—they began to get unruly, and so defied British authority; which led on to a declaration of war in the Auckland District and the Bay of Islands. A party of natives, headed by Honi Heke, a native chief, cut down the British flag-staff, plundered and much damaged the town by fire and otherwise, so that the inhabitants were glad to escape; although it was said that they did not seek life, but only the property by way of satisfaction.
(4, p. 33.)
Thus have they taken up the song
Of landlord’s claims, postponed so long.
The land-claims was a subject which occupied the attention of the public for a considerable time, the settlement of which was page 82 tardy in the extreme, and formed a seemingly lasting theme of animadversion and complaint with the newspapers. The landlords or holders of land grumbled much, as well as did the absentee agents, because they had no title valid in the estimation of law as a security whereby either to hold or sell. And the labourer looked upon the unsettled question as a reason why there was so little to do, and could not but join in with their complaints, with the hope that when that was settled work would become more abundant, and consequently wages would increase. While, at the same time, some of the neighbouring native chiefs, especially Rauparaha and Rangiheate, with their tribes, thought to take advantage of such affairs, and proscribe the land-marks, declaring all lands above two miles from the bay belonged to them, and that they had not had the payment for it, and therefore they claimed it. Accordingly the natives, under the directions of their leaders, cut a line across the Hutt valley, about the distance above-named from the shore of the Bay, and using threats to some to be off from the land they had above this line, and to some few who spoke civilly they granted leave to remain, although even to them they were often the cause of no small annoyance. These natives, seeing the advantage of cultivating potatoes to some extent, set about clearing and taking possession of the land, encouraged, no doubt, by the transactions of the Bay of Islands, and the Governor’s remissness* of punishing the crimes that had been committed against the honour and peace of the British Crown. Such intrusions as above mentioned, and the jealousies arising therefrom, acted as a powerful impulse for the colonists in general to unite in preparing for war, and acting together for mutual defence; such as in the case of the wealthier classes swearing in the poorer as special constables, next, by the Government aid, in building stockades, (these were built jointly by voluntary contributions, either in labour or cash, and by the Government expense,) and calling up of a volunteer local militia.
(5, p. 33.)
So long’s no skirmish happens here.
While the natives alluded to (in Note 4) retained the lands they had taken possession of in peace, they gave little or no occasion for anything of alarm. But as they had broken faith with the Land Commissioner, in not leaving the land at the expiration of the time agreed to, after they had received a goodly sum for their good-will—the militia was kept up for some time lest some outburst should occur to endanger common good. Many of the mili-page 83tia were so well pleased with their employ that they seemed to wish it always to last, so that some of the serjeants talked of getting “uniform jackets,” to replace the “blue serge shirts,” about the time they were first disbanded.
(6, p. 34.)
Of taxes oft from us exacted.
Wellington had much cause of complaint in regard to the duties levied and raised in Port Nicholson, which were sent to the seat of Government at Auckland, there to be spent, while this place lay neglected, though much it required the use of its own dues and taxes for local improvements.
Canto III.
(1, p. 43.)
And seek out breaches in the laws.
The speaker seems to refer to the practice of lawyers in our law courts, who seem more to pervert justice than to support it, according as they are paid, and the side of the question to which they are hired.
(2, p. 44.)
Pleased with his aim I’ve oft him spoke
Approving praise, and sung “more pork.”
It is certainly very praiseworthy in some of our early settlers of the humbler classes, in their endeavours to rise above the necessity of being obliged to earn a mere precarious subsistence from haughty lordlings, who would seem more to act the slave-driver than the laudable employer. In the evening, after the day’s work was done to another, and after having been refreshed by the evening repast, but more inspired by the hope of being soon his own master, would many an humble cotter take the advantage of the moon’s bright beams at his own work; so continuing often to a late hour, many of whom are now reaping the benefits of their hardy exertions. Although I have often done the same, I am sorry to add, as I believe, I am an exception.
(3, p. 45.)
One plump and large, the other thin.
The description of the two rats, with their conversations, is, I apprehend, a fit allegorical representation of the customs and circumstances which generally prevailed.
(4, p. 51.)
And where is San?
To save the reader any anxiety about him, I may here say, that it has been reported that he was found next morning in bed, but so battered and bruised that he could not be seen for a week, though some affirm for a fortnight. However, he was so long absent from the heels of his workmen that they began to suspect he was dead, and in order to show their affection for him they made out amongst themselves the following Epitaph.
(To be engraved on the upper edge of the stone.)
to the memory of our beloved master, |
|
(On this side, facing the east.)
|
(On that side, facing the west.)
|
Canto IV.
(1, p. 59.)
So they began to trade and sell
This land, before they could it call
Their own, &c. &c.
It is a remarkable fact, which shows the very unbusiness-like manner of doing, that the land was parcelled out in sections before it was known where such sections were to be had. Nay, even purchasers of the land paid for it before it was bought, or knew where the land lay. It was indeed very imposing to read, in some of the English journals, concerning the drawing of lots, which said, “when a native reserve ticket was drawn great cheering was made;” but this, when viewed through the medium of cool judgment, shows itself only to be a piece of deceit, when considered that such did not belong to them at the time, however much it showed a kind of charitable feeling; but it was only putting fancy in the place of reality, for when ships with emigrants were despatched, and when they arrived in the Straits,* the captains of such vessels had no small difficulty to learn to what port they were to steer, as the Directors of the Company could not give such information when they started, which shows on how much absurdity the formation of the Company rested at the outset.
(2, p. 59.)
But trusting to the toss of chance,
Or an o’erruling Providence, &c. &c.
It was, indeed, a lucky circumstance that the Port Nicholson tribe of natives, being at variance with another tribe whom this one somewhat dreaded, which induced the natives to part with their land to the interest of the New Zealand Company, because they were made to understand that they would then have powerful allies to defend them from the tribes they dreaded. Such considerations, with the goodly variety of warlike weapons along with the other things they received, were powerful inducements, which in themselves go far to confirm how much their success depended, at the time, as it were, on the “toss of chance.”
* Such was the case with the Captain of the Bengal Merchant.
(2, p. 60.)
Meanwhile
O’er the fair prospect, some would smile
As being fit to portion off,
A rising family, &c.
In the early part of our Colony’s history, I think the beginning of the second year, the letters received by some land agents from their absentee constituents were, in some respects, rather amusing, as they displayed the great expectations such landowners entertained in reaping almost immediate benefits from their recent purchases of their land orders. One, for instance, writes to his agent, (Mr. Child,) thanking him for the great care he had taken in selecting his land, observing also, that as one section contains a great deal of very valuable timber, and another of an abundance of flax, he hoped that he would see to dispose of them to the best advantage, so that he might be able to realise from them a handsome profit.
(3, p. 63.)
Should he return with fortune bright,
And set all seeming wrongs to right.
No doubt but many who left home, as it were, “on the sly,” so as to escape the consequences of bankruptcy, had, nevertheless, some hopes, or rather a wish, to return and make amends for such seeming misconduct, instances of which has sometimes occurred. One I may here relate. A person belonging to Perth, in Scotland, failed in business, and privately absconded, fearing, through delicacy of disposition, to face his creditors; having eluded their knowledge, he made his way to Sydney, in Australia. There he continued for about seven years, and by active industry amassed a considerable fortune, yielding a handsome yearly income, during which time he was never heard of, and was given up for lost. However he again made his appearance in his native town, in mendicant’s garb, as a very poor man. His appearance had somewhat altered, so that he was scarcely known, until he acknowledged he was indeed the person he so much resembled. In the character of a very poor man he asked assistance from one and another of his former creditors, but was refused, except from one, who gave him a few shillings with the advice to “put it to good use, and not waste it.” Shortly afterwards, he caused a great dinner to be made ready in one of the chief hotels in the place, and invited all his creditors and former friends, who came, and were not a little surprised to see the superb style in which he was dressed, and the dinner that was laid out, to which he warmly page 87 invited them to partake; saying, he now felt happy to meet them under such circumstances. When the cloth was removed and the bowl of punch set in the midst, he rose and said, “Let us fill our glasses, and so proceed to business.” While the glasses were filling, he pulled a bag of gold from his coat pocket and his pocket book, and laid them on the table. This caused more surprise, when he said, “I mean now to settle all my accounts. Here’s to good fortune!” he cried, raising his glass; “and I hope you will all do the same.” The toast was responded to with all good will. Then he began to inquire how much of a claim each had against him. The amount altogether did not exceed £350, which he paid, with interest; but to the one who helped him with the few shillings and advice he paid with compound interest. “Now,” said he, after he had paid all, “I hope you are all satisfied.” To which all expressed entire satisfaction, and began each to tell him what they thought concerning his long absence, yet all allowed they never dreamed of seeing his face. But hoped that now, as he had again come among them, he would make himself contented to pass the remainder of his time with them. “Na, na!” was the reply; “I would not live in such a place as this is for all you could give me; but, however, let us spend this night in good will, for I must go back to where I came from in a day or two.” But that day or two extended to more than a month, and when he went he took with him as his wife the eldest daughter of the one who bestowed on him the few shillings.
(5, p. 66.)
The labourer came,
But where was the employer?
This is one of the greatest evils connected with the once much lauded Wakefield system of colonization. In fact, it was no system of colonization, but only a credit system of land-jobbing, in so far as the principals were concerned—such as one set of speculators bought land, and paid for it from another set of speculators who sold it, and who yet had the land to find even after it was sold. Such was the mode of setting up the business of the system,—and also sending out labourers, to give their schemes some value in the eyes of land-purchasers; while these, instead of going to take possession of their land when it could be found, remained at home; and, no doubt, in this they displayed a good deal of what may be termed “low common sense.” There were, it is true, a few land-purchasers who came out; but the most of these were in the hopes of obtaining their land, and so begin operations upon it by themselves; so that from them—enterprising though their intentions were—the landless labourer could not hope to derive any benefit in the shape of employment and due remuneration. Some others, who came out expecting to be able to commence operations at once, went away disgusted with the place, when they saw the land could not be had at the time, and knew page 88 not where it might be, and could not wait till it could be found for them—besides considering the denseness of the forest, and the expense it would cost in clearing. There were others who would have begun operations, but they could not get upon their land on account of it being so far out of the way, and the want of even the form of a road; while the land that was most available and, so to speak, at hand, was owned by absentees, whose agents could give no employment on it, nor in some cases would dispose of it.*
The Company which claimed ownership of the land at the time being did, according to promise, raise some employment for the immigrants, but it was merely of a nominal nature; and even the roads for opening up the Valley of the Hutt, and other districts—if roads they could be called—were not begun to, till after a good deal of delay, and some little grumbling and memorializing of the principal Agent by the resident landowners wishing to get a sight of where their land lay.† Though the roads, when they were begun, gave employment for the numerous labourer immigrants that had arrived, yet that did not at all relieve the colony from the curse of absenteeism that brooded over it, and to which may be traced all the trials and grievances to which the colony has been subjected.
(6, p. 66.)
While vauntingly they show’d address,
Fu llless to govern than t’ oppress.
* When first I bethought myself of obtaining a lease of a piece of land, I called upon a certain land agent, who held his agency in Co. with another. “Well,” said he, before I had time to speak, eyeing me through his glasses and rubbing his hands, “I suppose you have come to pay some rent.” “Rent! No, sir!” said I. “I have come to inquire whether you have any land to let.” “Oh, take a seat,” said he, shuffling some papers aside. Mr.——will shortly be in, and he’ll show you the map.” Mr.——came in, and my errand was made known; then I was taken to Mr.——’s lodgings, with the map; it was shown to me; but when he learned I had no “capital,” the map was rolled up, and I was advised to have nothiug to do with it. Instances of difficulties of a very serious nature, such as getting lost in the bush, arising from the careless snpineness of agents, could be given if space would allow.
† At that time several gentlemen landowners, resident then in the colony, among whom was Dr. Evans, offered to assist the principal Agent with the aid of their “purses”—which could be rendered “cash”—in order to open up a road into the Hutt district, on the faith that the Company would return it; but such an offer was declined by the Agent.
Captain Hobson was appointed Lieutenant-Governor over New Zealand, under the Government of Sir G. Gipps, of New South Wales. When he came to New Zealand he set up his seat of Government at the Bay of Islands, and there issued a proclamation, claiming all lands in this Colony as the property of the British Crown, granting only a circle round Port Nicholson of twelve miles radius, centreing at the Post Office, which stood on Thorndon Flat, for the use of the Company. This was another sad vexation to many who had chosen land beyond that boundary, as being obliged to give it up, and make another and inferior choice elsewhere, and to others who had expectations of getting sections beyond such bounds; but the most clamorous of disappointed owners of land orders were some agents of absentees. Great credit, however, is due to the exertions of the principal Agent, who went to the seat of Government (Bay of Islands) to negotiate affairs with the Lieutenant-Governor, though without effect, and also to Dr. S. Evans, Mr. Hanson, and others, who next went to Sydney on a like errand, and who, though they were untiring in their efforts at the Government offices in pushing the case of the colonists and the Company’s claims, yet after all their endeavours they could get no satisfaction, and had to come away as it were with a sad disappointment, and which spread a darker gloom over the already shaded aspect of colonial affairs. But, page 90 still further; the magisterial authority which prevailed in the settlement was that which belonged to a penal Government. The police, though of the Company’s immigrants, were, it was reported, armed with pistols, and carried with them short batons, and had their pockets well stored with hand-cuffs, and, as I have heard it affirmed, that they were expected to bring up as many culprits as would pay their wages, or be at the risk of being dismissed the service, and which served as a means to excite them sometimes to provoke a reason for dragging one up to judgment. In going along the beach of Wellington, which was nothing of a smooth road, if one only knocked his foot against a stone in his haste so as to make him stammer along a few steps, he was suspected for being drunk, and consequently taken up and fined 5s., or have a few hours in the stocks if the fine would not be paid; or if one happened to go home from a social meeting of friends, quietly but rather late, he stood in great danger of being obliged to pass the remainder of the night in an uncomfortable and cold lock-up. Things went on in this way, though several remonstrances were made against such tyranny, till one morning Mr. Murphy, the then acting R.P.M., was rather surprised on seeing Dr. Evans, J.P., enter the bench and sit down alongside of him. After exchanging looks of unutterable things, Mr. Murphy asked what business he had there. The Doctor replied, looking hard at him through his spectacles, “I am come to see that justice is done in court.” After some further conversation pro. and con. concerning the Doctor’s intrusion, and finding him firm to his purpose, Mr. Murphy lifted his hat and walked out of court, leaving the “worthy Doctor” to transact the business of the day. This proved a great check to the then existing “rigours of the law.”
(7, p. 66.)
Let the result,
Of all bad management the fault,
Now find its place.
The speaker here makes a sudden transition from the government of Captain Hobson, to near the close of that of Captain Fitzroy’s career. The mismanagement here referred to is that of not fully securing the co-operation and sanction of the Home Government before proceeding with such precipitancy in the forming of a new Colony, which looked like the elopement of an unruly daughter with her lover, more than an honourable departure from her mother’s house with the blessing of her parents—and consequently reaping the fruits of her imprudence.
(8, p. 67.)
And see his roads,
Through which, pack-beast like, he his loads
Must bear, &c.
Some time after the company had got repossessed of the lands they formerly laid claim to, they commenced to open up the country by cutting lines of roads through the bush. They were only lines, but through the softness of the ground, and the closeness of the high bush on each side keeping the road from the influence of sun and air, and by the heavy rains which fell in winter, with also the treading of cattle to and fro, the roads soon became a complete puddle, insomuch one was scarce able to pass along dry-shod, even with waterproof boots. Such was the state of the road leading from the Hutt Bridge to the Taitai; and when one had to carry on his back any of his luggage or provisions from market, as horses and carts or even bullocks were rare, and the owners were loath to risk them upon such roads, it was certainly no easy task. Yet I have known several who located themselves about the Taitai, and had to receive their supplies, such as potatoes and flour, as payment for work done, and had to carry them home (a distance of three and a half miles) through such roads. Yet, strange to say, that bad although the roads were, no endeavours were ever made to improve them, or put them in any sort of repair, during the time of the reigning Government of that period.
(9, p. 67.)
I’ve known him glad to fare
On meanest substitutes.
* This, and many other facts of a like nature, which might be mentioned if required, I felt pleased to hear confirmed at some of our political discussions in the Hutt, but I hope the above will suffice at present to show what many of the early settlers have endured.
(10, p. 67.)
How much of enterprise I’ve seen
In fruitless labour lost, &c.
* I may here say that I have still my hopes of seeing this affair brought into practical use at no great distant date if nothing hinders.
(11, p. 69.)
Whose chief persists
To stick to stingy interest’s laws,
As in discounts he makes a pause
Akin to—No!
* For instance—flour was in market at the time referred to varying from 15s. to 20s. per 100 lb., and was doled out to workmen with “great care” at 4 ½d. per lb.—other things at a like rate.
(12, p. 71.)
And sway’d by faithlessness intense,
In an overruling Providence,
They’ve pack’d their baggage and have gone.
There were a few gentlemen who might have done something in the way of clearing their land, and so giving employment even to the men they brought with them. But it appears they only came for a different purpose—namely, only to watch the chances of the land market, and realise the highest price possible, and so be gone. About the time of the disturbances arising at the Bay of Islands several, having sold their lands at good profit, now thought it high time to be off, lest they should be overtaken by the threatening storm.
(13, p. 73.)
Him she appoints to govern right
Has a compound of blue and white,
Which mixture, I’m inform’d, is “Grey.”
Solomon says, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country;” and such seemed to be the experience of the colonists, when they heard of the appointment of Sir G. Grey as Governor-in-Chief over New Zealand. We heard with heartfelt satisfaction of the benefits derived from his administration over South Australia, and of his unwearied exertions for the welfare of the community at large. We felt heart sick of the circumstances in which we were one and all of us placed, and the prospect of having soon such a man amongst us quite revived our spirits with the hope that, what whatever good he effected in the one place, he would surely do the same in this. Nay, we even felt as confident of it as if such things were accomplished. Such were the expectations and hopes with which we looked forward to the future while labouring amid the deep waters of adversity. Nor have we (when I say we I mean chiefly the labouring classes, although that little word may include all) been in the least disappointed.
(14, p. 73.)
To many prove the rise to wealth,
And much restore the public health
Now sunk so low.
In former Notes I have given some illustrations of the depressed state of the times before Sir G. Grey was appointed Governor over New Zealand; but time and appearances now loudly declare the great alterations that have occurred in people’s circumstances; for instance, many who once could scarce get a shoe to their foot can now ride upon their own horses; and many who sometimes did not know where or how to obtain a meal’s victuals, can now boast of their many broad acres of land and of the number of their cattle. Look also at the improvements which show themselves now everywhere compared with what before they were. Through him chiefly the working man found employment, through which channel benefits more or less have flowed to all. In other respects industry has been roused to greater activity—money, the great stimulus of society has got into circulation, so that every one now, comparatively speaking, enjoys a happiness which can be read in their faces, and which they once little expected ever to experience. Nay, the bitterest of our Governor’s enemies, whatever shade of politics they may profess, must also acknowledge, even at the slightest retrospect, that times with him have indeed wonderfully improved.
(15, p. 73.)
When man in peace shall till the soil,
Nor longer care our joys to spoil.
Pigeon shooting seemed to be the rage of the day, instead of other ordinary labours; so that it appears the pigeons seemed to feel the effects of the times referred to above. But the speaker seemed to show that other times were coming, when man would derive more profit in cultivating the lands he would acquire under the Governorship of Sir G. Grey, than in seeking their lives—so allowing them the enjoyment of their ancient privileges; and I believe such is now generally the case!