DOCSLIB.ORG

How Governor George Grey Failed to Bring Peace, 1861-1863

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
How Governor George Grey Failed to Bring Peace, 1861-1863 Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. HOW GOVERNOR GEORGE GREY FAILED TO BRING PEACE, 1861-1863 Simon Abbott Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication Massey University, Albany 2020 Abstract Sir George Grey in 1861 was appointed Governor of New Zealand, based on his reputation for effectiveness during his first governorship. Before the 1960s, Grey was praised by some historians, but since then his decisions and motives in ordering the invasion of the Waikato have been critically analysed and condemned. Rather than being portrayed as ‘Good Governor Grey’, he is now depicted as highly Machiavellian and even personally to blame for the invasion. This thesis seeks to re-examine the sequence of events leading up to the invasion of the Waikato. It explores the period between the truce negotiated by Wīremu Tāmihana Tarapīpipi Te Waharoa of Ngāti Hauā in Taranaki in March 1861 and Grey’s invasion of the Waikato in July 1863. Through a close reading of the primary sources, the thesis develops a narrative which sheds greater light on this key moment in New Zealand’s history. This thesis argues that too much attention has been given to Grey as the instigator of the Waikato War, and that much more responsibility needs to be seen in other events, such as Thomas Gore Browne’s deteriorating relationship with Waikato following the end of hostilities in Taranaki, the conduct of the Colonial Office and of the politics of the colonial administration. Grey may have failed to make the best of the opportunities available for peace, but these opportunities were limited. How Governor George Grey Failed to Bring Peace, 1861-1863 i Table of Contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. iv Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2: From Browne to Grey .................................................................... 13 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 13 2.2 Brief Summary of the War In Taranaki ....................................................................... 13 2.3 Peace Negotiations with Māori from Taranaki ............................................................ 15 2.4 Browne’s Ultimatum .................................................................................................... 16 2.5 Response from Kīngitanga Māori ................................................................................ 17 2.6 The Parliamentary Session of 1861.............................................................................. 18 2.7 Grey Makes the First Step ............................................................................................ 20 2.8 Newcastle Appoints Grey ............................................................................................ 21 2.9 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3: Grey’s Initial Policies and Crises – 1861-1862. ............................ 25 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 25 3.2 Grey’s Arrival .............................................................................................................. 25 3.3 Newcastle’s Orders ...................................................................................................... 26 3.4 Fox Ministry’s Initial Advice ....................................................................................... 30 3.5 Responsibility in Native Affairs................................................................................... 31 3.6 Was Grey Planning Peace or War? .............................................................................. 32 3.7 The New Institutions .................................................................................................... 33 3.8 Establishment of Military Infrastructure ...................................................................... 49 3.9 Crises over Land Disputes ........................................................................................... 54 3.10 Assembly of 1862 and the Fall of The Fox Ministry ................................................... 55 3.11 Newcastle’s Failure to Support Grey ........................................................................... 58 3.12 The Hui at Pēria ........................................................................................................... 60 3.13 Grey’s Change of Attitude towards Māori ................................................................... 63 3.14 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 4: War on the Horizon ........................................................................ 69 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 69 4.2 The Meeting at Taupiri ................................................................................................ 69 4.3 Grey Reoccupies Tātaraimaka ..................................................................................... 75 4.4 Disturbances in the Waikato ........................................................................................ 77 ii How Governor George Grey Failed to Bring Peace, 1861-1863 4.5 Grey’s Waitara Investigation ........................................................................................82 4.6 Grey had ignored Warnings ..........................................................................................86 4.7 The Reasoning Behind Grey’s Actions ........................................................................87 4.8 The Significance of the Change of Ministry .................................................................88 4.9 The Immediate Aftermath of the Ambush ....................................................................89 4.10 The Militia ....................................................................................................................93 4.11 Rogan Delivers An Ultimatum .....................................................................................94 4.12 Reactions to the Ambush by Waikato Māori ................................................................97 4.13 Grey Manuscript GNZMS 200 .....................................................................................98 4.14 Events of June 1863 ....................................................................................................102 4.15 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................110 Chapter 5: July 1863 – The Final Decision to Invade ................................... 113 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................113 5.2 The Plan Is Put into Action .........................................................................................113 5.3 The ‘Eighteen Letters’ ................................................................................................115 5.4 Analysis of the Enclosures ..........................................................................................118 5.5 Waikato Māori Request an Investigation....................................................................132 5.6 Oath of Allegiance ......................................................................................................133 5.7 Waikato in June and July ............................................................................................135 5.8 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................137 Chapter 6: Conclusion ..................................................................................... 141 6.1 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................141 Chapter 7: Bibliography .................................................................................. 148 7.1 Archives and Manuscripts ..........................................................................................148 7.2 Books, Articles and Reports .......................................................................................151 7.3 Newspapers and Niupepa ...........................................................................................155 7.4 Websites ......................................................................................................................155 How Governor George Grey Failed to Bring Peace, 1861-1863 iii Acknowledgements
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Biological Invasions
    Biological Invasions The Ins and Outs of Acclimatisation: Imports versus Translocations of Skylarks and Starlings in 19th century New Zealand --Manuscript Draft-- Manuscript Number: BINV-D-18-00423R1 Full Title: The Ins and Outs of Acclimatisation: Imports versus Translocations of Skylarks and Starlings in 19th century New Zealand Article Type: Research paper Keywords: acclimatisation, alien, birds, New Zealand, propagule pressure Corresponding Author: Pavel Pipek, Ph.D. Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences Průhonice, CZECH REPUBLIC Corresponding Author Secondary Information: Corresponding Author's Institution: Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences Corresponding Author's Secondary Institution: First Author: Pavel Pipek, Ph.D. First Author Secondary Information: Order of Authors: Pavel Pipek, Ph.D. Tim M. Blackburn Petr Pyšek Order of Authors Secondary Information: Funding Information: The Czech Academy of Sciences Prof. Petr Pyšek (RVO67985939) Hlávka foundation Dr. Pavel Pipek Rector's Mobility Fund of the Charles Dr. Pavel Pipek University Abstract: New Zealand is home to around 40 alien bird species, but about 80 more were introduced in the 19th century and failed to establish. As most of these introductions were deliberate and documented in detail by the Acclimatisation Societies responsible for them, New Zealand bird invasions are often used as a model system to unravel what determines the outcome of introduction events, especially the role of propagule pressure. However, the credibility of these data was challenged recently, as different authors have reported different numbers of liberated birds. This discrepancy has several causes. Using introductions of Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis) and Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) as examples, we show that the most important issue is that not all liberated birds were imported from overseas, and so import records underestimate the total propagule pressure for particular regions.
    [Show full text]
  • New Zealand Wars Sources at the Hocken Collections Part 2 – 1860S and 1870S
    Reference Guide New Zealand Wars Sources at the Hocken Collections Part 2 – 1860s and 1870s Henry Jame Warre. Camp at Poutoko (1863). Watercolour on paper: 254 x 353mm. Accession no.: 8,610. Hocken Collections/Te Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago Library Nau Mai Haere Mai ki Te Uare Taoka o Hākena: Welcome to the Hocken Collections He mihi nui tēnei ki a koutou kā uri o kā hau e whā arā, kā mātāwaka o te motu, o te ao whānui hoki. Nau mai, haere mai ki te taumata. As you arrive We seek to preserve all the taoka we hold for future generations. So that all taoka are properly protected, we ask that you: place your bags (including computer bags and sleeves) in the lockers provided leave all food and drink including water bottles in the lockers (we have a researcher lounge off the foyer which everyone is welcome to use) bring any materials you need for research and some ID in with you sign the Readers’ Register each day enquire at the reference desk first if you wish to take digital photographs Beginning your research This guide gives examples of the types of material relating to the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s and 1870s held at the Hocken. All items must be used within the library. As the collection is large and constantly growing not every item is listed here, but you can search for other material on our Online Public Access Catalogues: for books, theses, journals, magazines, newspapers, maps, and audiovisual material, use Library Search|Ketu.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ordinances of the Canterbury
    12. Sub-Treasurers to act as Treasurers. For the purposes of this Ordinance the term Provincial Treasurer shall be taken to include Provincial Sub-Treasurers. 13. Commencement of Ordinance. This Ordinance shall come into operation on the Twenty-fifth day of April next, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. 14. Title. This Ordinance shall be entituled and may be cited as "The Auctioneers' Ordinance," Session III., No. 3, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. Notes. This Ordinance was passed the Provincial Council and assented to by the Superintendent, JE Fitzgerald, on behalf of the Governor, on 14th February, 1855. It was repealed by the Auctioneers’ Act 1891. Session IV. 1855 (April to July 1855) 1. The Empowering Extension Ordinance 1855 Whereas it is expedient to extend the operation of an Ordinance passed by the Superintendent and Provincial Council of the Province of Canterbury, entituled the "Empowering Ordinance, Session II., No. 1." Be it therefore enacted by the Superintendent of the said Province, with the advice and consent of the Provincial Council thereof, as follows: 1. Empowering Ordinance to extend to Ordinance in the Schedule. From and after the passing of this Ordinance, the operation of the recited Ordinance shall be taken and deemed to extend to the Ordinance recited in the Schedule hereto annexed in the same manner and to the same extent as though the said Ordinance recited in the Schedule hereto annexed had been recited in and formed part of the Schedule to the said recited Ordinance, Session II., No.
    [Show full text]
  • Establishing the College, 1883,93
    Chapter Two Establishing the College, 1883,93 URING the discussions on starting a university in Auckland, and indeed Delsewhere in New Zealand, leading politicians, parsons, and newspaper editors cited precedents in Oxford, Cambridge, London, Dublin, and elsewhere, and quoted the opinions of John Stuart Mill, Mark Pattison, and others on higher education. But what could a university college be like in Auckland? In many respects it took a long time to discover any lasting answers. But the College Council and its Professorial Board were not inhibited in making experiments and advancing, or at least sending out scouting parties, in various educational directions. While the College was small it is possible to see its work whole; to see in one glance most of its efforts to find its niche in the colonial cultural ecology of Auckland. On a minute scale, very many of the activities of the large University of a century later were attempted, often without much success. In 1881, although the University College Bill did not receive its third reading, Parliament had voted £1,500 for the College. In March 1882, without waiting for the Bill to pass, the Minister of Education, Thomas Dick, instructed Francis Dillon Bell, the Agent-General in London, to engage the services of a Professor of Classics and English and a Professor of Mathematics and Mathematical Physics at £700 a year each.1 Once the Act was passed he was also asked to find a Professor of Chemistry and Experimental Physics and another professor for Natural Science. Applicants were not sought in Australasia. The Agent-General recounted some of his difficulties over the appointments in letters to Sir John Hall, the Premier in 1879 to 1882.
    [Show full text]
  • Pastoralist and Maoris, Frederick Weld
    Pastoralist and Maoris FREDERICK WELD AT WHAREKAKA TRAVELLERS motoring into present-day Martinborough and taking time to observe the countryside traversed by the main road may pause to read an Historic Places Trust sign some ten kilometres south of the township. The placard marks the site of Wharekaka, the first sheep station to be established in the Wairarapa valley and the first of three properties belong- ing to one of the most successful pastoral partnerships in early New Zealand history. This article seeks to examine one of the least well docu- mented aspects of early pastoralism in the Wairarapa, the nature of rela- tions between the squatters and the local Maori people, the Ngati Kahungungu. by focussing in some detail on Frederick Weld's experiences and reactions during his first year in the valley. The study is important, first, for the insight it gives into a relatively neglected area of cultural contact in early New Zealand history. Second, the experiences and atti- tudes formulated during the first year in the valley help to explain the native policy pursued by Weld when minister of native affairs and premier, and the origin of the 'self-reliant' defence policy which marked his premiership in 1864-65. Weld was a most unlikely pioneer. Born into a prominent West Country Catholic family, twenty-year-old Frederick had arrived in Port Nicholson on St George's Day 1844 with a modest sum of gold sovereigns, and New Zealand Company land orders for one town and one hundred country acres in the settlement. In outward appearance this genteel and devout 'handsome blue-eyed aristocrat',1 with his long brown curling hair, slim build and history of delicate health, seemed singularly ill-fitted for the rigours of any kind of rough pioneering life.
    [Show full text]
  • Get to Know: New Zealand New Zealand Is an Island Country in the Southwest Pacific Ocean Whose History Has Been Shaped by Two Distinct Groups of People
    World Book Advanced Database* World Book® Online: The trusted, student-friendly online reference tool. Name: ____________________________________________________ Date:_________________ Get to Know: New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the southwest Pacific Ocean whose history has been shaped by two distinct groups of people. How much do you know about this nation’s culture and history? Set off on a webquest to explore New Zealand and find out! First, go to www.worldbookonline.com Then, click on “Advanced.” If prompted, log on with your ID and Password. Find It! Find the answers to the questions below by using the “Search” tool to search key words. Since this activity is about New Zealand, you can start by searching the key words “New Zealand.” Write the answers on the lines provided or below the question. 1. New Zealand consists of two main islands, called the _______________________ and the _______________________, plus a number of smaller islands. 2. Examine the map “New Zealand.” Identify the location of the city as the North Island or South Island. _____________________ a. Auckland _____________________ b. Christchurch _____________________ c. Dunedin _____________________ d. Hamilton _____________________ e. Wellington _____________________ f. Which island has both the country’s capital and largest city? *Users of the Advanced database can find extension activities at the end of this webquest. © 2017 World Book, Inc. Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. All rights reserved. World Book and the globe device are trademarks or registered trademarks of World Book, Inc. This webquest may be reproduced without World Book’s permission provided that it is reproduced exactly as published by World Book and is reproduced for entirely non-commercial educational purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • New Zealand Experience: the Twaty of Waitangi
    New Zealand Experience: The Twaty Of Waitangi Alan Ward The main point The main point I wish to advance in this paper is that no matter how finely worded a treaty might be, it will not be effective unless there is a broad political consensus to make it effective. Professor Brij La1 has shown in his paper that despite the meticulous care and widespread consulta- tion that underlay the making of the 1997 Fijian constitution, it was abro- gated by force by sections of Fijian society who were not fundamentally in sympathy with it. Much the same can be argued in respect of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand. When proposals for a treaty with the Aboriginal people began to be mooted in the 1970s it was commonly argued in Australia (as indeed it still is) that the situation of Maori in New Zealand was markedly better than that of Aborigines in Australia, because Maori had the benefit of a treaty their chiefs signed with the British in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi. In contrast, many New Zealanders, including many Maori, were quite cynical, in the light of their experience, about what a treaty might achieve for Aborigines. As recently as 1983, the New Zealand Maori Council, the senior Maori representative body, established (like ATSIC) under an act of parliament, stated as follows: "In the treatment and handling of Maori claims the Treaty of Waitangi has been sadly denigrated. Unlike many other countries where treaties and the facts of prior occupation have been regarded by the Courts as proper sources of domestic law resulting in a body of court laws on treaty and indigenous rights, the New Zealand courts have consistently denied that the Treaty fo Waitangi forms part of our domestic law or that such sources of law could exist.
    [Show full text]
  • The Social History of Taranaki 1840-2010 Puke Ariki New Zealand
    Date : 07/06/2006 Common Ground: the social history of Taranaki 1840-2010 Bill Mcnaught Puke Ariki New Zealand Meeting: 153 Genealogy and Local History Simultaneous Interpretation: No WORLD LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CONGRESS: 72ND IFLA GENERAL CONFERENCE AND COUNCIL 20-24 August 2006, Seoul, Korea http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla72/index.htm Abstract: Puke Ariki opened in 2003 and is the flagship museum, library and archival institution for Taranaki. Some commentators have suggested that there is no region in New Zealand with a richer heritage than Taranaki, but some episodes were among the most difficult in New Zealand’s history. There is a growing view that New Zealand needs to talk about some of its difficult history before it can heal the wounds that are still apparent in society. ‘Common Ground’ is a ground-breaking 5 year programme that begins in 2006 to look at the social history of Taranaki including some of the painful chapters. This paper explains some of the background and ways of joint working across library, museum and archival professions at Puke Ariki. Puke Ariki (pronounced ‘poo kay ah ree kee’ with equal emphasis on each syllable) means ‘Hill of Chiefs’ in the Māori language. Before Europeans arrived it was a fortified Māori settlement - also a sacred site because the bones of many chiefs are said to have been interred there. When the British settlers founded the small city of New Plymouth in the 19th century they removed the hill and used the soil as the foundation material for industrial building. Today it is the location for the flagship Taranaki museum, library and archival institution.
    [Show full text]
  • Te Ua Haumene Horpapera Tuwhakararo, Te Kooti and Others Who Saw Visions in the Maori Wars of the 1860S
    chapter 14 Te Ua Haumene Horpapera Tuwhakararo, Te Kooti and Others who saw Visions in the Maori Wars of the 1860s What Governor Eyre had feared in Jamaica in the early 1860s actually came to pass in New Zealand. Large numbers of Maori evangelists, teachers and assis- tants chose to fight the British army rather than see more of their land seized by white settlers and the colonial government. Some of them claimed the authority of God and the Bible for their cause. Many held denominationally orthodox Sunday services throughout the conflict. Others claimed inspiration from heavenly messengers who commanded them to preach new versions of Christianity. Atrocities and murders carried out by prophets and their acolytes shocked white New Zealanders and called the whole missionary endeavour into question. However, because they were not perceived as an existential chal- lenge to colonial authority, they did not provoke anything like the extreme reactions against indigenous evangelism seen in Jamaica. Causes of the Wars and Maori Christian Involvement Christianity and Maori evangelists are everywhere to be seen during the New Zealand wars that dragged on without a decisive resolution right into the early 1870s. The conflict originated in 1860 over a land dispute in Taranaki on the North Island. Governor Gore Browne had become concerned that the Maori King movement launched in 1858, which aimed to stem the tide of Maori land alienation by establishing a single authority to deal with the British Queen, would become an insuperable obstacle to legitimate land transfers from will- ing Maori sellers to eager colonial buyers.
    [Show full text]
  • Meet the Brigade
    The Oakura PostSeptember 2020 Meet The Brigade Hello from The Editor TOP Notices This is the first 20 page issue of The Ōākura Post and brought about because of the number of stories, articles and information that has come across the Website TOP desk. I always knew we had a lot going on in our community and this Know of people outside of the village validated it. I will always welcome your ideas and contributions because this is a that would like to be kept updated? Share the website and at the combined community effort that strengthens our connections. bottom of the page they can click I hope you enjoy this issue. Tracey on a button to subscribe. Got a burning question? Morning Talk Coffee Send it in and we will Group on Thursday endeavour to find the answer. 17 September is pleased to have Jen Harries as Got a story idea? our guest. Jen will share Make contact with us by ‘World Car Free Day - phone or email the editor. Go by bus for free’ concept with us. Let’s Go and . Kaitake Community Board Next Issue Withers Coachlines have ell, it certainly looks like the wet viewed every ten years. The proposed District Deadline for content come together to offer this weather is going to be around by Doug Hislop Plan intends to make it easier to know where Monday 21st September. opportunity. for some time yet. We get one you can build, where you can do business and For more details on the gloriousW day and then back it comes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origins and Commencement of National Indigenous Political Representation in New Zealand Through the 1867 Maori Representation Act
    ‘A Proud Thing To Have Recorded’: The Origins and Commencement of National Indigenous Political Representation in New Zealand through the 1867 Maori Representation Act PAUL MOON Abstract In 1867, the New Zealand House of Representatives passed the Maori Representation Act, which entitled Māori males aged twenty-one and over to vote for a Māori member of the House. This article traces the constitutional origins of the Act, and concludes with a survey of the initial responses in some Māori communities to the passage of the legislation. What is evident in this analysis is that the Act was driven by various motives, ranging from pacifying Māori hostility, to the desire by some legislators to secure a parliamentary presence for Māori in order to make the House more representative. Introduction In 1840, the British Crown concluded the Treaty of Waitangi with around 540 Māori chiefs. This heralded the commencement of direct colonial rule through governors, who presided without the aid of any representative assembly. The passage of the 1852 New Zealand Constitution Act, however, gave New Zealand a bicameral parliament, which came into being in 1854. However, over the next decade, Māori continued to be largely excluded from the legislative process, even though some of the statutes passed by the early New Zealand parliaments affected Māori land, often adversely. Just over a decade after New Zealand acquired its own parliament, consideration began to be given by some of the country‟s politicians to the possibility of the indigenous Māori population having representation in the lower house – the House of Representatives. The purpose of this article is to survey the events leading up to establishment of the four Māori seats through the provisions of the 1867 Maori Representation Act, and the aftermath of the Act‟s passage.
    [Show full text]
  • Editorial Introduction
    New Zealand Journal of History, 51, 1 (2017) Editorial Introduction With the publication of this volume, the New Zealand Journal of History turns 50. Started by colleagues in the Department of History at the University of Auckland, its founding editor, Keith Sinclair, included a brief ‘Editorial Note’ in the inaugural issue. The new journal, he wrote, would be ‘particularly interested in articles on New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and Southeast Asia’, but would ‘not ignore New Zealand’s historical origins in Great Britain and Europe, nor its place in the Commonwealth’.1 Raewyn Dalziel’s first article in the journal, a study of Julius Vogel — politician, businessman and the colony’s Agent-General in the United Kingdom — was a perfect fit for the journal, but it was her second NZJH contribution, the 1977 essay ‘The Colonial Helpmeet: Women’s Role and the Vote in Nineteenth-Century New Zealand’, that signalled the arrival of a significant voice in the field of New Zealand’s women’s and gender history. 2 Raewyn Dalziel’s history with the NZJH is wide-ranging and lengthy. As well as publishing her own work in the journal, she guest-edited the April 1989 special issue on women’s history and again in October 1993, when the NZJH marked the centennial of New Zealand women’s franchise. Dalziel is also the longest-serving member of the editorial team. From October 1972 through to the journal’s move to Dunedin in 2013, she has variously been its Business Manager, an associate editor and a member of the Editorial Board.
    [Show full text]