Reminiscences of a Pioneer Family

SOME REMINISCENCES OF A PIONEER FAMILY

L.S.A.M. (Lemuel Sydney A. Meiklejohn….1878-1944 )

 

FOREWORD 1.

To put on record some account of the family, which after a period of voyaging in their own vessel, finally settled in Big Omaha; was discussed, but never done. W. D. Meiklejohn collected a great deal of information and it was a great pity he never undertook its publication. Alex Meiklejohn contributed some, also Heber and my brother Leslie has visited other members of the family and given me their views or rather their remembrances of the early days.

This work should have been put in hand before the last of the pioneers departed. The story will lack complete clearness of detail and much of interest can not be recalled. My brothers and myself are pooling what we remember of the days of old so that the younger members may know something of their stock from which they spring. My illness leaves me a shocking handwriting and I ask the forgiveness of the one who types the transcript.

To all who assisted with the story many thanks. May the younger generation profit by the talk of the pioneers’ work and what they gave us of bravery and work to learn what weakness to avoid, what strength to cherish.

 

THE FOUNDER

James Strange Meiklejohn was born at Edinburgh. He was the only son of a second marriage and had only one relation, his half-brother. Hugh Livingstone. When he grew up he was apprenticed to the shipbuilding trade at the Leith Shipyards and served his time there. While working on a Clipper ship “The City of Edinburgh” one of the workmen broke a deadlight that was being fitted in the deck just over a cabin. The captain, who was supervising the job, was very angry. Turning to the youth (JSM) he said “The boy here could make a better job than that!” He ordered JSM to put the heavy glass in its slot, so the youth laid a thick layer of cloth on the glass and drove it home with a maul, a perfect fit. The captain praised him and said “If ever you want to go to sea, come with me.” When the City Of Edinburgh sailed on her maiden voyage in the China trade JSM was aboard.

Pressing through the Straits of Malacca near Singapore, Malay pirates were sighted, and the crew were mustered to be armed to resist a possible attack by pirates. When the skipper ordered the boatswain to pick out the twelve best men to be given muskets, this youth of 17 years was given the last musket. The others were armed with pikes and cutlasses. Luckily a strong breeze sprang up and the ship was soon beyond reach of attack. On his return JSM was seized by his old employer and obliged to finish his apprenticeship.

Later on he went to sea and worked his way up to be a Master Mariner.

 

AT CALLAS

On a voyage to Callas as second mate JSM quarreled with his skipper who refused to discharge him or even to let him go ashore. JSM was determined to get away and as some fishing boats were passing the vessel he held up a silver dollar and signaled to come over.

He could speak no Spanish and the boats went on. But near dusk one of the returning boats kept tacking off and on near the ship instead of going on to the landing place. Just after dark, the boat bumped on the ship’s bobstay and JSM clambered aboard. The fishermen landed him at the wharf and he gave them his last coins.

He walked about the streets or sat at the steps of the British Consulate, all night. In the morning his skipper came on shore to call on the Consul and there was an argument in the Consul’s office. Calling JSM a “mutinous dog”, the skipper refused to pay him off. The Consul, after hearing both men’s statements, insisted on the captain giving a proper discharges and paying JSM off with Spanish gold pieces (or silver dollars).

 

THE GOOD CHRISTIAN

At Callas JSM fell ill and spent some time in hospital. Here he was visited by a Spanish priest who spoke a little English. The priest questioned him about some religious pictures on the walls and when he recognised the Virgin Mary and several saints, the good father was very pleased. Every day the priest brought fruit or called for a brief chat with the “bueno christano”. One day he brought an Irish colleague who promptly told the Spanish that his good Christian was a “dammed heretic”. The Spaniard never came again.

When quite recovered JSM was able to get a ship back to England.

When JSM was chief officer of a barque carrying Highland emigrants to Canada, a severe storm sprang up; the captain drank so heavily that he became incapable of performing his duties. JSM took charge and navigated the vessel into Halifax, the nearest port. Both officers sent their story to the owners, but as the captain was a relation, an owner’s pet, JSM was dismissed.

On the vessel was a Miss Catherine Mustard, a lady of mixed Huguenot and Highland descent. (“I was born in Inverary and brought up in Inverness” said my Granny.)

When JSM went ashore, the lady went too and they were married straight away. After paying the fees etc, the bridegroom had but 1/6 in his pocket. He promptly took a job in a general store at Halifax (Nova Scotia). The queerest order he was asked to fulfill was a request for some goose yokes. He had no idea what to look for. On asking his employer the man said he was sure they had some and a search in the attic finally revealed them. Small wooden frames to put on the necks of geese to prevent them forcing their way into gardens.

After a time he thought he would like to get work at his proper trade, so he went to Prince Edward Island where he obtained work in the shipyard of Lemuel Owens at Charlotte Town. Later on he was foreman for Lemuel Cambridge. Then he decided to set up on his own account and went to Georgetown (PEl). (The journal of his voyage begins in 1828 and on October 28th 1837 he was at PEl arranging to build his first vessel).

The other builders put every obstacle in his way and he had the greatest difficulty in procuring supplies etc. Not to be beaten he wrote to Andrew Wilson, a Liverpool shipowner, he had previously worked for, stating his case and Mr Wilson backed him, giving and order for the vessel, also guaranteeing supplies.

After launching the brig “Success” local jealousy prevented him from getting a cargo for Liverpool but he succeeded in getting a cargo for the port of Belfast (Northern Ireland).

On arrival there he paid off his crew and sent word to Liverpool, himself living on board as caretaker. After some weeks he saw a shore boat come off and row round the ship. Presently a man came on board and made various inquiries. Finally he revealed that he was Mr Wilson. He was so pleased with the brig that he promised he would continue to back the builders.

 

LIFE IN P.E.I.

My father has often told me of the Island, its splendid summers and the rich red soil that the farmers manured with the blue “mussel” mud dug out in the estuaries of the rivers. The lads enjoyed the berry season, being especially fond of blue-berries, and they also enjoyed catching and eating a delicate small fish called Smelt. He always declared he would like to live in the “Island” only for the long cold winters and the deep snow. There was such danger from bears that the lads got little schooling, only a short time in the summer months. The winter before the family left, two boys were killed by bears.

One dusky evening JSM thought he saw two of his neighbours cows out on the road. Taking a stout stick he tried to drive them back through the gate but the animals broke away and ran off into the woods. Next morning he asked the neighbour if any of the cows were missing but he replied that all the cattle were in the stalls. On going over to look what it might have been they found

the tracks of two large brown bears. Luckily the beasts were fat and lazy, ready for their winter sleep, otherwise they would most like have turned on the bold man who chased them with a stick.

In those days the only way of reaching the Island in winter was by means of the ice-boats which were used to cross the Strait. These boats had runners one each side of the keel and were hauled across the ice-flows and moored in the leads or channels between the flows. It was a very difficult and dangerous crossing. Nowadays ice-breaking steamers are used to reach either Charlottetown or Georgetown.

My Uncle Jim used to tell us of how an election was carried out not long before the family left the Island. In those days each voter went up to the poll clerk who had a big book and said aloud the name of the candidate whom he voted for. The clerk wrote it down and the next voter came up. Before this election the priest and the parson made an attempt to prevent the bitter quarreling which arose at such a time.

Both addressed their parishioners and got promises of peaceful behaviour.

No weapons were to be taken to the polling place and the voters were exhorted to keep the peace. The Irish, however, could not part with their Shillelaghs and when the first Scot arrived and cast his vote for the candidate they disliked, they mobbed him and struck him unconscious in front of the booths.

A small boy who saw all this happen rushed down the village shouting “They’re killing Sandy!” He met Big Malcolm who, after hearing the story, sent him to get the parson’s axe from the woodshed. Going into the woodbox, he cut a five foot cudgel for each of the men with him and a six foot one for himself. Forming the Scots party in double rank they went up to the booth. Formed two deep with room to swing the Scots swept through the Irish and wheeled back again leaving sixteen men on the ground. Then they held the booth till every Scot had voted and marched off home, carrying poor Sandy and allowing the Irish to collect their casualties.

Our folks used to tell stories of folks in the Island. The long sermons up to two hours in length. People from a distance used to carry lunch and eat it in the churchyard if they wished to attend both morning and afternoon service. They told a story of one old man who thought so much of his dog that he wanted it buried in his family plot. When the parson refused, he buried it just outside the fence and while his wife attended service, he himself sat by the dog’s grave and read his Bible.

They told tales of the long courtships and engagements up to fifteen years. (I much enjoyed reading similar tales in L.M. Montgomery’s books dealing with P.E.I.)

Father Chiniquy who left the Catholic Church was the cause of one tale. He had been visiting a man who had just built a new boat. During the morning they had not got a fish. After lunch Father Chiniquy on leaving said “I will leave you my blessing, you will catch one thousand fish”. In the afternoon a good catch was made, 999. When the man said to his helper, a French Canadian; “What do you think of that?” – “By gar! I think de old man still have some blessing in him yet!” replied the Canadian.

One night JSM was returning from Georgetown by river as the ice was strong enough to bear a horse and sledge. In spring the centre ice would break away first, leaving the shore ice still fast and firm. JSM was trying to short-cut from point to point, when, he always declared, he saw his mother, long since dead in Scotland, come and catch the horse’s bridle and lead it shorewards. Following along the shore ice, he reached home safely. In the morning he saw that all the centre ice had broken away. He and his horse would have been drowned if they had gone on straight up the river.

JSM continued to build vessels, sail them to England and sell them. After 24 years in PEl, when his elder sons were grown men and the younger lads 12 and 10 years old, he made up his mind to build a brigantine called the Union and voyage round the world. He would pick up a cargo at some port and carry it to another where it was needed. At this time the family consisted on seven sons – James, John, William, Alexander, Robert, Samuel and Septimus.

 

ON BOARD THE UNION

In 1856 the brigantine Union manned by the Meiklejohn family and a certificated mate and one AB who were not members of the family left Georgetown P.E.I. on her first voyage.

After leaving her moorings, John, the second son decided he would not go with the rest so he jumped overboard and swam ashore. He was determined to stay behind and marry a P.E.I. girl. Some years later, with his wife and two daughters he rejoined the others in N.Z.

The Union carried a cargo to Belfast. While lying in that harbour a boy on a nearby vessel climbed the mast and put his cap on the truck of the topmast.

Lemuel the next to the youngest of the boys climbed the main rigging of the Union, and shimming up the topmast, placed his cap on the truck, several feet higher than his rival. This was the first time the lad had been above the crosstrees.

From Belfast the Union went to Cardiff (S. Wales) to load a cargo of coal for Alicante in Spain. While lying waiting to go under the coal chutes the boys formed the crew of the captain’s gig. They often had to race the gig of an American vessel lying near and they heard about it if they did not beat the other crew to the landing stage.

Seventeen vessels left Cardiff to pass the Straits of Gibralter, one being the smart Yankee whose skipper bragged of her speed, but the Union outsailed her and was first through.

At Alicante the boys saw a bull-fight which my father described to me. Some very tough beef was received on board the vessel and they thought it must have been some from the bull they saw killed. The Union loaded a cargo of wine for Rio Janeiro and on the voyage to Brazil, James who was ship’s carpenter and William, the second mate in charge of the stowage of cargo, noticed that the ends of the barrels were swelling and likely to burst.

They bored holes in the ends, drew off a couple of barrels of excellent wine, and plugged the holes with carefully fitted small wooden plugs. The crew enjoyed the wine, a nice change from the water in the ships casks.

When the cargo was delivered to the merchant in Rio, he declared he had never had a cargo landed in such wonderful condition, not a barrel missing, none burst, everyone in perfect order. To show his appreciation he gave them a barrel as a present in return for their good work.

From Rio the Union went to Monte Video and Buenos Aires. While lying there the elder brother Alexander taught Lemuel and Septimus to swim. The elder boys hired horses and went for a ride into the country. James went off at a gallop and was arrested by the gendarmes. At the court he could not speak Spanish and the magistrate no English. The judge fined him and he was released. Going into the street and being given his horse off he went to rejoin the others.

The Union went up to Paysandu to load bones and hides to go to England (The bones were to be ground into bonedust.) On this voyage they met their only bad weather. The ship was light and the weather so bad that the boys were battened down.

Grandmother, who acted as ship’s cook, refused to stay below decks, when her husband remonstrated, she said “What is good enough for you is good enough for me.” JSM then lashed her to the main mast and himself to the wheel. So they faced the storm till the weather moderated.

The last port in England was Liverpool. Here they purchased goods suitable for settling in a new land. (I have my grandmother’s round mahogany table, my sister had her gold watch.)

A general cargo was loaded for Cape Town (S. Africa). While lying here, they saw the troop-ships come in bound for China. (Sir George Grey, then Governor, on his own responsibility, diverted them to India to help in suppressing the Mutiny.) Alexander had his two younger brothers, Lemuel and Septimus to load and fire salutes with the little brass signal cannon.

JSM made then the acquaintance of Sir George Grey, who strongly recommended New Zealand as a country to settle in. He also presented him with a revolver of the old muzzle-Ioading pattern.

The Union proceeded to the Mauritius to load a cargo of sugar, for Brisbane, Queensland. (My brother Robert has a newspaper cutting describing the arrivals.) From Brisbane to Sydney, NSW where the Union was sold, thus ending a unique series of voyages.

I do not think any other family came under such unique circumstances. The family came on to Auckland in a barque, whose leisurely progressing made them make the unfavourable comparisons with their own swift sailing little brigantine. (On her first voyage for her new owner the Union was wrecked on the Kaipara Bar.

 

LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND

Captain Meiklejohn brought 1,000 acres of land at Big Omaha from a Mr Longmoor. There was a navigable river and plenty of kauri so he was able to continue his trade of ship building as well as making a farm.

One day the cutter landed them at the little beach just along where the Big Omaha Wharf is today. A cow they brought gave much trouble in driving up to the valley where the new home was to be. A young lady afterwards Mrs A. Campbell came with them, having joined the party in Australia. A house was built in the valley about 3/4 mile from the head of the river. This was of the Canadian pattern and was named Unionville. Two shipyards were put in use, the Upper Yard at the head of saltwater, and the Lower Yard where they first landed.

Kauri trees were chopped down with axes, then cross-cut into logs and rolled up to the sawpits. These were dug out and side logs set in place. Cross pieces were laid on these and the logs rolled up on top. Then the pits-sawyers got to work, breaking down into fletches and cutting these into planks, boards, or scantling. Later on James and John set up a small sawmill in a corner of the flat.

William Young was the first man to use the crosscut saw to cut down a tree, thus saving the waste in the ugly sloven. After the invention of the timber jack by John McLeod of Helensville, it was much easier to lift the heavy logs.

Vessels were built at both yards. Rona, Hinemoa, Rapid, Argo, Day Dawn, Twilight, Lagoon, Blue Bell, Excelsior, Catherine, Pioneer, Rona (topsail schooner), Omaha (brigantine). Most were sold to different buyers, some were sailed in the coastal trade by Captain William Meiklejohn – Queen, Twilight and Omaha.

Captain Alexander sailed some of the schooners but never went to sea again after the wreck of the Rapid. This vessel had to be launched in a hurry at night as the Morris from the Waikato camp on Tamahunga had threatened to burn her. Heber Meiklejohn remembers warming himself at the chip fires which gave light to carry out the job.

Her maiden voyage was to Mercury Bay to load sawn timber for Auckland.

Lemuel was very keen to got sea again but his parents would only let him go with Sandy. His mother especially warned Sandy to look after the youth. Coming back from Mercury Bay the Rapid was struck by a cyclonic squall between Kawau and Titiriri and capsized.

The waterlogged ship with her heavy deckload of timber drifted for two days and nights in the Gulf. The helpless sailors clung to the rigging, floating in the cold water till the youth, utterly exhausted and perished with cold, could not longer hold on. Sandy had put him back in the rigging three times, but the fourth time the washed away Sandy was too utterly done to let go and grasp his brother who disappeared. The body was never recovered. Soon after the wrecked vessel grounded on the Great Barrier and the rest were saved.

The Omaha was built at the Upper Yard. When she was laid down there was a dispute. James argued that the bow should be down stream, but she was laid down with the bow upstream as it was thought that her stern could be swung into Ruxton’s Creek and thus turn the vessel round. When completed and launched, it was found James was right, it was impossible to turn the ship, the largest built by the family. They had to work her down the river stern first, this taking three weeks and they had her all rigged and ready for sea by the time she reached the Lower Yard.

Another incident was that James was not allowed to cut the rope at the launch. His brother Sandy who was to cut the other rope was dubious of the man chosen and told Jim to have his broad axe sharp and be ready close by.

On the order being given “One, Two Three, Cut!” Sandy chopped his rope clean and true, the other man missed his blow only cutting part way. James swung his axe and finished the cut. Thus what might have been a nasty accident was prevented.

The Omaha, as will be seen by the picture owned by Lewis Meiklejohn, was a very handsome ship also quite a speedy one. When sailed by Captain William Meiklejohn she made very quick trips, especially in the Chatham Island trade between Lyttelton and Waitangi.

Uncle Will was very weather-wise and all skippers followed his movements to see if he made sailor stayed at anchor. A new mainsail for the Omaha cost 70 pounds.

When William Meiklejohn retired the new skipper was Captain Meiklejohn, the last trip the vessel was loaded at 11.00am, but the crew waited for dinner and set sail after. Through careless handling the vessel missed step and went ashore at 1.00pm, becoming a total wreck. The times given are very important as the agent at Lyttelton had neglected to renew the insurance policy which expired at noon that day. My father and Uncle Will who were half-owners lost their money. To show how strongly the pioneers built their ships, the hull held together for twenty years after, with the lower masts still standing. (I believe those long spars came from North River, Waipu.)

When working on the Twilight with his brother William, Septimus told of splendid sea fishing when becalmed on a trip between Onehunga and New Plymouth. Two snapper lines had to be tied together in order to reach the bottom and three to four fish were hooked at one time, very hard work to haul them and over the ship’s side. On the return trip there was such a heavy storm that the plunging vessel was nearly foundering under the overwhelming weight of water coming aboard. SM had to get an axe and bash out the fancy paneling of the bulwarks to let the water run off the deck. A very risky job as he had to hold on with one hand and swing his axe with the other.

On a voyage from the Kaipara with a load of kauri gum, the Twilight, then in charge of the mate, ran ashore on Twilight Beach, a little south of the Cape Maria. William Meiklejohn, asleep below, dashed up on deck and took measures for the safety of his crew. As there were too many for the ship’s dinghy, he got on a gum-case and floated ashore.

After seeing all his crew were safe he walked the length of the 90 Mile Beach to Ahipara to get help for the shipwrecked men. Clad only in his long flannel shirt it was an arduous journey. (Actually 55 miles.)

 

ONE TURN DESERVES ANOTHER

When S. Meiklejohn and G. Spencer went up to salvage the cargo of gum from the wreck of the Twilight, they had a long job for no vessel could reach them for three months. They employed Maoris to collect and carry the cases to a place suitable for lading when a vessel came.

One old Maori, to whom SM had been very good, giving him food for his sick wife and in other ways, took a chance when the others were absent and told SM to dig in the sandhill near the crossing of a small creek. SM did so and found twelve cases of gum hidden. As the Maoris came to the crossing they would put a case near the sandhill and cause a slide to cover it up. SM and GS quietly removed the cases to the stack, saying nothing to anyone. Thus the old native repaid his obligation to his kindly friend.

 

WAIKATO MAORIS ON TAMAHUNGA

The Maori prisoners captured at Rangiriri were sent to Kawau and kept on an old hulk. They got in communication with the local chief Tauwhitu who arranged for their escape. Nine boats were used to ferry the Waikato to the mainland, eight whaleboats belonging to Tauwhitu, Patuone and Le Herman (of Puhoi), and the hulk Marion’s boat. The crossing took from 7.00pm till 8.00am next morning when 250 men assembled at the pa Maungatawhiri.

Next day the fugitives marched to Whangteau, to the Rock, where the Big Omaha wharf is now. Here there was a great korero and Tauwhitu after the exchange of greetings, told the Waikato that they must not interfere with his pakeha, the white settlers. He took them up on the high twin-topped peak of Tamahunga and bade them build a pa of refuge. Ngaphui decided that if the Governor sends soldiers, they should be attacked. “If the Government commences hostilities against Waikato, we will open war on the Government”

This was done owing to a sense of obligation to Waikato. Pamare treacherously broke the peace established by Hongi Hika after the victory at Matakitaki (near Pirongia).

Pomare went with 500 men to wipe out Waikato but was defeated at Te Rore, only two men escaping. This was in 1826. To obtain revenge Te Whero Whero raised a great taua of Waikato and defeated Ngapuhi in a number of battles, destroying many warriors.

At Tawatawhiti (near Kaipara Flats) Tauwhitu met Te Wherowhero and arranged a peace. As a pledge Toka, a Ngapuhi girl of high rank, was given as a bride to Tokiwaru, younger brother of Potatau. (Te Wherowhero)

Angus White came with the chief who had been to Auckland and told Waikato that the Government wished them to go back to Kawau from whence they would be allowed to return to their homes Rangatiramai (with honours of war).

Wiremu Kumete replied “If the bird has once broken away from the mesh of the snare, it will not return a second time to be caught. I do not intend to be caught a second time.”

The Maoris obtained food from a store a Mahurangi and flour from a mill at Tuhirua. Tawhiao, the Maori King, sent them 100 pounds to pay their way.

Tauwhitu paid for 2 tons of maize and one ton of sugar and Ngapuhi huis gave other food supplies. Some sheep on an open run were taken and the owner claimed compensation.

Governor Grey asked “Were the sheep in your paddocks?” “No” was the reply. “Then they must have been on Crown Land” said the Governor. Then the other Waikato went to Te Hemara at Puhoi, where the Government supplied them with flour, biscuits, rice and sugar and told them that they could return to their homes at Waikato. Tapihana replied “It is all right, we intend to return”.

In January 1865, Waikato went to Ongarahu (Kaipara) where Paora Tuhaere, of Orakei, again brought promises of safe conduct passes. The Maoris decided to break up into parties of 50 and Kumete’s party went to Riverhead thence by boat to Okahu (Orakei) and on for home. Other came overland to Auckland. Thirty West Coast Maoris went by canoe from Mangere to Waiuku then to the Waikato River and on to Kawhia via Te Akau. Kumete had a boat chartered by Governor Grey to take all remainder from Onehunga to Kawhia.

Kumte’s reply “Ki te motu te manie i te mahanga, e kore ia e koki takirua mai.

Whai hoki me au, e kone e haere takirua kia mia nga maunga 0 te mahanga”.

 

WHEN THE MAORIS CAME

Mrs John Meiklejohn, with four small children, was in a three-roomed shack at the Lower Yard when 50 of the Waikato, who had escaped from Kawau, stalked up to her door. Luckily they only asked for a drink of water and went away.

Captain J. S. Meiklejohn determined to take no chance of being taken unarmed. He had guns he brought from Liverpool and the old goose-gun from P.E.I., a fine single-barrel Joe Marton fowling piece, a double-barrel shot-gun, an old cavalry carbine and sabre to go with it, his own revolver and a pair of neat pocket-pistols. He also secured a supply of blasting powder and began a

tunnel under Unionville. The idea was, that if attacked and outnumbered, one of the sons would blow up their house as the family escaped by the tunnel. (It was never finished.)

James Jnr was alleged to have set fire to some whares. The Maoris danced a haka round the house but quietened down and left. A chest of clothes hidden near the stream disappeared too. But Tauwhitu, the local chief caused them to be returned later, all but a skirt an old woman would not part with.

Some shears were stolen from the barn to make spears with and the late Mr William Smith told my brother that when the Maoris came near the barn later on, the Meiklejohn boys set off a train of blasting powder near them and set them hopping and jumping about. (The following notes were written and crossed out) “Three houses of the Canadian Pattern, built around a central chimney, with the staircase along side, and large attics with sloping roofs.”

This may have caused the haka at James house though another explanation is that the haka was a friendly show-off and he mistook it for the war haka.

John went to a meeting at Warkworth, where the settlers appealed for soldiers to be sent, but Governor Grey was too careful to offend the Ngapuhi who sheltered the runaways.

After several invitations and negotiations the Waikato’s broke up in small parties and were allowed to pass Auckland and go home. Grey sent the last in a vessel from Onehunga.

The settlers had some uneasy times but suffered little or no injury, thanks to their friend Tauwhitu.

 

MAORI STORIES

S. Meiklejohn, when in Auckland, was persuaded into buying a quantity of tobacco at, he thought, a very low price (a great bargain). He found, the catch later, when he had to pay the duty before it was released from bond.

He would not break his word, though deceived by the seller. Taking the tobacco to Omaha it was sold to the Whangateau natives. One day a Whangateau Maori was buying some when a Waikato who was with him, stole some and ran off. The local Maoris caught him and made him return it.

On one occasion the local Maoris were to give a big hui and invited the pakehas. Rawiri, a woman of position came to Mrs James Meiklejohn to ask her to make two large fruit cakes for the hui. Mrs Meiklejohn told her that she was quite a good cook and able to do them very well. “No”, said Rawiri, “The pakeha no like the black hand in the mischief”. The cakes were made, the hui was a great success and a very hearty welcome was given to the visitors. “Haere mai te Mikaerehone, Haere mai te pakeha.”

When Rawiri was dying she was put into a little shed away from the village for the last three days. This was in accordance with Maori custom. On the fourth morning those who sent to her found the body being eaten by the pigs.

 

TURI AND THE TROUSERS

Old Turi, the last tattooed cannibal at Whangateau, used to come up the Big Omaha valley to fish for eels and to gather huhu grubs. His only article of attire was an old shirt and he would stalk into the house of a settler carrying a handful of the fat, juicy white morsels. Seating himself by the fireplace he would drop them on the oven top if it were hot. Then when nicely fizzled he would eat these dainty morsels and afterwards beg a bit of tobacco for his old clay pipe. John M had five daughters, they objected to Turi’s visits on account of his inadequate attire and told their father to give him a pair of trousers. John met the old fellow in the front garden and explained the matter, so Turi put on the trousers. After a yarn and a smoke etc Turi rose to go, as soon as he got outside the door he took off the trousers, hung them around his neck, and marched off.

(These notes were transcribed from the original hand written data by Natalie Meiklejohn, in conjunction with her father Kenneth Robert Meiklejohn, the second son of Lionel Conrad Meiklejohn 1908 – 1990 and his wife Mary Gwendoline McDonald 1911-1979. To whose memory this work is dedicated)