Another Cruise, Paddle and Pole.

That was one of many canoe voyages up the great Wanganui made by Mr. Maclean, in his capacity as Government Agent, often as peacemaker. Of a cruise up to Pukehika in August, 1850, he wrote:—

“At 10 a.m. we left the town in a canoe manned by fifteen good stout natives, to go up the river. Te Rauparaha's son, Tamihana, accompanied us, on his first visit up the river. He seemed greatly delighted with the liberal arrangements and large reserves made for the Whanganui natives; also with the idea that we now sold back land to the natives at a moderate price. It rained very much, but the natives are of such amphibious habits, that they paddled up in a most happy and cheering strain, all the way to Parikino; where Mr. Park (the surveyor) and myself, after dining, are comfortably quartered.

“We slept at Hikurangi, a nice karaka

(Govt. Publicity photo.) Retarake, Upper Wanganui River.

grove, where oft I have slept before. We arrived at 11 a.m. on the 5th at Pukehika, shortly after the food prepared for a large feast was divided; care being taken to lay aside a good share for us.

“The scene presented here resembles the Holy Fair. People from all places are flocked together, in their fanciful dresses. It is hard to guess how much the simple New Zealanders are animated by Christian zeal, in attending these meetings; but it is certain that in a political view, if an Agent of Government is present, that they are attended with great good; as the native feeling is so easily ascertained; and explanations rendered, of the intentions of Government, so frequently misapprehended by an extremely jealous race. There are several hundred persons of all ranks and ages, assembled here, intent on their religious duties, probably as much as an equal number of our own country people here; and certainly quite as intent as they would be in devouring the food prepared for them, and enjoying the gossip and scandal of the women and idlers of the party.”

This sage young officer of the Government made comment in his notes that when the natives of the wild, broken interior country of the Wanganui could afford to feed 1,400 people for three days together, and have tons of food to spare afterwards, “how well might our British country-people manage to live, even in the wildest parts of New Zealand, and be much better off than in their present starved condition in the Old Land.”