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Historical Records of New Zealand South

Preservation Inlet

Preservation Inlet.

Rakituma is the name given by the Maoris. It seems tolerably free from corruption, but its meaning is obscure. It makes a phrase signifying "the northern gods with an excess of one." How all that godifying comes to pass I can't imagine. The place don't seem a whit more hallowed than its surroundings.

A bad accident occurred. It is reported in Sydney, Shipping Records of March 24, 1822. The whale ship Indian, Captain West, was inside refitting. A whale suddenly spouted up, and the unfortunate skipper lowered away for it. Getting fast, the whale made a false start, which sent the boat swinging into a most dangerous position. Lashing out with its tail, it knocked the boat to shivers, and the occupants were sent broadcast on the water. Rounding on its now helpless assailants, Captain West had the misfortune to be caught between the huge jaws of the animal, and severely lacerated. When picked up he was found to be dreadfully mangled. They made back to the ship, where all the aid that could be given was rendered. After suffering four days' intense agony, the unfortunate man died. He was buried on an island at the entrance page 168to the bay. In 1846 a ship's accident of another kind occurred. It is reported in Sydney, of date September 3, by the "Sydney Packet," which arrived from New Zealand the previous Sunday. On entering Preservation, and with the view of attracting the attention of the whale station, the ship's swivel was fired. The shot did not produce the desired effect. One of her hands—an old English man-of-war's man—undertook to fire the next shot, and in doing so, must have overloaded. No sooner did he apply the "touch" than it burst with a terrible report, shattering the poor fellow's body. Although others were standing by, they escaped unhurt. His remains were collected together, sewn in a hammock, and buried on one of the islands inside the harbour.

A cruel murder occurred in the sound. It was in the year 1838. Randolph Palmer, described as a tall cadaverous Mexican, who wore earrings, was arraigned at Sydney for the murder of a lad, fifteen years of age, named Kundy, in the month of March. The evidence showed that deceased, accompanied by a Maori and an Otaheitan, went out in a boat belonging to the ship, of which Palmer was master. Going ashore for the purpose of trapping Maori hens, the boat got smashed. They made their way back to the whale station overland, and reported the occurrence. The lad was alleged to have been left in charge of the boat. Palmer got into a terrible rage, and thrashed the boy with a rope until he became insensible. Even when unconscious, the brutal fellow kicked him with his heavy sea boots. The laid was left on the ground in the rain during the greater part of the night. Eventually, he was wrapped in a blanket, and taken inside the men's hut. He never regained consciousness, and next day died. Great interest was made to secure Palmer's acquittal, and it was proposed that one Jim Davis, who had informed against him, should be indicted for perjury. That, however, the presiding judge disallowed, stating that he had not the least doubt of Palmer's guilt, and was sorry the evidence was not strong enough to warrant conviction.

Until within a recent date the inlet beaches at Cuttle Cove, where the shore whaling station stood, were thickly strewn with whalebone and whale station refuse. For the manufacture of bone dust, these have all been carefully collected and shipped away.

Te Whara Beach, in the inlet, was the scene of a severe Maori conflict between the two great southern tribes—Ngatimamoe and Ngaitahu. It occurred late in the second decade. Those who visited the inlet some years ago can recall this beach was littered over with human bones. These, it is said, were carried away along with the whalebone refuse, and for a like purpose.

A stalagmitised human skeleton was discovered a few years ago in a cave at Cavern Head, which is only accessible from the sea in fine weather. The theory is that, on making his escape from the aforesaid conflict, he took refuge in the cave, where he got imprisoned, and perished—the body becoming petrified as stated. The mummification was unfortunately destroyed, but the evidence of its find is uncontrovertible.

During the shore whaling days of the inlet, Preservation appears at times to have been a busy seaport. Sydney Shipping Register, October 22, 1839, reports:—Arrived from Preservation Bay, on Sunday last, from whence she sailed on the 4th inst., Success, 82 tons (Captain Catlin), with 52 tuns black oil, and 2 tons whalebone. She reports no fewer than six whalers in and about the bay.