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Settlement 1853–78

kahawai] our walk along a yielding beach, with the cliff on one side and the waves on the other, would have been very dull. As it was, we were much fatigued before sunset, and were very glad to fall in with a sheltered spot fit for our lair, on an island in the bed of the river Hakatere. This, though broad and swift in the winter season, was nearly dry, having no source in the snow mountains in the interior.
Jan. 26. In the morning we went on a short distance to Whakanui or Hakanui, meaning the great halting place, and remained there by the advice of our guide till the afternoon. Between this place and the river Orakaia, a distance of about twenty-five miles, there is no fresh water to be obtained, except in the winter months. It thus became necessary to carry water with us; and, since by avoiding the heat of the day we should require a smaller quantity, we rested till the sun began to decline, taking advantage of the shelter of a good hut built there for the convenience of travellers. We then filled our tea-kettle, saucepan, and several glass bottles which we discovered on the premises and recommenced our journey. These bottles . . . had been left on purpose for this service; and had already travelled many times backwards, and forwards, across the space we were about to attempt.”[1]

Shortland and his companions walked only about ten miles that day before camping on the beach beside a blazing fire of driftwood. During the day they ‘had seen no trees in any direction on the plain, the only growth being tufts of grass, stunted fern and “tutu”.’[2] They crossed the Rakaia next day at noon and found ‘the deepest water . . . scarcely higher than the hips, but so swift that, in wading, we could feel the shingles on which we trod move down the stream with us’.[3]

By this time, 1844, New Zealand had been a British colony for four years. Settlements, mostly of English people, were already established at Wellington, New Plymouth and Nelson under the auspices of a colonising society, the New Zealand Company, and at Auckland by the government. As there were few Maoris in the South Island the authorities decided to purchase their land from them for further colonies and to set aside native reserves. In August 1848, therefore, W. B. D. Mantell, the newly appointed commissioner for extinguishing native claims in the South Island, arrived from Wellington. He negotiated with the Maoris around Banks Peninsula and Kaiapoi and then set off south on his way

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  1. ↑ E. Shortland, The Southern Districts of New Zealand, pp.237–8
  2. ↑ Ibid, p.240
  3. ↑ Ibid, p.241
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