Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Tales of Banks Peninsula

No. 14—"Chips."

page 164

No. 14—"Chips."

Amongst the remarkable inhabitants of Akaroa, our worthy friend "Chips" may fairly be enumerated. He was a true Pakeha Maori, a race now fast disappearing from amongst us. He had a great reputation amongst the Natives, for two reasons—one was his skill in building and mending boats and other vessels, he being a ship's carpenter by trade; and the other his no less ability, according to them, of patching up human craft. As a doctor he gained great fame, and no doubt the faith with which his prescriptions were taken tended in no small measure to their success. "Chips" was not an old Peninsula resident, most of his life having been spent in the North Island. His whare was on Mr. Checkley's ground, near Green Point. The road, after leaving the Cemetery gates, was very rough, part of is being a narrow track on the edge of a considerable precipice, and how "Chips" managed to get home safely in the dark winter nights ig a mystery. On one occasion he did slip over, and fell a considerable distance, but was saved by clinging to the long grasses. The boat shed, where "Chips" works were, was only a few yards from the whare, but was on Government land, being within a chain of high water mark. It was a very primitive edifice, bat was spacious and well furnished, with a great variety, of the necessary tools., A visitor would generally find "Chips" at work here, and in no degree disinclined to enter into conversation. He was a very intelligent man, of fair education, and, as will be seen by his narrative, bad seen a great deal of the world,

Adolph F. Henrici, known familiarly as "Chips," was born at Hamburg His father, a respectable tradesman, wanted him to become a linen draper, but he had taken it into his head he would be a ship's carpenter, and, with the aid of a schoolfellow, he secretly visited an old ship's carpentar on Sundays, from whom he learnt the trade, His father was still more displeased at an attachment he formed with a young girl in the neighbourhood, and there was a separation, "Chips" going his first sea trip in the year page 1651837, the ship being the Friendship, of Sunderland, and her destination New York. The trip was uneventful, and he then went to India in the Francis Smith. From there they went to China with opium and other cargo, and got into great troubie because the captain's wife was aboard, the mandarins searching the vessel. The lady escaped by being put into another vessel, which luckily was not searched, The laws were strict against the introduction of opium, but the authorities received bribes and winked at the trade. After many adventures in this trade, "Chips" went to England, From thence he paid a visit to his native town, but he did not stop long, proceeding to Bordeaux in an English vessel called the John and James. She loaded for Mauritius, but calling in at the Cape of Good Hope on her way, "Chips" left her to join the Thomas Sparks, Captain Sharp, bound for Wellington and Nelson, New Zealand, with emigrants. This was in 1843, and in January, 1844, the ship arrived safely in Wellington. Here "Chips" left the ship and worked for a time in the Hutt Valley, Getting tired of this, he went whaling at Table Cape, on the East Coast, There were three boat crews, no Maoris amongst them, a man named Dawsey, a half-caste negro, being in command. They only got one whale in the season, but she yielded eight tons of oil. His great skill as a boat-builder now became known, and he was offered a good sum to go to Poverty Bay to repair a little vessel, He went there, and remained some time, but a Native chief living at Ahuriri, known to the English as Jacky Tighe, "persuaded him to go to Hawke's Bay, where, he said, there were a number of boats to build. He then went up and lived at Pakawhai, on the Ngararora River, where he resided with the Natives at a big pa and built many large boats. The Maoris thoroughly appreciated his skill, and a Rangitiera named Tokomanu, who was afterwards one of their representatives, wanted to give his sister to "Chips" as a wife. The Rev. Colenzo, however, opposed this, and so enraged Tokomanu that he threatened to burn the church and return all the Maori Testaments. "Chips," however, who page 166was not particularly enamoured of the lady, persuaded the enraged chieftain to listen to reason, and his sister was bestowed on another Maori.

About this time Bloody Jack came on a visit to Te Hapuka, a great Maori warrior living in the vicinity, who, though not of a high Maori lineage, had raised himself to be a "Rangitiera nui "by his bravery and skill in warfare. Bloody Jack came across the straits from Akaroa in a big boat called the Mary Ann, which was the identical vessel for which he had sold the Peninsula to Hempleman. On leaving Ahuriri he presented the boat to his host, Te Hapuka. Now, this gift was not such a very great one after all, for the native vessel had fallen into terrible disrepair, and was perfectly useless without it was skilfully mended, an operation involving special knowledge. But Te Hapuka had seen what "Chips" could do, and in his difficulty had turned to him He had, of course, heard all about Tokomanu's sister, and knew "Chips" had no wife, and, being a wily savage of an economical turn, he offered to provide "Chips" with a female companion if he mended the boat, Three girls from Mohaka happened to be visiting at the pa, and he gave "Chips" his choice of the lot, Now this, to say the least of it, was a trifle arbitrary, for he had no right to either of them, and two were "tapu" to Maori chiefs, The third, who was the one "Chips" fancied most, was only "tapu" to a Native of no pretensions as to blue blood, residing at Mohaka. However, Te Hapuka didn't care whether he had a right to them or not; he wanted his boat mended, and "Chips" wanted someone to look after his whare and cook for him, so the bargain was concluded, "Chips" selecting the young lady who waa betrothed to the Maori of "low degree." It will thus be seen that "Chips" gained his wife by repairing the boat for which Banks Peninsula was sold to Hempleman!

Now, the Maori to whom "Chips'" wife had been bet othed was exceedingly wroth, and so were all the rest of the family; but "Chips" did not care for this, being protected by the powerful Te Hapuka, and by and by page 167these new relatives of big came to the conclusion that it was not a bad thing at all to have a Pakeba Maori for a near connection, and became reconciled to the match. A new trouble, however, soon arose Te Hapuka, directly his boat was mended, got tired of "Chips," and formed the plan of taking the wife he had given him away, because, having learned something of European cooking and behaviour from "Chips," he thought she would be a good wife to his (Te Hapuka's) son "Chips" was kept in strict ignorance of this, but the father of Ene Mari Ropini, for such was her name, was spoken to Now, he was perfectly satisfied with "Chips'" who, in his opinion, had given "utu" enough for his daughter; and besides, he knew the girl was attached to "Chips," and would suffer from a separation. He did not, however, dare to express his thoughts openly while Te Hapuka was near, so he dissembled, and pretended that he would acquiesce in the arrangement in a short time. One day he went to "Chips," who was building a boat in the bush, and said to him, "If I were you I should build that boat bigger; you might have to go a voyage in it." "Chips" thought something was up, and took the hint, and built the boat fit for the sea instead of for the river, as at first intended. Te Hapuka didn't like the evident friendship between "Chips" and his father in law, and the latter was so frightened that he used to go away and sleep in a fresh place every night, with a tomahawk by his side, being afraid Hapuka might take a fancy to destroy him. An uncomfortable month or two passed in this way, and at last one evening Hapuka announced his intentions with regard to the girl to several of the Maoris, and fixed the following evening for the abduction. A friend of "Chips" worthy father in-law told him what Hapuka had resolved on, and he went at once to. "Chips" and said, "It is time for you and my daughter to be at Mohaka." Thoroughly versed by this time in Maori warnings, and knowing the case was desperate, "Chips" got the-boat ready for sea, though the weather was very bad. This fact was probably his salvation, for Te Hapuka never dreamt that the boat, page 168which he looked upon as only fit for the river, could live in such a sea "Chips," his wife, and his faithful father-in law and friend passed a dreadful night, tomahawk in hand, fearing that every sound they heard was the dreaded Te Hapuka, or some of his myrmidons, coming to tear them away from each othar for ever. Great indeed was their relief when the grey dawn enabled 'them to steal down to the boat. The sea was by this time moderating, and with hopeful hearts they committed themselves to the Ngararora, whose rapid current speedily carried them out to sea. The passage was an uneventful one, and they arrived at Mohaka in good spirits, Te Hapuka was furious at first, and said be would take his warriors and burn down the Mohaka pa, and do all sorts of things, but remembering on reflection that the defences there were very strong, and that they were defended by a great many friends of the "Chips" party, he thought it better to extend his partriarchal forgiveness

"Chips, lived at Mohaka for many happy years. He had plenty of work, for the stations along the coast wanted whaleboats to ship off their wool to the small craft that used to eome to fetch it, and the small vessels also wanted repairing, His family increased rapidly, and the pa as a whole was very prosperous. The Natives, however, had one fear—they were on bad terms with the Uriwera tribe, that lived further inland, in a wild and almost inaccessible country, and, were afraid of being taken by surprise. Some of them used to sleep in a pass some distance away from the pa every night, in order to give warning of their enemies' approach, and the pas were strongly fortified. A few white people were now living on the Mohaka, and when the news came of the Maori war in the North, and the Waikatos announced their intention of killing the Queen's Maoris'and whites along that part of the East Coast, the Government put. up a substantial blockhouse at the mouth of the Mohaka, and sent some ammunition there, and a few troopers to defend it. There were two pas, both well fortified. As is the Maori custom, they were perched on the highest ground in the neighbour-page 169hood. One was on the edge of a cliff more than four hundred feet high, the other was on an eminence surrounded by comparatively level ground, and as they had plenty of guns, the Natives deemed themselves impregnable. The Waikatos, however, never came, the troops were withdrawn, and the blockhouse was left in charge of the Maoris, who buried moat of the powder. The news of Te Kooti's return from the Chathams, and the massacre at Poverty Bay reached them, but they never dreamed of his visiting their locality, and the fears of the Uriweras had died out, so that no precautions were taken. In April, 1869, the Hero arrived with stores from Napier. "Chips" fetched her into the river, and she discharged her cargo (which consisted of stores of all kinds, including grog) on to the bank. Now, the name of the chief of Mohaka was Paul Rurepu, who was a very great Rangitiera indeed. A wife of his was ill at this time, so he determined to send her to Napier in the Hero for medieal advice. She agreed to go, but insisted on "Chips" wife (who was a great friend of hers) accompanying her. The Hero did not intend to sail till the 12th of the month, but on the 8th "Chips" had a dream to the effect that if she did not leave the river the next day she never would. The presentiment left by this dream was so strong that he persuaded the captain to go to sea the following day, against his will, which turned out to be a lucky job for him and all the others aboard, The Natives had a plantation about two and a half miles up the river, and the great majority of the young men and women were working there at the time, Whilst working at this plantation they used to sleep in some whares there, only returning to the pa at intervals. More than sixty of them went to rest in these whares on the night of the 9th April. They only woke to die, for the first break of day some two hundred Hau Haus, led by the ferocious and pitiless Te Kooti, surrounded the whares and mercilessly shot down and tomahawked all. Out of sixty five only two—a man and a young girl—escaped to tell the tale. The sound of the firing was heard at the pas, and they knew that the Hau

page 170

Haus were on them. "Chips"' brave old father in-law came to him and said, "You must go and take your youngest boy with you, or his mother will go mad. It is better for you to go at all hazards, for they are sure to kill all the white men, but may spare the Maoris. I will remain here with the other children " "Chips" had some difficulty in persuading any one to accompany him in the boat, for the sea was very rough,. and they were afraid of being drowned. At last one of his daughters, a white man who had been working for him, and two Natives got into the boat with him and his boy, and they got safe to sea. The white man was half dead with fright, and pulled so badly that "Chips'" daughter gave him the baby boy to hold, and took the oar herself. After warning people on the coast, they reached Napier in safety and gave the alarm.

After killing all the people on the plantation, the Hau Haus divided into two parties, one going down each side of the river. Their progress was one of blood. A Mr. Leven, a white settler, and his wife and three children were first killed; the next victims were a Mr. Cooper and a lame shepherd. Seven whites were thus added to the list of murders, but the more they killed the more blood thirsty they seemed to be. Arriving at the smaller pa, the one situated at the brink of the precipice, they assailed it with the greatest fury. A number of men, by cutting holes for their toes in the clay and soft rock, scaled the height, the projecting palisading saving them from the guns of their foes. Once at the fence they soon made an impression on it and the defenders of the pa being called upon to open the gates, and promised quarter, admitted the enemy. They first demanded that all arms should be given up, and killed several men. Hatea, a Native who worked far "Chips" on being called to give up his gun, refused, and Te Kooti immediately aimed at him, Hatea returning the compliment; both fired together, but unluckily Te Kooti escaped with a ball through his leg, while poor Hatea fell dead. The Hau Haus next tried to fire the chureh, whieh was a raupo building. Strange to page 171say, on this occasion, this inflammable material would not burn, and, after trying three times without avail, they called out that the church was bewitched by an unfortunate woman who was sitting near, and murdered her most barbarously with their tomahawks, literally chopping her to atoms in their mad frenzy. The great majority now Went down to the blockhouse, and burned and destroyed as they went. Finding the stores that Captain Campbell had landed from the Hero, they soon got at the grog, and. before long many were in a state of beastly intoxication. Night now descended on the horrible scene. There were four of "Chips" children in the pa, the eldest, a girl of fifteen, having recently married a Maori. Their poor old grandfather, who had been such a good friend to "Chips," had been murdered, and they determined to endeavour to escape. Slowly and cautiously they made a hole through the wall of the pa on to the side of the precipice, across which ran a narrow and difficult path. At length the work was accomplished, and one by one three of "Chips'" children and two others, who were their friends, crept through the hole, and stood in safety outside the pa, the watchfulness of the Hau Haus being relaxed through their frequent potations. It was only then that they discovered that the youngest one was not amongst them. Her heroic eldest sister did not hesitate a moment. Telling the others to proceed, she returned to the scene of danger, and miraculously passing unharmed amid the drunken Hau Haus returned with the little one, and at last stood safe outside on the ledge of the precipice, But her second passage had aroused some of the Hau Hau guards; the alarm was given, and two of them discovered the hole through which the brave children had escaped, rushed through in pursuit, after giving the alarm by firing their guns. They met with a speedy and terrible death. Not knowing the ledge, they stepped into the outer darkness, and falling down the precipice were shattered on the rocks below, Two other Hau Haus, either undeterred by, or unaware of their comrades' fate, gained the ledge in safety, and sped after the poor children. The spirits they had page 172drunk, however, probably rendered their footing uncertain, and at a treacherous turn in the path they too slipped and fell, meeting the same well deserved fate as their comrades. Guarded, as it would appear by a special Providence, the children reached the bottom of the cliff in safety, and stood on the banks of the Mohaka. On the other side was comparative safety, so they made up their minds to swim it. One was nearly drowned, but eventually all landed in safety; some horses belonging to a neighbour were caught, and before dawn they were far on their way to Napier, and safe from the pursuit of the Hau Haus, The Hau Haus never discovered the place where the powder was buried, which was a great disappointment as this was their principal object. They remained in the neighbourhood for some time, the Government having no force to cope with them, and they retired by the path they came.

"Chips" went to live at Pakowhai again, and after a time was persuaded to go to Lake Taupo to build some boats for Mr. Ormond, who was then superintendent. His daughter Anna had run away from home and come to Akaroa, and on a visit to her father she spoke in such high terms of the place that he determined to come and live here, so some thirty six years ago he came. Both he and bis wife were much respected by the Maoris, and much loved by their children.