IIISTORY OF THE AEGLICAN CHIJROH IN t1EIBON

T H E :: F 0 H

I N

H l ,; T C: R Y

I:J'ER.OD1JC:i:I01-i _,,. H:l.s.t.;arical .Sw:-rcq, lt1.;)0 .. '75:-'lhe f.ihaler;-.:-I:sw Corq!J::tny 1 D Arrange.'llcnts l-1elso1.1. 3ettlu:::ent - :~-ettle~ .. e.:1t ot ~·:ub&.iW - ~;a:trau I"aBsac:r.a - 'f.;if'l'icultiea oi' 3ettlers - :;ettl$C19l1t in JJI:1r lbOl'(}~ - ., it:.t~)ll - CU(.t6rillJl~ic.~l .l .• SI>e·.~~t -<.JOn::>l~quei:t :'i :::.'icultlor-:~ of G1u.u~ch.

II?~"~\r) r.rr~J~t)'I ~_~!~· Ti .. England ·e~t- 't};:e ::3ettlenont.

0ondH.ions tt'1e :\.rv.~~lico.n tJhurch in time of' the tou.ndQt ion. of: the tif~:tE:ron

GJ.J/\.:"'l'ER 1. ?iotl?er .:·o1•k of th.s Church Prim: to the .. i842settlel-:ertt - G·I .. altt of' y.,~* z.. i'Ol"' ~~oliziOus EnC:.ow~'-'eut.

u!:i..i\.P'l:fi:t 2. :·i:ist()ry ot the At~:;J.ican Church i.n the 'TieiSon ;~ettle:·:er..t to 1870:- i!:arly - Bishop ::ah\ry:J.'s 'Jisit - :nte Churc!:l 3lte -Heed for ~ra--.v Church

i\l.'ChdA3acon..cy &oard. - ll!.''rtall~tion of i:.ishop Hobhousa krrivs.l of Bisil.op 3u·tie:r - f..ll 8ain.ts', t:elson - St. 3\.narm!s~, ~''l'lak2.p1.2akr.1 - .. ~t. .E:>e·ter~·-~)y-tile-3t~md.

OXtt.\J:':i.f'!l;R 3. History o:f' tlle Church in the ',.;ai.!:lasa:-St. Mic!:!ael' a ·:;;aiJ,lsa ;Gst ... .Tori:Ja tion of ::'arish .. st. John.'s) "iak0field St. 'i·>e.ul's, Bright\'Klter - Holy 'Iri.n.ity, ~iclli:"tond- 3t. Barnaba.s~4 .. ~>toke - ~Jt. Alban•s, <'.ppleby.

I

IV

1

20

26

31

50

1.n-IAJ"?Tr!lR 4,. History o-r the Church !n :;;,:>tueka. District:- 58 st. 'J:homas~ ?,;otuGka - ~U"!.~al-'...a - Hgatit::·.'Tti.

c.a.A.i.Y£.tffi 5. T£:x1?aUSion to :;tarlborough ::tnd ;·:est Coast:- 74 z.'a'lrlboroutih - ':·ast Coast.

43763

PAR~ II.

Oi:L.l\..PTER &. Education:- Frovision by F.ndow•r~a.tl.t 83 Fund - Bishop's School • Bishopdale rmeologica.l College .. Wb:r:i.ka~-a Home.

CHl\.I'l:"ER 7. Jra,iri :·'elfare:- Bishop .Selwyn's l-:.laus - 96 ~,}r. Raay' s ""'o:rk - 1:1ishop Eobhouse ..

C.i:!l\:''1'~~-:1 H. Consti tuttonnl Develo:pment:- 1'ra.us£er 105 of Zndoirr,te.nt Fu."ld - ChUl'Ch Consti t;uticn - ;;rohdea.oonry Doard - Forul<1r'\th•n of' t'ic-ceee - .Ap'(,>ci:n.tm.ant of Dishop i!obhouse - J.;cla:or:t a Gi ty - Develo:pm.en.t of Diocesan Governrnen t.

(a) 0.\'l..ronological 'I'ahlc of Churches. (b) Lists of Cler(;j'" ot' Respective

:·':lrishas

112

117

us

119

.;:st.

ch.·:;t~l nt

.'<'"ci ::'\ t1:::. ::- :'d :·:..tt·!! :~o!l::C~l.n~ : eliicu., l<33G

t. ~l~:·v. ·\. ~,.. ...·'!lt<.;r ~ . m'V.. '. . • :_;ux ton, .. :cu. }Oilst,1:th;a ·:·ulan. ~~ev. r. "· ;~a'i1d<;m. 1-:(}v. ~t.• • i:Utt, ··ie?. ~:1~.:t. Co1lrin.~~~ton,

'i';::rv. D;,;··c-~od.. ;(fH. ::, .. ;:'t.JOle. ··;l'!Je}ld:ene-or~ ~ • ... ~. ?',ll-ss

!-f

91

ll7

PRE!i'AGE

This work has been planned to sketch the history or the Anglican

Ohuroh from the days of the whalers. before any organised settlement by

Vlliites. up to the opening ot the goldfields on the West Coast, and the

establishment of towns there. So far, no history of the Diocese has

been publishodt but if Bishop Sadlier had not diad in 1934, he wo~d

have Wldertaken the task. The period described covers the three phases

of settlement iri the Nelson Province - first, the expansion in the

district round Nelson, secondly, in the 'tJairau and Awate1•e Valleys, and

thirdly, on the West Coast.

In the course of this thesis, I aim to show the part played by

the Church in ·bhe fOundation or the Nelson settlement, and· the subsequent

growth of tho Church itself. ~~1en follows the similar treatment of the

churches as they were opened up in other areas of the ·.Province. More

particularly I have attempted to ~mtline the nchievements of tho Church -

its ini'ltl.enoe on education, 1Ja.ori nelfare~ and on social life in general,

as \'Tell as 1 ts oonsti tution.a.l achievements in the formation of the Diocese ..

For this pur1X>se I have divided the thesis into two parts, the

first dealing v1lth the individual churches and their relations with their

own particular environments. 'f.he second part is a survey of the Ohuroh

as a whole in relation to the life of the settlement. I have considered

it necessary to deal, as far as it is possible, with those topics

·separately from the history or the churches, and from the point of view

of the Diocese as a vmole. This question of arrangement I have found to

be a :t•ather difficult problem·. The separ-ation o:r the various aspects

II

such as aducationt& and consti tut1ona.l development }night tend to impair

unity, but it seffined to me the only method to obtain a clear view of the

Church as a whole.

l\,uch of the detailed information in connection with the conflicts

between the Bishops and the Church may seem to be unnaoessa.ry, but I feel

it serves to emphasize the irn.PQrtanco of tho prominent charaotoristica

of the early Uelson settlers - their strong Lovf Church and non-con:for.mist

sympathies and their sturdy independence. ~1e present reference to a

long series or Jnaetings may be justified by the ovidenae they afford of

the interest or Anglicans in thoir church affairs and of the nature of

part of their social life. It also provides an interest!!~ contrast

to the Church at Home, which at the tL1ta had many undemocratic features.

There~ the tendency to become more lillglo-Catholio in doctrine, with a

rigid hierarchy, a firm control over education, social life and morals.

and even considerable influence over local government, provided a marked

contrast to what was to happen in !•felson.

Another ma:l.'lced feature wus the simrJ.ioi ty o:f' functions of the

Church then, as compared with to-day .. Now, there is a number of'.

organisations such as Eothers' 1\'~eetings, Flovrer Gttilds, :\lite Societies.

to name only a few, which did not exist in the old days, because women

were too busy in their homes. There, also, were no charitable

institutions beyond those for the ~Jaoris, but to-day, several orphanage

schools contribute to the oha.ri table EU').d educational activities of' the

Province.

I ma indebted to many people for assistance, in placing material

III

at my disposal, specially Dr. F.A. Bett, who also gave me much helpful

advice and encouragement. I must also acknowledge the help of

Mr. Stephenson, the Diocesan Secretary of Nelson, who placed material in

the Diocesan Library at my disposal, Miss Woodhouse of the Turnbull

Library, Dr. Scholefield of the Assembly Library·, and the Nelson Institute

Library for early copies of the "EJ!:aminer". Mr. W.O. Davies of the

Cawthron Institute has reproduced photographs of the Churches, Letters

Patent, and North and South Durham, which Dr. Batt has allowed me to use.

Finally, I would like to mention the late Bishop Sadlier, whose notes

and published material fo~n a large proportion of the so~rces of this

thesis.

(i)

{U)

{iii}

(iv)

IV

Diaries and Lettora -...a-••-ull•lli • """"'

.i\rehc1;~acon Henry ;·;. lJnrpor, "Letters from Hew Zealand» j Huen Reas Ltd .. ~ 1.ondon1 1914 ..

Bishop Gelwjl·.u, 11Nav.r 3ealaud1t - Lettol'S to Society for Propagation of ~1e Gospel together ~nth F~traota from. his Visitation Journal.. n. Clay, Lonclon 1847~

Sarauel ::Jtephena, J .. atters from Nelson (unpublished) .. 1Jon. 1JJ. J. narni ooa t , Diary ( u.r:t_pub lished) • Lotter of ]/!r .. Ji' .. D. Gl·ream'JOOd to Rev. J. Voaper 1 17/2114. J. ~~ .. :Jaxton. Dia1•y (unpublished). mm~ Consta..."ltine Dillon, I.ettel~a (unpublished). Cor:r<)Spondenoe Relating to Ohtl.l.'Chea at Eltoke, 1Hakefiald,

Dric ... htwater, Hichmond, Appleby~ Whakapuaka and Dishoptlalo C:olloga il1 files of Dioee.san Library, Nelson.

Visit;ation (~ueries up to 18'75.

( unpttbli shed)

t"ev. G .. .tl.. Orosarnan, at St. Th(.)Jnas•s :.otuelm, •rliistory of' Jt. 'l'homasY', January 1933.

Bishop 8urll1er, "All Saints', ·nelsonn. D;l.to cannot be usc:er·l:iained. 11;3Ubll.1:'bs, 1!orth and sou.th•t, 1/10/24 .. 113t. James~~ Kowhai, Diamond Jubilee"~ l/4/'lll>. 11Hichmontl J)iEUYJond Jubilce 11

• 4/10/21. 1'i:'iak:e:.t'1alcl Cllurch", G/5/":JJ.

Ho~es '":IT:rsrio'p .'~dlior, •tJUs·tory of section 154. t.:rotuokarf.

:no·~es on o. ··;·. &"L..~ton~ Arohd€moon raul.

Docum.onts 'r:I;J.sts-~i'Ogistc~r of Nelson. Diocese, compiled by

J.JishOl) Se,cllier. Letters Patent Creating the Diocese of Nelson.

(v)

v

' 1l1\:Jlson Synod - J'ourna.l of P:rocoo(Un;;-;s '1 ~ 1859. C~J. Elliot, 1860-18'75. n. L't.tcas l:.r, Son, ''i~lail" Office.

HJ~e f"'-1:rt on trow .:~ealaud", July 29th, 1844-Urdere<l by Hou:~e of Commons to be .Printed.

;tCor:raspondenca Relative to ?Jaw Zealnnd", April 6th, 1840. r:.resented to Houze of Co;muons by ~~:uaen • s Demand. :V.. Glov;es 8~ Son, LoildOn, 1840.

Correspondence Haapeoting Colonisation of How Zealand". Ordered by :'Iou::m of Comnons to bo :Printed. ;•.;ay 11th, 1841.

11 iJOITespondenoe Respecting Colony o:f' Nnw .l~alnnd n, i\11.,~. l.::!th, 184:8.

''.iev.r :::.ealand Jou.r.ru.Itl'', Feb. 1841, 1242, 1~343, 1846 • . Puhliohed by i·J'ew Z.ealru1d. Ji..ssooiation, London ..

11H(>port of Commission on h'J'.HlUil'Y on 'l'rust ]!,states for .':~el~gious e~ud Chari table ano. T~ducational Purposes". Fr-o sen ted to both Houses oi' General i\Gser:lbly by C:O;':rilanu o.f.' IIis E.xcellanc;y- ·t;he G-overnor.• ;~eneral, ·.·elling;ton 1870.

r• .~err t~MWUJlt of Diocese of. 1:1elson, He':J ;',oalan~ fl' ;[ • .r~;~ s. P;:;.r!rar, London, 1002.

(vi ) .: ... !.:?.2~ll~meou.o '1 ~Le·tter to :Right Rev. Bi.EiihOp of Ur)W ::eJ::>.lr.md''.

l!'ronl Jll.ernbere oi' Church of England. in i;ho.t colony~ Colle~e T'ross, Aucklan.d, 1850.,

''l!elson J::ixarnineru, 0. 1~11iot, Ed:!. tor, 184~J-1870. ttt;elson ;U..rrua!lkl.C 11 , 1005- }(., Lucus t,,, Sou.

2. S:ii;CUNIL\RY SOUHCE'-:3

{1) :astories

l\. tJ. .::'ield. ~ t'l'Jelson Jcrovince 1642-1842:t. A.\.;.. Hetts &. S\)11, Nelson, 1942.

A.D. ;'JcJ:n.tcsh, .·:·<Utor, '':':'arlborough~ a Provincial History!i, 'Hhi teombe To.m.bs Ltd., iTer;t Zealand, 1940.

Ir-'i'ii.n !'aria~ 11 Cllarl~;;ston~ its 2.1ise and t?ecline" ~ -A.n, an.d .r~.:,•. ~eed, Y:ev.r .~a.lan.d, 1941~

Judc;e Lmither Br<Ktd, ttJubilea ~ristory of I'Jolaonn, l&J.2-1892. Bond., Finney tt. co. Colonis·t Of'i'ica, ;·ielson> 1892,

Very ~ev.. Jacobs, D • .D. ) t1Q,~,lonia.l Church Histories -r:ioc!!lses ot' :·:(wr Zealand11 • Society TTomotion c:1ristian 1U1on1Hdge, London, 1889 &

'18i:::hop f'&:lrpcr and the OanterblJTY ;Jettlemelltn •

.Rev. H .. 111• Purcha~>, ]11.,\. 1 Uhitcom.bo & Tonbs I.t~~L.,

:·;~'"' ·~:eals.n<l, 1GO~J. 11Shart, History of Church in Greo.t Brita inn+

.E. Iiutton, Hivi.u:3tons, London, 1904. L'wbol ~"!. :Jtreet ~ 'l'l1esis > Hifistory of ducutiou

in ~:elson, lB4f3-1G7'7.

( ii) b.l.~.E!'i~}U'.e,

(iii)

Elizabeth G~ Gaskell, •"Life of Charlotte Dro!lte11 ..

ox:eord Unh·e:r•si ty I.:.:Ceas, Jane A.u~:rten, '1 l?:dde ancl I':t•ejud:Lcelr. 07..ford

University Preas, l~K.S2.

Other J?u.blications ~---

11Holson Diocese.n Gazette", JBn. 1st 1927, to Dec • lst 1928. and Oot. l;::rt 1933. R~}r. 3tiles & .. co. • Helsou..

'1I'he ','.'1 tness'l I Organ ol' Diocese of :tiel son, ~·eb~ L::~t and Auf~· 1st 194~.!..

L •. H. l'~lmer, :·~ .. ·A., 11 A c~m'tnry of Christian W1 tness1t.

S~. :.·ichaelts ChUl'Oh.~ '!,'aim.ea '''est, 184~)-194·3. -!~. Lucas & :3on, Nelson, 194;) ..

'1100 Years in the Sun''· Nelsen Early ;:;:at·li1ers ~.Je::norial Ar:;socir.tion, c:axto.n !.='l'oss, Chrit!tchm•ch, 1941.

... :.B .. ];h,•eret;on, C()Y;:;:dler, ".Tuh'i.leo of st .. Jrua.es'.IS Church. N,<:;atimo·ttn: 1E84-1934. R. '.'!. ;3tiles, :nelson, 19~At

H. ~'iilsonHmlps, HA :iubiloo T'apor't, 1:3th June~ 1907, R. J.\lOl:ta ,~.~ Son, .Nolso.n, 1907.

VIl

Cherlc~:~ ai:u:.1 :rar:ms r:niot be;::;an publication of "t'.:t'l '7 Examinar" in i.'a:r.·ch, 1842, insuod vToctdy. 'I'h.is continued till lato in ·the i'iftien, ,,.1h011 bi.-'see!-:ly and tl'i-;;;.;:Jr3kly l)Ublication ·bac:an.. 'Eht:1 paper was one of tho first to be published in 1i01?i c:;oaland, r~n<!. WHfl noted. ftn~ its h:l.(;,h st~.J.nt'l.EH'<I of li ter'dCY

and tht~ dicni ty of ito lan.;~u~e. :r.t ~tr::ts c1l~w not~1ble for 1 ts nonconfo::rn:iat A. t.ti tude to~·.:n:rds z·cligion its fr~;)e o:t'i tj,c:l.s!;; o(' tho di~-;.ni t;ariea of tho ii.n.glic::tn Chltr.'Oll •

. • Gtepl'J.e.ns C<1r1.a out i.ll t,h,"J ptn•ty of t'IU.l'Vcyors undc:t~ Captain .iakofield awl la.nd&u in rTelaon :1.11 1841. Ee assisted in the sttr.'vey of the sottle:iien.t and then took u.p farming at lli>'Taka .. His lattera ·t;o his mother 'Ul.d otl1or frie.nds :ln F.J."i.gl:.md vre:re prooerved.. In tho opin:lo.n o:i'.' tho ~·rrl ter of this thesis, ·the 11 tera1•~r at,J..n(Lu:•<l of tllo 1ett~1rs is hl~!ih, and ·the interest of the reador c~1ptured t.~:ll'ow;hout. h.t prest>nt) publication is fo:t.•bidden by the proviDionr;:: of a ">•rill of one o:r stephen's doscenur:u:ts. It ir.1 to be h.opod that some clay the public will haire uocosn to ·~heso c1ocum.ents, which v;ill s1H:~d milch li;::;ht on the i:wrl:l lii'e in tl1e colo.n::l• 'Ihe events doaoribed in hir:; l~)tbers o.ppen.r to colneicle o.l!Cl.:o,'Utely w'i th ·~rue accounts.

·rlfi·. saxton VI<U:J <mo of tho onrly axr:lvals in Helt~on in 18~,2 .. na ;.vas ·the brother oi' the Hov. c.np Saxton a.nd he k:ept a diary :.rhie h was partly vrri tten in Tiebret.:r.

Hou. 'l.'J. J. D:-.:trn:l. (~08. t

M.:r., Barniooat w-:s1.s Motller mo1l1ber or the survey party who landed 'l'ri th Ca1)tain ''.'akef'i~ld iu Hovemba:£" 1&'1:1. With ll;tr• • . r. i3. Oot ta1•oll he U.:'1d.ortoolc the survey oi' the i7a.iraeua. Ho k(;)pt ·a cone is~) dia1•y, a!ld to this I 8J1l indebted for useful descriptions of tho ou.l."lY days oi' tho church in Holaon.. He sottled rlO'.'ll1 n~:>ar IUcl'.J'!lOnd ancl :for sevsral years repl:>es{mted

VIII

~:!..'!....::.:.!.!~~~~~ {cont.)

that pariah on the Synod.. .He tnok a prominent part in provincial politics $Uld later entered the Leg:f.slotive Couno.U ..

lli;..f?J!O,.P. .S .. fl d_l;.!,~£. Dr. Eiedlier v:as .bishop or th.o l)ioceoe of' ITclson from. 1913 to 19~:~3. He toolc a. great int\E.l:t'eat in ·the histOI"'J of the Churci:i in Lelso.u i;l.!ld collectad tn.ucll IY;a:~erial, aom.e ot' 'iihich 'lfas published. in tho !!Diocesan Gazette" and some in1partod in Bermons on the ann! versarias of val'ious cl1urches. ~.\l.tah. l101flever, waa le.t't in the rorttt of notes Tdlich I diao <Jvered in the Diocesaxr Libr:...u'y and :round extrem-ely U13eful ..

I.N'l'RODUCTION A Ll'~:~·,_~\:1, y

c.:.,t'-.:-t...::' ~:,;LJf\ y UNIVERStTY COlLCLi~

CHftiSTCHUi~,CH, N.Z.

In-this outline sketch of the historical background to the

establishment of the Anglican Church in the Nelson settlement, I do not

propose to deal with the expeditions of rra.sma.n, Cook and DtUrville,

because a.l t"1ou.gh of great historHtal importance, they have no bearing

on the history of the Church, except by providing lr.nowledgc of what

might, someday, become a field of missionary enterprise.

The purpose is to sho~r the character of the physical environment

and the social also, insofar as one can say such existed, in which the

foundel.'S of the fu"l.Glican Church in Nelson. vrore placed. in order that the

natuea of the difficulties vrith which they had to contend may ba mora

easily understood. Prior to the arrival of the settlers in February,

1842, the history of the district was one of violence and murder; the

only law prevailing vms that of the strong. It is also a grim story

of violent conflict betvmen the Liaoris and the whalers, the first white

settlers. (1) In 1792 the first sealers arrived on the West Coast of the

South Island and operated up to Farewell Spit. 1~e whalers first

penetrated Cook Strait in 1810 and chose Q,ueen Charlotte Sound as the

base for their activities. 'rhe 'l'e 1\wai ti whaling station in Tory

Channel was the first established, It vm.s founded by John Guard ..

Often relations between the ~;~aoris and WJ1i teo reached. such a violent

state that the crews of whaling ships were massacra<:l. (2)

In 1828 Port IJnder.'lood \'JaS the haunt of whales .. A shore station

at Kakapo Day was set up. By 1830 two shore stations and five whaling ·

(1) A .. H. Field, "Nelson Province'', A.C't. L<atts r'Jc Son, Nelson, 1942. pp 59-67. ( 2) N9.ssaore of J'ohn Dawson and i'iva crm•.r oi' ''Samuel" • du tie unoar-ta in.

A soaling~gang headed by Capt. Kinnaird was killed and eaten by natives on Rocky R>int, West Coast in 1832. Field, op. cit. pp. 59-67 ..

.. 2 -

ships were working ut Port Undervmod. .John Guard purchased Kakapo Bay

from the nati vas f'or a large cask or tobaccolJ t-r1enty blankets and five

pieces of print .. A :row years later the fume of Cloudy Bay had spread

over the world.

'l'he whalers were cosmopolitan, representing all the nations who

engaged in the whaling trade, but .i'..mericans were predominant. The men

of the various whaling stations quarrelled with one another and with the

natives and ~rere subjected to frequent raids, though Te A¥r.aiti became so

strong that finally the natives sou~~t protection within it. Amongst

the vihalers ware escaped convicts and runaw'o::'ly sailors who oornm.i tted crimes

as well as other deplorable excesses. Drink was their sole relief from

the rigours of whale killing .. In the off seasons many whalers went to

live in native villages with their native vtives and led idle existences~

but some hnd their own cultivations and gret~r foodstui'fs to sell to the

lNhaling ships •

. The more sober and responsible men became Headsmen in charge o!

the whale boats. One Headsman would become chief of' the station .. Of'

necessity he had to be of poweri'ul physique and co.ID!1laJlding parson.ali ty to

rule a comrmmi ty o1' wild a.nd lawless men· frequently maddened by liquor ..

Prominent Headsmen were John Guard, Dicky Barrett who •vas noted for his

kindness, Joseph Toms and Jinwy .Jackson. Colonel Wakefield observed

that the "law of the strong in mind and in body 1.'taS in force. An isolated

few were respected for their kindness."

'rhe v1halers had som!" redeeming qualities - they were noted f'or

their hos:pitali ty und their native wives were rernarkable for their

cleanliness and the order which they preserved. in their houses. Men

of bad character ware held in general contempt even among the whalers.

The "l'.rhalers did perpetrate brutal acts on the Maoris ·which were later

&vongotl, but they opened up the way for the future colonists .. Their

hospitality and generosity were no less marked tnan their protanity and

irreligion. ( r;)

'l'he \'Jesleyan mission in Cloudy Bay, which arrived in 1839, played

a ver:y impo1•tant par·l:i in that district. 'l'he f'irst miss1omry ';vas

Rev. H~ill Bumby.

native preacher had beon conductin,g Christian services at ';I'e A.waiti, the

habHs of the v.halers profoundly shocked the missionaries. -'f~he Rev.

So.muol Ironside arrivetl in the <;,ounds in 1840. Ho used to make a circuit

of thirty native villages and whaling stations. Several native churches

were erected even as far afield as l.~o'tueka and D' Urville Island.. The

main church was at I:Tgo.kuta fuy and built of raupo and reeds. It VIaS

given the name oi" «E1)enaze:r11 , and forty couples vrere married at its

opening.

Ey the forties, the whalers were fast disappearing, most of them

to Port Nicl10lson. so one baneful influence on ·the natives 1:ms :rem.oved ..

~1e beneficial influence of Christianity was most striking - they became

honest and peaceful. 'I'l.le wl:lalers, however, as long as they remained,

showed a distinct antipathy to the lniasionariea. (4)

( 3) A. D. ll.:crntosh, "Marlborough, a Provincial Histol'yn. ;::hi teombe ,'k, Torubs Ltd., N.Z., 1940. PP• 19-48.

(4) kcintosh, op ... cit. pp. 46-62.

-4-

NEW Z.EALA1'ID COMPANY'S A..'-1RAlifGEMEN'1B

By 1839, the New Zealand Company t inspired by EdJ1ard Gibbon

Wakefield, had dete:rmined to found a colony in New Zealand. '.f.'b.e prelimi-

nary e:x:pedi tion of' Colonel 'tlakefield made i w first landfall in New Zealand

on the coast south of Cape Farewell on August 16th, 1839. The first

natives seen by the ,.Tory" were those from D'Urville Island, who were

present in Q,uoen Charlotte Sound when the ship entered there. en October

25th, deeds ware signed with the principal chiefs, '!le Rauparaha and

Te Rs..ugihia ta o:1.t Kapi ti Island.

'l'heso deeds registered the purchase by the Company of the entire

central portion of rkr.v Zealand, as bounded by degrees of latitutte.. In

the South Island. the parallel ran roughly through Ross on the Uest Coast

and the Hurunui Ri vei' on the :!<~ast .. 'ro these territories Wakefield gave

the names of l'Jorth and Soutll Durham. (5)

The only other white settlers in the Nelson district besides the

whalers were three boat-builders, who were operating at the mouth or the

Aorere (near Collingwood).

the surveyor. in 1842. (6).

These men were discovered by Hr. 'fuokott,

Before 18112, there v1ere several expeditions .to Blind Bay. Captain

F .. G • .Moore explored this region in his brig "Jewesa" • which sailed. down the

West Coast of the .Bay aa far as l'totuek:a and Hiwal>..a in April and Me.y of 1940. ( 7)

The New Plymouth Company also sent an e:ttpedition to .Blind Bay bofore choosing

Taranaki as the site for their sattle.m.ent in January, 1:841 .. There was

{5) A.N. Field, op. cit. P.P• 70-73. (6) "Nelson Exam.iner", c. Elliot, Editor, April 16th, 1842. ( 7} Captain J.\Ioore' s Diary.

- 6-

reputed to havo been d1sappo1ntmout among t4e Taranaki settlers on the

failure to choose :Nelson.. ( 8)

On May 21st, 1840, Governor Hobson proclaimed sovereignty over the

South Island of Ncvt Zealand by right of discovery with a "perfected know· ledge

of the ·uncivilised state of the natives." (9}

After much opposition from the Colonial Office, the New Zealand Company

made tho following arrangement 'ldth Lord John Russell. 1rl1o O:t'f'ica undertook

to secure the Company by a grant from the Orovm of one aero fOr every fi va

shillin.gs the Company had expended on the purchase of land in Hew Zealand,

chartering of ships for convoyruJce of emigrants, the maintenance of the last •

surveys, the erection of buildin~s required for the public service of the

settlement, etc. 'l"hese le.nda were to be taken in the part of New Zealand

where their alleeed purchases were aitua.ted, and a charter was granted to

·the Company. ( 10)

~r. B • .E. Duppa addressed a latter to the New Zealand Company in

London proposing the foundation of a second colony to be named Nelson and to

be twice the size of the first nettlement at Port Nicholson. There ware to

be one thousand allotments eaoh consisting. of one toi'm acre 1 a fifty acre

accommodation section near the tovm and a rural section of one hundred and

fifty acres. J:.htive roserves eq.ualli~ one tenth of the total were set aside·

and wel"e to be the real payment to the natives tor the land .. The purchase

money was to be divided so that half vros to be spent on the emigration of

labour, one sixth on the expenaea of selecting the site, and another sixth

(a}nN.z. Journal", July 3rd 1941 and P.E ~!o,. 556, 1944, p. 62. (9) "Correspondence Respectin~ Colonisation of New Zca.landtt, order by Houae

of Commons to be printed, P. P.. !311. pp. 16 und 19. (10} ''Corresr..ondenco Respecting Golonisation oi' JJem Zealand", P. P. ~?11, pp .. 85

et seq.

on .m.a.king the S(';)ttlemant "co.llllnodious and attractive", the remainder being

retained by tho Company for profit. ;I'ha money for making the colony

attractive was to be spent thus:-

~15,000 on religious ando~nents for all denominations; £15,000 to

establish a college and £20,000 to encourage steam navigation. (11)

Tho sale of' allotments fell short of expectations and ·!;he enthusiasm

oi' the colonistH cooled off with the confliot bet'taeen the Company and the

Colonial Gff'ice. Of 315 purchasers only eighty carne out to claitn their

allotments .. 'rhe a bscntee holde:t:s were the cause of much tutul'e trouble

because the numbeTs of labourers were adjusted in accordance with the

theoretical number of capitalists. Conaeqently there was o.n over nbundanoa

of labourers with no capital available to employ them... ( 12)

A preliminary expedition under Captain .~-\rthur Wakefield, an ex-naval

oi':Cicer and brother of Colonel V!akefield• with Mr .. F.W. Tuckett second in

oonunand. sailed. on April 27th, 1841 on the "fuitby" , ttWill Viatch1' and "Arrcrrn" ..

Before sailing, the OorrtJ1any had received permission from Lord John Russell

to be released from the restrictio.llS as to the site of the netv settlement

111 the former agreement. 'l'he Oom.pany nov.r desired. to plant the colony at

Port Cooper {Lyttelton), (13)

Captain Hobson refused permission to use this and desired that

Captain Wakefield should plant his colony hear Auokl~nd. 'rhis Wakefield

refused to do ~~d \vaS forced to seek a site in the Company•s territory

round Blind Bay. The l'euson :for Hobson's refusal was that the distarice of

(11) N.Z. Company Prospectus of Second Colony, July 1&~1. (12) Field, op. cit., pp. 90-122~ {13} 'tCorres:pOndenoe Respecting volonisation of J:.Tevr Zealandn, P.P. 311,

pp. 131 and 138.

Port Coo~er from Auckland might raise doubts as to the wisdom of his

choice of the l.':J.tter for his oapi tal. He also objected to the site of

Blind Bay on accoUnt of its deficiencies as a harbour. (14)

'l:fll!1 NEI.SOJ:r SE"l'TL~il'.'i"ENT

On October 2nd 1841, Jiihe p.relimiiJ.el'Y expecli tion left

lfellington, and after visiting '£e Ha.upa.raha at I<a.p:t. ti, the ships first

pror:eeded to ll.stolabe Hoacts tmd ru>chored there. Kaiteri-teri, the

mouths of the Waimea and rioutere Hivors and Blind Channel ware investigated

in tho quost for a 3uitabl.e harbour. 'l1:le Boulder Bank concealed t'rom the

party an.r si0:n ot n l1ody ot' Hater within, whilst any entrance thereto vms

i!o.!:.>:Jfield nearly decided to ro.alce Kaiteriteri the .::ite of the

ocd.or.,~r and explored the iUviUka valley, but he heard a rumour ot a s.ma.ll

h .. <t:t•bou.r on the opponite side of the bay .. This, his native guides had

conce:alGd :t:'ro;J,him. A party d~Mpatchad ·to discover it.- reported favour-

ably on deep ~rater at the entrance and good land nearby .. In his diary J

Captain '!!8.1\:t:~field described Nelson ns con.sisting pt•incil">a1ly of' undulating

dovma covoroa with ±'ern and grass in s:pots • • • • .. • In a valley at the

hoad. ol' the deep vro.ter there is a ~11ood of several hundred acl'es of

The party climbed the Port Hills and obae:cved the

Wa1moa Plains extending for t1venty miles., Beyon(l these plains was a

low range of hills which e;ave ground for the belief that there vms a. tract

ot fertile countey in the interior. {15) Captain iiaket'ield. soon decided

to pl:ant the new settlement there as it soemed the best locality he had

tou.nd.

( } (15)

Thus after a has.ty exploration, Nelson was founded on a site

Op. cit. PP. 569, pp. 156-161. JJ'iald., op. cit. pp. 90-122 and Captain ~lakefield's Diary.

- 8-

vrhich did not provide the amount of land necessary for the :full develop-

ment of the plan of the Second Colony. 'l'ho failure of' the Colonial

Off1<1e to carry out the arrangamonts made r.•Ji th the Company by Lord John

Huasell~ and Ooptain !Jobson's auimus !lguinHt that boc.ly ·li'tare le.rgely

responsible for the diffictllties that besGt the Nelson se·ttlement. It

v.ms in t:·,a uttetnp·t to surmount those that the Nelson se·ttlors became

involved in the ·.:airuu massacre.

'11w fir~t colonists arrived by tha''.H'ifeshire" on lfebrua.ry 1st,

1842. 'I'he disastors of the wreck of the 11Fif'esh:lren and t:1e 65 deaths on

til.e "Lloyc1s" or;~~ing to insubordination and itlll)l'o~riety on the ship from

the Cu pl;n1n dowm-rard.s, ovorolladoll·.red the new settlement. ( 16)

yonr 1B4,2, G7. vcs:::Jols arrived ut Nelson vJhich aoo.n bHoe;v;;e a populous

set tleman t. Chu:rcll services soon began, the Anglicru1 bcine; ·taken by

'rl1e weekly publio::.tt1on of the 11Exam.1ner" began

ou inrch 12th lmder i'Jr. Charles Elliot, (1'7) Bishop :~elw;1n arr;l ved in

August an.(l established the A,"l{~icun Church on a f'orm.ul basis.

On ;::ieptember 12th, 1842, the t'irst public school was opened in

Helson. It 'Hno an elemon tary school open to the children of all ;Hi thout

re,;ard to the roligious opinions of the pa.l~ents, in vi.hiah no sectarian

viovm ware taught and the Dible read ,dthout note or comment. (18)

By the end of 184·2, the settlement of the 1'-'aim.ens had begun and

p11rts o1' the S.~otueka, J',:outere and 'l'akalta distric·ts had been explored.

(lG) «Nelson IL.'lcaminer'', 12th r::arch, 1842. (1?) Hi\ielson Almanac'', 18!35, pp. 32-33. R .. Luc~::~s f'l~ Son. {lB) Lowther Broad, "Jubilee Histt)l.'Y of Holso.nt'• Bond, Finney&~ Co ..

, "Colonist ufrico11 , .l'ielson, lB92.

- 9 -

'l'ho ''aimea Hi vor w·.aB navigable in t;1e old clays f'or several miihes

up a.s well as 1 ts tributaries, the 1'iai-i ti and the '.iairoa. h serious

drnwback, ho·;mve:r, Vi'Cl.S the da..llgerous nature of thor~e our:rents in i!•rhich

1::a.ny ot the settlers met their d.e.uths. ~Jr. J .3. Cotterell first surveyed

One of the earliest landmarks vKUJ Cot torell' s landing about

ton miles up 'Glle estuary.

'l11e texture of the _plo.in >~r<-\S a mixture oi' flax and raupo ffiiiillllps,

fern cou.ntry and. heavy bush. For surveying the flat countrJ V>"diJ divided

into fou.r districts, the three rivcr::3 forming natural bour.lclaries. 'l'hose

i'our districts v;·ol'e, '3ubtiTban 3outh 1;Jhich extended from lfelson to Dtoke,

;:Jai.0oo. }L~:J.:.:rh cqvoring ruchnond, nope, and :\ppleby on th0 onstcn'n banks of'

the >1.airnoa nnd tho '"airon; D :iJnoa :3outh on the south bank of tlw ; 'a irou

from Brir:~ltvJator up to ;i'oxhill aud ··:nkefield on tho 1~ringe of ·the wildarness;

and ;,Jrtimot;:t iest ;.vlJJ.ch extended from the sea to Bri:ll tuater on ii.he vHstorn

.Appleby in those days rr<J.s nothine but a sv!Gl'lp,

south of' which was a very heavily wooded area.

v:aitnou Jost VJ3S the first part of tho pluins to be settled and was

knovm as the 11 \Tillage u .. rt cont:,.dned the bost la..11.d in tho country anll

was cle~1r of bush. For a time 1 t ;·as the most importnnt con~nuni ty apart

I from the settle.ment at Nelson. Transpo:r11 to ano. from Nelson vms effected

by bmlt or by bullock-wagon, or more co1nmonly on i'oot. •rho main crops

crovm. there in the early days ware cereals and potatoes. Shnep and

cattle i'nrming became common a year or t:no later. By tho ond oi' the

first year o1' the settlement nearly a hundred people were set-bled in the

- 10 -

vi.cinity oi' ~·taimea ~Jest. A census taken by a }Jolice constable

revealed a crostt-soction of the population. '11la settlers included

labourers, (who lutor br3came farmers) smiths, a con..stablo, cobblors;

farmers, a publican, a. wai to1·, surveyors, a shepherd, fa.ntale house-servants,

a elGrg;,rman, a mill-wright, carpenters, a garda.r,er uud a bullock carter.

Labourers formed ·the bulk of the population.

;\Iuongst the early pioneers of the ~'rajJneas were many men who later

beca.-·ne prominent in t~ew z;eahlnd I.-10litics. ?:oat of these ho.d como from

hi.)l posi tion.s in J~'tglund.. 'fne most prominen·~ were DaVid ~.Tonro , son

of' en l\din'our[;;h professor of anato~:1y and SUl'gory, later speaker of the

Het'! ·.:::ealand parliament; 1~ibtarll · .·1lliun1 stn:t'fortl, future Superintendent

of [,folsoa aud ?I'ime ~:inis·tor of newT Zealanc1; Alfred t::ome·tt, a future

pro:nier and a fnrnous poGt; and the Eon. ConetHnti.ne Dillon, son of ·the

thirteenth Viscount Dillon. The L:st rw.med hcul been aide-de-aa.t;:;p to

Lora. Dtu;hom in Ci:.'\lmda ancl associated 'Ni th l;;dward Gibbon ''Jalcefield •

Dillon was a most successful set'liler, having i'ifty acres plont;;hed and in

crop o..nd nine milch cows by 1844,. He was also oxpeatiwt, a flock. or sheep

fro±n rl.,ustralia, He hl'ld more capital tho.n ffiOl3t of tho settlers and employed

a l'otinue of servnnts, but there r;rere no signs of' snobbery on his part.

no v1as a good :friend of Captain Arthur 'Xakofield. Dillon was a magistrate

and or;~auised the defence oi' the Nelson settla'fl.ent after the 1'fairau

In 1848 he became Sir George G·rey' s secretary and three

yeurs later he was appointed to the Leg-islative coun.cil .. Unfortunately

his career was cut short when he met his death in the ''airau. ( 19)

(19} L.H. Pu]J;;or, l/.,;\., 11 !\ Contury of Christiun ~:ri1m.ess 11 , st. ~'ichaelts Anglican Churoh, "aiflea :"est, 184~-19<13. R. Lucas e~ son, Nelson, 1943.

- 11 -

totueka, which is situated aoror,;s tha ~.~outere Hills about thirty

miles from Nelson, v.ras settled by the end of 1843. Its pqsition is on

a fertile plain abou·t a mile wide, with mountains risin,~ steeply behind.

notueka was the only pt;~.rt of tl1e. Hel1:1on district where there vu.u; any large

'I'hese ~;rnoria were desoendantD of 'Te RaupHra.ha 's con-

quol'ing hordes who had practically wiped out any other trace of He,ori life

round 1Nakatu and in the ·,:a:l.meas.. 'I'he valley:3 risi.n.{) from N:otueka, the

Riwaka, und 1,\otuek:l:\ ware explored onrly, anc1 farminG establishec1. At

first the Rblai<.:a. plain was a dismal frwamp but the heroic settlers soon

saade ·it fertile.

Ji:ir. Sru:mel ~3-tophen, the ourveyor, was the first promi.~?-ent. se !;tlor

in Ric·,nlca and Dr.. Greomvood and Capta.in Fearon. iu ·: otuek:a.

By the end of 1842 it became obvious that thoro was not enough

land in Nelson to supply the needs of the colonists. J."any capitalists

v1ho had speculatod in land, did not como out to the coloay and there was

not enough ;;;ork for ·the labourers. ( 20) There v.,;ora only GO • 000 a ores

of land in Nolson inn tea d. of thc'l 220,000 pro.m~ted by the Cor:rpany' s prospectus.

Since tho colonists had p.:=tid i'or their land, it was tho duty of the Company

to finc1 sufficient to make good their bargain. 1rat11."t'ally the eyes of

Cap·bain Wukoflold and tha SUl'Veyor turned to the grassy. ~'iairau plains which

were claimed by Te Rauparuha t s triba. Tho Com]lany asse:r:ted it had bought

(20) .D'ield, op .. cit. p. 121.

the ·.-.. airau in 1839 when Colonel ' . .:<i.ke:i:.'ield macte the trunsa.ction.s wi t.h

'l'e Haupara11a bu,y1ng up parts of ·the 3out}L nnd Uor-th lshi.nd. by degrees

of lati-t-ude. Te Hnuparaha~ althoug.'1 he .hnd sold the :iairau about three

timoo already, saw in tb.e terms of .;ai tanei an advanta2;e for r~ain, and

::Jwore tlw t thm 'atrau hud nev~:r been sold. 'lne matter was submitted

Binco the Gont:uny nao made the ar:ea..ng'emont

with Lord John Husaell that 011e aort:1 should he e.,:ranted for each five

Dhoulc1 never have to provo i'ts pu:r.·ciH:~sos. 'l'he Land-Com.mis!'lioner.

'.:r. Spa in, v1a.s q,ui tc unreliable ond had no precise 1n:3tructionn to follovJ.

ne wns not even in tho habit of lmepin~:; hit~ appointments •

. A party of surveyors \ma f!lolestcd in the '·,<uirnu by 'Ce Haupe.raha's

men who L urn.e(l thoi:l:' huts. The surveyors summoned Ca.ptain .'Vak:efiold.

:hen the two £KI.rt1ea

met a shot; vms i'ired i'rom somewhere t·tnd t•;;enty-threo of the rlelson

oe·ttlora, including Cupt:aiu ialtefiold, met their clct~ths. ( i::l)

This loor~ wus a heavy blov.r to the 111elson colonists. 'l'here was

.n general alartn nud the Church Uill was fortlf'ied. Any further

immigl"!i:1tion wns discouraeed for som.e time. :rhs i:"aoris resid.inz there

took f:t'ight and dep.nrted. for tho Nor·tih in great numbers. 'I'his loft

(n) This accou .. r.1.t :l.s base:H.l on the nrtrrativo in \.D. ·.·crn·bostl•B tr:<~l.~t·lhorotJ...::h'•' pp. o?-'7<).

- 13 -

In Nelson the settlers were suffering much hardship. The amount

of available capital was not sufficient to baL'U.tCe tho labour element.

Tho Company i tsolf had to :provide rnork for tho la~:<•.Irars for a <~ertain

pericd. In order to got u raaonable re·turn for the wages which had to be

paid them. ;,·r. 'l'uckett adopted a scheme of constant 1nspection which they

objec·tod to.

scheme of pieae-FJOrk on the roads, enabling the u1on to calti vate ·their

own land, but not m.any took advantage of this.

failed and could no longer :pc.:y '!!ages nor provide any more supplies.

This hit the labouring class very hard and they 1Nare :t'OI'Ced to live on

potatoes. \.t'tar ti <~ first crop of wheat, rood bocamo m.or0 plentit'ul.

A. bt•ewory helped t're settlers Ott't; of n dexn·easion. By 1845 there· '.lrere

1,:500 cattle ana lo.ooo sheep. (82)

lS<J 1846 more grazing land wrw becoming a. vi t,al nocessi ty for

the Nelson colonists. Governor Grey rros asked to sanction tho purchase

of the rairau for pustoral. purposes. In 'h'lrch 184'7, ho visited i•1elson

!il'ld decided to purchase the whole of tru-:tt nret\ as f'er south as Kaiapoi,

for .£:3,000. 'Iho Company nn~.\. settlers had to pay for this purchase.

Even before this. the squatters had pegged out their claims there on

un.clailnad and unsold land.. ( 23) Before the survey W8 f:l com.pleted, the

c;:airau had been settled by· squatters and occupation hecamo the sole title

l'Jy !'thich 'blley could protect their holcl.ins;.

(22) Low·ther Broad, op. cit., p. 80. (23) Mcintosh, op. cit., pp. 84-85,

- 14-

1Jasidas tho squatters there tTore the l'Un-holders who had purchased

their allotments from the Company t tu1d claimed that they held a prior moral

right to pasturage licenses 1 the fir::st of which ware iasued in 1849.

Mr .. Nathuniol George :,lorae 1 and l!'rederick Aloysius · 'eld, t1 later premier,

were among the first run-holdors .. By lB50 the ~:airau and Jwratere vnlleys

wo1•e comple.rliely occupied. ( 24} 'l'ho sat tlerr:ent of the airau vms retarded.

by poor acoessibil:!. ty and tho bo.d reputation it bore wJ an aftermath of tho

J.~en \':ere lawless, and robbcn:-ies nncl violent c~u·ousnls frequent.

Dy 1853, 4M peor)le lived there - they 'HEJl'(:l shepherds, ":tu,:goners, labourers

aud a tow run-hold<:rs .. J\ settlernE)nt f'irat apr.:tng up on the Boulder Bank,

but it, tV<'tS the scone of wild drunken orgie:::J where disputes 'J!ore settled by

combat. ·rho lonely life tU'J.rl primi tillo condi tiona on the stations, and tho

lack of vmmen we·co amon:::; 1ihe Cbusca of this state of affair!J.

l'he rounder of l:llonhd.m, or B1;1rc:r.ver r1s it v1as then colled on account

of i'ts porpctunl floods> ~;ias James J1nolrd.r• who arrivecl at tho Eoulder

:u; tho end of the year ho moved his r:~tore to the

Bmwor stotion because he disliked tlle innnorali t:~ of the for.riler settlement.

Systematic f<H'Eting and the deepening Qf the Op!:AVr.:.1. river b;r an EJ::J,rthquako.

ca. uned Be.a ver to thrive. ( 25)

In June 1847, the Nelson settle:x·s decided to lay out a new town

ot one thousand qu..ar'liGr-acre sections. They ohoso <nitohi or Picton

on r~ueen Grtarlotte Smmd. Tho first property owners were speculators

and absentees.

(24} ( 2U)

!cintosh, cinto8h,

ll!lt!l 1m13 only om~ white man liveo. there, then a few

V~J. cit., PP• 131-145. op. cit., pp. 152-1?5.

- 15 -

oa:wyers sot tled .. In 1851:1 a bridle ·'-rack was opened to the ':fairau. ( 26)

Ti-1:2 GOLD H\JSH

In the fo1•ties gold wan discovered at Golden B3y ~ In 1842•

James Spitte.l found it L1 the Aorere river in Collin.;;.vood.. :V,\ter it vms

found there in Li;~;htbaJld' s Gully .. That stm:·tod the rush to that reg:l.on,

which v;as tlte beginninc:; of large scale r:lirtln,:s; but it -;,·ias only a brio:f'

'l11e discovGry o1' t~olcl at ~~ak~.:uaal'inr;\, the pr•esent site of Canvaatown,

'l'he , .O<? t Ooo.st, ho?mvc~r, hnd by far the largest f ieldo. 'l'he mouth of' tho

Buller l1<1d been discovered early in the cent;ury by Joseph 'l'oms, a whaler,

and 'I'homas j_;runner m1d Chnrles Heaphy had passed th.rou{91 these parts on

their treks .. · In 1863 ,·;estport ;u.;ts surveyed 13.ud the township gr!.m on tho

nor·th spi't of the Huller. Heuben •·:.-11 te a.ncl John ;t.c.:trtin vl'ore the first

white settlers in '!ientport. ''iai to, after seeing soma gold samples obtainec1

from the Buller, sa.ilod there in slis ketch fro.m Collingwood, together ·.·ii th

a . ear go o.f' ten O~t ts .. \'fai te hacl ·~he fil•st store 'llld rttn one oi' the 1'irst

hotels. In 1859, the first gold was found up at Berlin's. on the .'3ullar

rivor. Coal proved to be a more bsting form of' #ealth.

discovered by Rochi'ort i.n 1859 and .rulius Von :J.a.Ewt in 1861. The growth

of 'fest port was rapid although ha.mpered b; firos, floods and ·tidal waves. ( 28)

' T'ne moot spectacular boom town on the :est Couat was <fnarlGston •.

(2G} 2::ciatosh, op. cit., pp. 176-19:3. ( 211) nc1old in llelson", £-'elson Centennial .Svoklet, Cnxton Pross,

Christchurch, October, l~H,l. (2U) Irwin d.'l.ris, '1Chr:.rleston - Its rdso and D•:::clinett~ .~~. zLd :1 •• Hi'Jed,

,'ellin,:~ton n.nd. Dunedin, 1941. Charter 8.

- 16 -

'I'he site was discovered in Au.gu:!.lt 1866 by an c)verflov;r of gold seelcors

frora Hoki tika .. This 1J.JS.S entirely unknovm country* the 'only white mon

who had explored it, Brunner illld Heaph.y·, had pronounced 1 t unfit for

settlement. Oh·:\rleston arose when a crfi7ek discovored vrhoso bed

shov1ed yellow, not with mica but >rlth gold. News of tlle discovery spread

like wild-fire, and there were soon ·thousa.nqs o:(' adventurers come to seek

their fortunes. It vraa first knowu as tho "!:arlcoesett, a corruption. of

"Pabild ''.

In two nwn·~htl l, 200 peo"ole were residing there with thousands

more flovring in every v1aok. Gold was everyv-rllere and easy to ob't-'7.in.

In spite of laclc of roads and poor moans of access by sea, ·the rate of

gro·:rth was phenoJ:~enal. ( 29 ) I3y 1869 the nutrlb<:Jr oi' people living there

numbered 1:?., 000. '!here vrere at least eighty public houses, und garr:bling

ancl b.ard drinldng •Hero prevalent, '.rhe licensin::~ laws li\1'131'0 evaded for

the mo::rt parte '.Che hotels hired d.anci.ng girls antl rivttlled one o.z1other

b1 putting on elaborate shows to ttttraot (1UJ3tomers. (!'iO)

In the late sixties, C.'harloston overshadowt.1d :eotport, having

twice the population, but after 18'70 it rapidly declined, while "'est(:)ort

io"XOVI on the vreulth obtained from timber and coal .. In a few years almost

nothing vid.S left of Cimrleston.

Addison t s J!"'la t, discovered by a negro named Addison eoon after

Ch:1rleston, was another boom town, fl.nd so wus Bri@1ton.. At its peak

tho population of the t'orm.er whounted to bot:,cn:Km three and fiVt"} thousand,

vii tJ.1 forty hotels. Its decline v.-as :rapid o.fter 1872.

(29) Irwin .li'aris, op. cit., C11aptet' I. (30} Cp. cit., pp. 122-3.

'I'he latter 1;;as

- 17 -

the nearest town to the south of Charleston., I.t <Uwte into exiotence in

1866 on the discovery of c;old by '.''illiall'. Fox.. Its gro'J!th v-ras amazin.;; -

there were seven vessels lying in the river ar;d a lf.lt.re;e street v;ri th houses

on both sides appeal'ed 1n less the.n a fortnight. HCFHever, 1 tiJ gola supply

consisted of only one terrace an0. vms rapidly e::u'1nusted..

population wau o,OOO, but within a :renr it had declined. to a lHtle over

1,000 and by 1874 to only 8?. (:·n)

In 1870 Heofton came to light on tll.e discovery of tho gold rceofa

from v:hich its oome was dc:ri VCJc.l. I'hey were r;iven the :COinB.ntic num.ea of

'.fhe sarne fen.tures th8:~ marked

othar :·.:est Co.'lst ta.~ms, tho rEimshackle huts and tordis, the dreadfully

primitive conditions, the fnntmrbic number of public houses, wore preocnt

at Reefton.

'lno gold rush on the 'oot Coast completed. the last phase of

set;·tlement in Nelson in any habitable reGions. The first pha:;1c was the

oponiilg up of the '~ui.mcus and '.:otueku; tile second. the occupation of the

·,'airau. (\41hil.'ll,eecoO.ed from nelson in 1850); and fin.all;r, the infhut. of

gold-dir:;gel"S to the ·;:eat Coast in the late ·ah:tios, complotecl the

settlement of all the country fit to livo in. 'l'he rest is too rut::y];od

f'or anyone except possibly ShQop, and even then thore are parts where the

1u1·ture of tho country is so forbiddin:::; thtat no-one rt:::ts aver sat foot in tharn.

'l'he nelson d.istrict - ~~aimeas, ; otLteka. and Riwaka, is hemmed i.n

(31) Irwin :!'uJ:•is, op. cit •• iJhaptc:n•a 9 ~~nd 10.

- 18 -

by rugged mountain ranges, and access vms .made mora difficult because of

the dangerous ourreuts in th~ many rivers which alao formed barriers.

'I'he only route to the :Jeat Coast is by tl\e Buller Oorga l,;.rhich took Brunner

weeks to tre.verse when he 1'irst paa.otrn!i•!ld it. A track vras built after

a fe11.1 years, which r1ust have ooen a sea of mud most of tho Y!X:J.r, and of

course exi;remoly .Perilous. being perchec1 on a cli.f'f shear above the river

The com,.·:onest means or· communication

to the ·.·:est Gonst f1•om NGlson W"'cis by sea, but i;hen oven the mouths of the

Buller end Grey became silted up ot times and it \·Jas completely out off

from the world.

'f>akaka and Collint-.. ,;;·Jood ror!!l yot anothe:r• portion of th6 scattered

population. These t·wo so·btlements are cut off' by a range of hills

asceuding to a he!,:;ht of' 3, 000 i'eet, \Jhich must have presented a bar:t'ier

to the pioneers.

'l'he rernuinin13 population of the l:Ie1son Diocese lies in the v:airaa

Access by land from

Nelson was (~x':.re-:'aly difi'icul t - one trail up t!le :.'ai tai valley and over

the Ii:aUJl!Jatapu ·."Jo.ctdle fu1.d down the f.'elorus, ancl also u longer but more

easy trail over the 'J.'o p-J louse ,')addle and tlourn the ''lairau valley. Both

trails passed through heavy bush and over mountains ~:nd both encountered

the obstacle of the ':'Jairau river, a dangerous barrier with shifting b~:;ds

and treacherous currents.

rJu.t rfwn as well as nature H01nctimes placed porilo in the path of

travellers. On the top of the ::aun;;_;atapu, E'l. gang of' bush-rangers, which

TiJ::lS oparat!J~ in the t.:i:x:t1es, t<-:tu•dered i'our gold-diggers .. 'These briga.nd.s

- 19 -

had also terrorised the ~'7eet Coast people.

Such '.1!<18 tha nature of the country which is tho b£1ckground to

the hL;tory of the work or the Church in Nelson; it au{~ests 'l;he llt'lt:.tre

of many of the ?,rave rJi;~fieultiea i·t had to enccuntex•,

mainly concerl1e(1 with COH1munications and ·the soatti-)!'Od Jl'J.ture of the.

population. It took the Bishops weeks to make ·their p."lstoral tours to

the .East nud. .'e.!';t Coosts, nnd ·theu only under most ri3ol•oun condi tiona.

'l'he cler·:Y in the ordinary pnstoral vmrk had to cover enorraous distances

in dif1'ioul t country • some of it with a yearly rainfall of over one

hunclred inchon, to viait their widely dispersed parinhioners. As trained

t11e:cG:;· were neces~arUy very few in so yoUlt.g and remote a scrttlement, one

man had to underi;alw the •,;rork oi' many, duties as well as difficulties being

.multiplied beyond the imagination of tho.:;e uccustorr1ed to tile wo1•k of an

r~nglish ch;-J.rge.

I.::i'CRODUQ'.l'IDl.'r B

During the !"irst t'."Jenty years of tho nineteenth century, the

;:;v<:mgelicals ~.vera the most prominent members of the Church. Offshoots

of ·~he "~:V;;mgelical :.rovmrent were tim Religious Tracrte, tho Church ?drtsionary •

and the British and f!'oreign Bible ;;]ocietios. Prominetlt members of this

movement -::.;ere the Gurney and .Buxton fa.railies, ;Hilliam .filbe:d'orca) and

Charles Jim.eon ot' Kings Collr::;~e, Cambridge. 'I'lw life of the Evangelicals

was very simple ~:.md full o.r spiri tu.ul devotion. It viaS a COJrdnOn thing

fOl' :army serious f~:udlios to hold services tT>'Jico a day and have tv,.ro hours

of rJcripture l"'<?ading. .Phis ochool wa.s devoted to the stu(ly of tho .Bible, .--::; ,~,

in promoting foreign miss:lons, and education. 111e:y tended to lay too

much stress on emotion, :Jnd the j)l'O:i'esaioa of religiOl1 i)OC<:U!t€ easy. 'I'.he

Claph.:;tn :1oct, ·;h ic\1 con.siutccl of la,'{lna.n, we::tl thy mcn:c;1ants and aristocrats,

W<J.S a a·bron3 .force in ·the politias of "!;hut tinte. ~Iannnh ./ore, ttlllo wrote

religious trac'iiS, and '!'ilberfol'Ce, who roused the country to tho horrors

of: slavery vrere proninc.nt members .. 'l'he power of tho I!:il"s.ngelioal r1:ovement

VIO.S strofi8thened by the op})OSi t ion to the French Hovolution .. It was

partly ·than;~s to them tJut outbreaks :'!gaimJt the ;;:over.nrnent; or ·a rejection

oi' Christianity dld not occur in 3-"llY .sreut stren,;th.

·rho Church 'ifi:J.S in c~ very critical position. 'fho c lo1•gy WOl'-' of

saculnr and worldly habits, they h.~d little roligious enthusiasm, nnd their

::::Vs.n,;;clichl:isn -was but superficial., ".the clergy Joined in the country life

of' amusement and ®Ort. 'l'he Liberalism of 18:.'>0 adopted. a hos·tUe attitude

- 21 -

to the Ohu:rch. Tho rich raturll$ from so.r.;e o.t' the bensi'iccs wore a

public acaudal, and tha:~.·a wa.s a thrent of CJisostabliBhi:tent. In 1m~.2

D'1.' •. '\rnold, vllw a dvooated the ad:nission oi' dissenters, a~dd, "'I'he Church

as it novr stand.s, no hu.man. power can sava.rt

l}IXt it was brought in cloBer touch v.ri 'lib. the noed.s of' the age by

parlian:entary legislation and f) new roliQ;ione movemonto

Rob ad: ?eel re-ar:t.•nnct.'ld the Church :ro:vennos.

appointed., which I'e})orted. the c;;ron test inequality :'1.11 the and.ov:ments of

various bone:t'loes and :Pori shes, and 81:ro1.F;:~a the need or refonn in tho

Gnthoclral chapters .. 1.neso ·.'tera 111 ~l most ln .. :neutable st,,:~to; they vrere

doing 1i ttle to prorr.oto lcux·ning and less to advance the apil'i tudl con-

dition of the people. The d:1ily services :·rero but scmi.tily attended.

In 1B:0:6 an :\ct of P?<rliar;~ent ro-ar-c•'J.n;ed the bou.nd~ries of' the dioceses 1

sHt up an .It~caleaiastical Go:r;misrdon, and o;Ttaolishcd ne·;q bishoprics for

In li32H tho abolition of ·the 'l'ost ~mc1 Corporation

Ac1;s h~;.d removed certain disabilHie::; of bohh "Roman Catholics and dissenters.

'l'en years latGl' the 'l'i'litlo Oorrunutation \ct was pas~md, :tJ:hich :tixed the au.r::

to be p.:;.1id on the average prica of corn for: seven yearJ.. Compulsory

Ol:u.ll'ch rates wore also abolished.

'l'his arose out of' the strong ror1antic interest in the past which

Jir :;alter Scott (lid much to foster. Ire found in thE'J past a more simple

am1 e;anorous Clll'istian life.. 'l'he arlCient l>l'inciplos and teaching or the

U..'!J.divid.ed Church were revived.. 'I'ha leaders of the flOVonent ware Cr. Houth,

Coleridge, .John Eoblo, r:·illia.m Palm~r, Edv;ard F'U~l•3:T, Jo:m Ht~nry l·Tewman

- 22 -

and Hobert 'J:ilberforce.

'l'lle bag5 n.ni.ng of the ~/ovew.e.ut is usually referred to July

14th, 183~1, ~~Jhcn John Keble preache<l a sermon at Oxford entitled the

the Chur•ch, ::-md wns a solemn assertion of ·bhe s_pirltu.o.l fu.notiou and

r•oci tion or the Church.. Ha Wl3.S ·che first to Gi VH a cl<3ar accottnt o:!' the

.:\90Eitolic Jucces;sion. In the same? yca.r the .1\.soociation of the li'rionds

of the Church wao formed. ; any ~racts were published by this society,

with the aim to vindicato b~lief in the Church us e•11bouylng absolute

rcli~ious truth. 'Tho tracts ro.ised a p:r.•otest; against the shallov1 views

discouragillf.:!: adlwrence to -~he ancient doctrines oi' the Clnu~ch. They were

dlrecJGe<l aGainot the indifferent and e:<i:pow-1lled truo teaching of tho

fm(;lican Chm•ch as opposed to Popish and J?:rotostant dissent.

this movement arow~ed a strong feeling agains·t it, particularly

in .Ur. i\.rnolcl~ tho Broad Church Party, and the :&.'vangelicals. In 1841

John J'1e'mnan nnd others sectxlecl to the Homan Catholic Church, but Dr. Pusey

an.d Mr. Keblo stood firm.

OIL4R:\CT~·JUG'l'IGS OJ!' '.t':TS cmm.CH IN THI:3 P&'1IOD

The period 1830-50 was characterised by religious energy on all

sides .. r:issions were started to awaken the careless at home and the

heathen abroad. Religious lif'e in the comtnuni ties vras revived for men

a.nd women with remarkable results. (1) respite Pnrlinmentary Acts

reducing the political and economic pCYvler of the Clntrch, the parish system

still pla;{ed a laree part in social and economic life. In. the p101riah

( 1) ''.H. £lutton, n::;hort l1istory of Ch1Jrch in t;.reat Bri tainn, Rivin;_2;tons, Lomlon, 1904. pp. 260-272.

organisation, the villager parfonaed most of his social functions. The

officials who h.·Hl tlle most int:lmate relations with him were the Church

vm.rdens, and the contributions levied from. him were demanded in the name

of the parish. Such education as t~s available to his children vrds given

by curates or village schoolw~sters. The parish owned property. reo~ived

bequests, let out sheep and cattle, advanced money, made large profits by

c~urch sales, and engaged in trade. The membership o:t Church and state

being equally compulsory, the government used the parish organisation for

purposes which in a later age were to be regarded as secular.

· · A typical clergyman of that period is portreyed by Jane Austen in

"Pride and Prejudicert,. M:r. Collins, it must be admitted, is a somewhat

weak minded individual, but his circumstances and general attitude to life

were typical of some of the lower clergy.

"~.11' .. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency or natur® had been little assisted by nature and society •••••• and. though he belonged to one or the universities he had merely kept the necessary terms ••••••• The subjection in which his father had brought him up, had given him, originally, great humility in manner, but it was now a good deal counteracted by the sel~-conoait of a weak head, living in retirement, and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A t'ortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catharine de Bourgh when the ]Wing or Hunstord t1as vaoant ••••• w

When dining at the Bennet1s M:r .. Collins could ta,lk of nothing but

the merits of his patroness. Mr. nanuet srvn'l tired or this and said,

'~ou judge very properly, and it is happy for you that you possess the talent. of flattery with delicacy •. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions (to Lady de Bourgh) proce{3d from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study("

~~1len Mr. Collins was asked to read to the ladies after dinnar, a book was

produced. But he protested tb..."lt he never read novels and he finally chose

- 24-

~!Jhen he proposed to Elizabeth Bennet he stated his

views on w~rriage;

~iy reasons for marrying are first, tl~t I think it is the. right thing tor every clergyman in easy circumstances to sat an example of matrimony to his pariah; secondly that I ara convinced it will add greatly to my happiness; a.nd thirdly. that it is the particular advice and reco~11endation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness .. "

!;Tr. Collins was not discouraged vlhen Ellzabeth refused his oi'fer, believing

toot all young ladies rejac·ted the addresses of the young men whom they

intended to accept. Then he later withdrew his offer and within three

dayspropoaed to Miss Charlotte .Lucas who accepted his o:ffer.

A rather dtfferent conception of a cler~nau is given in the

description of Charlotte Bronte's father in Mrs .. Garkell's biography of

Charlotte Bronte. Patrick Bronte was stationed in the Yorkshire town of

Haworth, where the people ,vera employed in the woollen mills .. In this

village thero vrere Methodists and Baptists as w.ell, these other sects

having their o•vn chapels. 1w. Bronte was kind to the non-conformists as

a body, but from individuals in the village the farnily stood aloof. The

Yorkshira~en were of an independent nature and did not encourage pastoral

visiting. The poo ple considered him ''a rare good one, he minds his O>'lll

business and ne're troubles himself '.,'lith ours.rt He was faithful in

visiting the sick, and diligent in attendance at the schools. He fear-

lesaly took whatever side in politics seemed to him righ·t.. In the Luddite

riots he favoured the interference of law when no magistrates would take

action, thus taking 111a life into his hands because the workers held the

opposite view. However. when there was a strike at Haworth later, he

took the side of the workers because he re,sard.ed theirs a.'s the just cause. ( 2)

(2) Mrs. E.C. Gaskell, "Lifo ot Ohm•lotte Bronte", Oxford University Press, pp. 38-42.

- 25 -

Tlle Church in F'..ngland .frowned on nonoonfol'.tll.ists and was tending

to High Church views in the period before the Nelson settlement. For

those t~'O reasons many of the Nelson settlers left England. to seek their

homes in Ne\'.r Zealand. The organisation or the Church was x:igid and

autocratic and in those times had a practical monopoly on education,

poor relief and locnl government.

- 26 ...

Ttf1J: ClrunCH PRIOR '1'0 THE SE'l'TL:t:;tE!NT IN 1842

'l'he first contact ot the Church of England with the district that

was to become the Nelson Province was made by the Rev. Octavius Hadfj eld

who was stationed at 'Haikenai in 1839 • M;r .. Hridf'ield made many journeys

across Cook Strait to minister to the Maoris in the &!lunda, French :Fass,

and Tasman Bay. He made these dangerous journeys in an open boat.

battling against the treacherous currents and mighty winds of th•3 Straits -

a feat thn t w.1s more reiiltlrkable because of his frail health.

On November 8th 18~39, he l.'ecords :Ln a letter that his boat anchored

at Cloudy Bay near Spring Cree~ in the teeth of a strong wind. A PortugUese

who hf1d a whaling establishment thez•e came on board. 'l'wo days later. the

nov. Henry 'Killiruns preached on tho shore to the .ruitives and the Whites.

Mr. Hadfield described the locality as "a mlserabl_e place'' and in a

11 deplorable s:piri tual condition''. Some or the congregation appee.red

attentive and one or t1 .. vo asked for copies o:t' the New Testament.. On

'November llth,Had.field sailed to Queen Charlotte Sound to meet Colonel

Wakefield w·ho had been purchasing land. but he discovered tl;).at the 11Tory1'

lu1d sailed f'or Taranaki. Hadfield criticised '!fakefield' s nominal pu:rchase

and his failure to define bom1daries and to consult all parties concerned

in the ownership of the land. He was pleased at the numerous enquiries

for books fr~n natives and English.

In october 1840, he records another visit to queen Charlotte Sound,

"where there are many hundreds who cull themselves my children - I have

- 27 ...

lllUCh love for them..» ( 1)

Colonel Wakefield co.mrnented on· the marked difference shown by the

missionary natives of Queen Charlotte Sound from the non-Christian ones

of D'Urville Island. Of the former he said:

"'l'hey quickly shook hands with everyone coming their way· ........ . and seemed to oom1lder their appearance on board ...... ~ \'taB a matter of course and we were very glad to receive tham ...... r.chey also spoke more or less English> inquired where we were going to anchor, and agsumad an air of authority such as a pilot does who steps on board a vessel entering a stran~port ••••••• tlley behaved with decenoyatld propriety."

Of the D'Urville Island natives, V!akefield said:

tt( they} exh!bi t in nearly all 1 ts na..kedness the genuine savage character. They rubbed noses •••••• instead. of giving a sllake of the hand........ Their fnces were puintad like a European buffoon and their bodies thickly annointed with whale ·on and ocb.ro. 11

~rhe D'Urville Island chief, Wetu, told -(:lakefield he had four wives with

a fifth just dead.

England. (2}

He was amused to know he had more than the Kin€ of

In July 1841, J~dfield wrote that he was delighted with what he

had seen across the straits. "The seed had fallen on good ground and

brought forth fruit." At Ohukau in C~ueen Charlotte Sound he had a

COU8regaliion of eight hundred. ~~~e kindness and attention of these

people deli~.¥tted my soul." Seventeen natives were baptised there.

Rangitoto, or D'Urville Island, was his next port of call; where he found

the people 'vastly im.prov~<Jd' and thoir 'lrindness and civility unbou..'iding' ..

Eight we!'e admitted to baptism including the t'.lhief. Jfu.dfield considered

them amazingly clear on doctrinal points. One nativo had put aside one

( 1)

( 2)

EXtracts of letters of Bishop o. Hadfield in article in ":.!Ji tnessrt, 11The Church in the Diocese~'~, 1i~eb. let 1942. wrn tnass" is offi>?ial organ of Diocese of Nelson. A.H. _Field, t'J:lelson Province", p. 70.

- 28 ..;.

of his two wives on becoming Christian. A Chapel was built and their

"thoushts were set u.Pon spiri tua.l and heavenly thin(~s.''

In April l?A2, he i'vant on yet another tour in a newer and a afar

craft .. At ~ueen Charlotte Sound he wus received with great affflCtion

bocau.se hia life had been despaired of in his last illness .• .Seven

hw1dred were present at the service, fifty of whom w·ere baptised. At

Rangi toto he was "delighted vii th those dear people". He then paid a

visit to Nelson vrhere he was civilly received by Captain Wakefield. (3) ~

Just before the Nelson prelimitllry expedition left Gravesend in

April 1841, the Hev. 0.1',1. Torlesse, a 'brother-in-law of E.G. Walcofield,

·preached a i'arowell sermon to the emigrants, expounding to them the part

they -;-wuld. play in the development of a new country: 11You are going forth

to extend the British name in a far distant land, to lay probably the

:toWldation of fu·ture greatness end splendour in the place of the forest

i1hich youvrlll remove. The heathen hear a e:ood deal of Ch~istiani ty from

the missionaries j but thoy will judge it not by what they hear but what

they see in you.,, ( 4)

The first Church of .England services in the colony were held on

November 7th, 1841, in Captain Wakefield's tent and on the 11Whitby11 , the

flagship of the expedition. (5) In ':flay 1842, the H.ev. Charles lf/aring

Saxton arrived as a. temporary visitor to ·the colony, but he offered to

minister to Nelson until the arrival of a resident clergyman .. (6)

{3) »Church in the Diocese"- •twitnesstt, Feb. 1st, 1942 .. (4) viilson Heaps, 11

,'\ Jubilee Pupar", 13th Juue 1907. R. T .. ucas ;>.,Son, Nelson, 1907.

(5) Wilson 1Ieap:3, op. cit. (6) "Witness", Aus. 1st 19·12. nchurch o:f' England in Nelson".

GRAi'iiT OF l'TEW ZEALAND 001:PllilY J3'0R RELIGIOll3 Rt.JrJ)tfJM:ENT

In its projected plan :t:or the nelson settlement the New Zealand

Company had p:::•ovid~d £15,000 fo:r.• the eDttl"blishlnent of religious inatitu-

tiona .. To the Churoh of I:::n3land it declared its i'ltantion of advancing

a surft of £5,000 as a mortgage on the native reserves of the colony. The

object was to place funds at ita dispor3al for the iromediate benefit or

the natives, provided the reserves wore placed U11der efficient management,

and the government supervised the r.t'ln.ner in which the i'u.ntis were spent •

. The Company proposed to advance ;,:~5,000 :for. the estnblishme;lt of

·the Church in the colony of i:lelson, in conjunction with t\ contribtttion

of S::O,OOO made by the Ollurch in 1~11[~land. ':rhin large aum vms mada

available by the considerable funds the colonists h~d placed at the

disposal of the Gompany for reli3ious purposes. The Company's scheme

included also plans f'or a collage which vms to bo placed under the

superintendence of the Angliean Ohut>ch. 'rha ComDany Vl:<i8 the trustee

of a auJn of' £'7 ,500 -ruhich had bao.n contributed by the settlers for the

college .. tihen the fur.~.d had :rea chad £15,000 it was to be placed in the

hands or the settlers. (7) Bishop f.lalvzyn concurred with the plan of

the Oom.pany for the treatment of 11atives. In December 1841. he e'ltpressed

his intention to station a olorgym.an in Nelson and provide him with a.n

income of not less than .£250 out oi' :funds raised by the Church at Home ..

The £5,000 granted by the Company vres to be reserved for "building churches,

parsonages and schools, and for the extension of the Church through the

:Nelson settlement in proportion to the inorease of population. •t ~he

(7) "Report New Zealand'', 29th July 1844. Printed by House of Co.rnmo.ns. Appendix to 12th Report of .N •. t;. OOl!lpan;)'· ;1pp. 657-663. 0.21. Letter from. secretary of N.z ... Company to .Bishop of f'i.Z. 50th Nov. 184L

- 30 -

Bishop declared he waa ready to give advice on the subject of the

collega and t~~t he would be thankful to bo included on the Nelson

Board of' Directors if tile plan adoptedtor the institution allowed it .. (8)

(8) "Report Navt Zealand", App. 657-663. G.22. Letter from Bishop of Now Zealand to Secretary of N.Z. Company, 2nd Dec .. 1841.

- 31 -

HISTORY OF 'l'iill CHU'dCH IU Tlffi N'ELBON SET'l'LEfti::N'r

Early Dals to 1870

On Sunday • Hovombar 7th, 1841, the fi:r:·st Church of Jmglrmd

service ims held in ·the new colony in Captain Wakefield's tent.

Apparently after prayers the factors or the Oon;pany broke the Sabbath by

mal{ing it pay-day to au accompaniment of muoh equ.abbling. The m.isaionary

1f,aor1s who were holding a service of their ovm, muHt have been sorely

dis~lluaioned. On Christmas Day another service was held on board the

'tt'Jhitby"• to which the natives were invited .. It was noted that the

Maoris again set a good example by refusing to indulge in liquor. (1)

In March 1842, the Rev. Octavius Illidfield visited Nelson. Fie

read services at the Port to the natives and later to the Europeans.

The natives oong their hyrnna in n sit'tins position, but reverentially.

Tho English. s<1l·Yice wt'l.S conduC:ted in the Immigration Barracks with about

fif'ty colonists and a few l::ao:ris attending. ( 2)

In. t.ray, tho Rev. Charles ·waring ::::-ax-ton, a distinguished graduate

of Oxford ',ITith first class honours in ·Eathama.t.ics and se<~and in class~cs.

llo had been ordained priest in 1~~2 by the

Bishop ot Oxford. 1Uthough ho was only a temporary visitor to New

Zealand, he undertook the m.in!stry voluntarily in Nelson, since there

was no settled olergymwut there. (3)

(l) Wilson Heaps, nA Jubilee Paper"• Juno 13th 1907 .. H. lucas&. Son, Nelson. (2) Diary of Ron. W.J .. Ba.rnioaat, .March 29th 1842 •. (::J) "Rev. O.I,. Roo.y > B.A .. tt, Nelson Diocesan Oa.zette.

- 32 -

During the first few months utter the arrival of the nelson

in~ierants there vms, to judge from available records, general neglect

on the part of the settlers to attend publio worship and. even family

worship. The zeal of the na.tivea,who held regular services, should have

been felt as a rebuke. It is interesting to note the order of service

at the Uaori meetings. The natives first sang a. hymn, then responded to

the sentences of a standing reader who read from the New Testrunent. He

~~s succeeded by another reader who read with great fervour from the san~,

several of the others following him from their open books in their hands.(4)

On October 17th, 1841, George Augustus Selwyn was consecrated

Bishop of .New Zeuland at Canterbury Cathedral .. He was a man of unboun~

zeal snd great determination combined with •true humility'. He carne from

an ancient family of lawyers and soldiers. Educated at }~on and Oxford,

he took his Bachelor of Arts degree with a second in classics. Two years·

afte~he was ordained deacon and beckm1e curate of Boveny Parish in Oxfordshire.

lie became a priest in the next year and a curate to the Rev. Isaac Gosset,

vicar of Datchet and Ne1:1 Windsor, where he acq_uil•ed an increasing influence

in the discussion of Church problems. (4a)

On Bishop Selwyn's ar:ri val in NO'N Zealand in ?:Jay, the "Examiner If

said that the Nelson settlers did not desire that he should reside 1n

Nelson on account of the expenditure it would entail; but that his

arrival 1n Ne~v Zealand would be hailed with pleasure if he was to come

araon.s~st the settlers 'with an intelligent and friendly spirit' • ready to

recognise all denominations of Christians, and to reapeet differences in

(4) Diary of Mr. J.'/J. Saxton, June 19th, 1842. (4a) Very Rev. H. Jacobs, D.D., "Colonial Church Tiistor~', S.P.C.K. p. 95.

- 33 -

the views they might taka or policy in regard to education .. ( !3}

BL3HDP SELVffiP$ VISIT

On Sunday, August 21st, Bishop Sel\~~ landed in Nelson, the police-

rnagist~te providing him with a "tvto-:roomed hui; .for his :reoidence during

his visit. The Blshop h~:td a lf.l.rge tent e1•ectod .i1eur "che Church Hill to

serve as a ohurah. In his diary he describes it as a §mo3t c~aplete

Cathedral, vlitb. pulpit. reading desk, conmrunion table, rails, kneeling

boord.s, etc .. I :f'i t ted 1t up vn th boards resting on trunks of small trees

let in to the ground, which the natives cut fo:r me on the day of my landing.

thus proviclin3 seats for ~NO hund.red, which were well filled last Sunday.rt

Selwyn took native se1~Cea as well aa Rnglish, and also conducted Sunday

Schools; indeed his labou.rs were incessant during this· Nelson visit.

On his second Sunday, August 28th, his progra:nme included:

at 8 a.m. a native service; 9.30 a.m. English Sunday School;

11 a.m. Tme;lish service; 1 p.m. na.ti ve school; 2 p .. m. English school;

3 p.m. English service; and native service at 4 p.m. II.e re.marked,

11 it was a happy day and .full o1' conlfort. •• ( 6)

At the EneHsh school the children \7ere taught to read the responses

properly and find their places in the Bible and I:rayer Book .. The Bishop

observed that they showed a considerable improvement since his arrival. (7)

The Bishop•s service on August 28th made a deep impression on the

Nelson settlers. i:!fr .. Barnieoat described his sermon as admirable, te)

( 5) nNelaon hxaminer", May 26th, 1842. ( 6) Bishop Sel'rfyn, Y~NETN Zealand", Part I, pp .. 40-48.. Letter 2 .. (7) Cp. cit. pp. 40-48. Letter ~. (8) Diary of Hon. W.J .. Barnicoat, Sept. 6.th, 8th, 1842 ..

- 34 ...

and Mr. Samuel Stephens, ns excollent and impressive, shovrin,g a high

devotional spirit. (9)

A tew day~:> bot'ora, a. publil3 mGed;ing had been held ill the surveyors'

mess-room to prepare an. address to the Bishop, in which hope was expressed

tor his co-operHtion in m.akin5 provision .for the support and happiness

of' the native race. On 'l'ueaday • Augus·& 30·th, a deputation presented the

addl.'et-:;s to the Bishop. ln reply tlw Biallop declared that he considered

it a ''glorious pri·vilege to be a member or ·t>.lle A.ngl1can Clmrch. whicll was

a wonderful adaptation to the wa11ts ot' God and man .. if The Bishop

promised his earnest and zealous co-operation in forming a, settlement

upon the principle of preserving the native rHea, in which institutions

for their careful training must be provided. (10) A contem.porury- V'1ri ter

considered that the Bishop's repl:,r savoured too much of ~Ugh Church views

but it lsas of a cheering and satisfactory nature, pi..l.rticularly in regard

to the policy he was to pursue on the question or the natives. {11)

l'he 'lillh•d Sunday the DishO.P was in :N~lsou, was a day o.f heavy rain

and hig;.i. vnnd. In the ;;:.o:rning the Bishop preached a sermon on behalf of

the Church building fund. Ths collection amounted to £.34, although the

appnllin,;;s weather did not permi't a. congrega-tion of more than :fifty or

sixty to assemble. His sermon wns very :t:Ol~cible ~md striking, arousing

much admiration. { 12) 'l'h.e weather was so inclement that the congregation

h,..q.d to open their umbrellas in church 1 and in the afte;l'noorl the tent

blew, down.. ( 13)

( 9) Letters ot' Srunuel Stephana, P• 95. (10) "Nelson J.!.'xalllin.er", 3ept. 27th, 1842. (11} Letters of Srunuel Stephana, P. 94. ( 12) Diary of !'!. J. Da:r11i coat • Sept. 4th, 1&12. (13) Diary of J.H. Saxton, Sept .. 4th, 1842.

Mr. 1uckett furnished the plan tor the site ot the church and

the eam.etary .. 'I'he Bishop asked G6ptu1.n 1o'llkefield that the two buildings

' ' church. To avoid bronlring into the Endowment Fund, tho cost of .£200

tvas to be raised by subscription.

Tho i:f.av. Clw.rles I.ucas ::tea;r sailed to Nevt Zealand ;'71th Bishop

::!elwyn on the '1'1'omatintt.. He had taken hie degree at G-:r.:ford and became

vicar or i3wanborue, Bucks, in 1839 .. The Church Missionary Society

deoid.ed that he should minister in New 'Zealand rather than in Africa or

India .. on the voys.ge to Nav; Zealand he l'iaS preoccupied in making a

concordance o:t' the £,1aori New Testament. He arriv·ed in Nelson on the

"Victoria 11 on Au..sust 21st with Bishop Sehvyn, who appointed him resident '

clergyman there. He acted in conjunction with Mr .. Saxton who continttously

conducted services at Nelson while Mr. Heay attended to his pastoral work

in the outlyi11B districts of the 'iiaimaas and !,',otuoka. He wan middle-aged

>~len ho arrived in the colony and his delicate frame and calm reserve

contrasted vti th .Selwyn, who wus in the early th.irtioo and in the prima

ot his athletic powet•s. (14}

THE CirtJRCH SI'I'E

During the Diahop's visit the site for the church was chosen -

''A gl'and situation: a small mou..nt rising to the height of one hundred

feat in the centre of the litth plain, on which the chief part ot the

town stands~ with a flat su:r.mit sufficient for tho base of a fine

building. (15)

(14) ttnclsou Diocesan Gazettett, Rev .. C.L. Reay, B.A., April lst, 1927. (15) Bishop 3elvqi;l, op .. cit., Part I, p. 48.

Captain Wakefield supported Bishop Selwyn's proposals and expressed

his belief that "the assembling of such a large congregation at rtelson and

attention to the education of the children would have as great an influence

on the Maori population as any direct appeal vihich had beon made to them. 11 (17)

On the srune site as that of the temporary church the Bishop intended to

erect a building of considerable size and arohi teotural beauty, \qhioh would

be the Cathedral of the South !eland. 1'his lar•ga.r church \\IUS to be built

round the temporary church as funds pennitted. .~'hen the walls of the

new church were sufficiently completed, the temporary church would be

removed.. The architecture planned was Gothic because of a renaissance

in Gothic art prevalent at the time, and the Bishop's strong liking for

that type. (18) Uaanwhila, the building used for ·worship ~ras the money-

office and later on, in November, the court house \'laS opened for aervioeth (19)

On Sunday, January 22nd 1843, the temporHry wooden church, which wns

originally the immigration depot and had been purohused from the Company,

was used tor the first time.. The interior was bare and the rrdlters and

uprights still exposed to view. The altar and ita precincts were covered

VIi th scarlet cloth, which produced a rich affecrt for ao humble a church.

Mr .. Raay now preached one Sunday in the month in the ::raimeaa, Hr .. Charles

Saxton repl~aing him at Nelson in his absence. After tlle services , the

natives used to assemble to be oatechised, the questions und answers being ,

in the native tongue. 'l'he Maoris cUd not adopt n:m.~opeatl dress tor Church

going and still preferred their picturesque blankets. (20)

.By ii'ebruary, Bishop selwyn had plana for the bttildlng of the

permanent ch~ch and expressed his hope to Captain :':akefield that he \•Iould

tt.Roqort Hevr Zeal®-d"t JUlY.lB44. App. 657-663. O.~~.a. Latter !'rom A. ~tafield to ~ishop 01 ~.z. ·~r.;r .. rernicoat, op. ci't. •'Jpt. 8th 1842. (19} .J.W .. .:>axton, oo. cit. \V.J .. Barnicoat, op. cit .. Jan. 22nd,29th, Ifel).l2,184:5.(liov. 27th 1842.

... 37 -

b~ able to lay the foundation stone on his next visit. 'l'he interest

derived from the Compuny•s grant vros to be ~nployed for building a portion

or the church .. In every follow1Th~ year Captain \'.lakefield had the povrer

to spend on the church the money available for the current year when other

emplo~nent vros scarce for the workmen. (21) Selv¥,1n desired to use only

the interest from the Trust funds and not the capital, because the funds

were destined :for the descendants e.s wall as the existing generation, and

private contributions would other;dse be discouraged. Therefore Anglicans

of Nelson ·Nould have ·to be content with simple buildings 111hile portions of

the pe.r;T,anent structure were gradually added through the years. (22)

The Wairau ,tlfassacre in June 1843, vrds e. heavy blorn to the Nelson

settlers. Church 11111 was fortified and became known as Fort Arthur ..

9'l-A'V""Y"O tJNde.d A bullet-proof otookade with rarnparts and a moat es.voPeEl an acre. The

double vmlls were each two inches thick and tho in:terstices were tilled

with rarnmed clay .. Six cannon were mounted and a drawbridge at the

northe1•n end provided the only rr:eans of entrance. ~23)

his sacond visit in I~camber, noted the vast change in the settlement

caused by the Massacre.

Tlle Rev. Henry Francia Butt arrived with the Bishop on December 8th,

to relieve the Rev. o.w. Saxton who returned to England. He later became

heo.dtnaster or the rrevrport Grammar School and an author! ty on classical

11 terature. fie is noted specially tor two critical works - the "Agricola

of 'l'acitua11 and 11War of Sallust". (24)

Mr. neay, who was chiefly noted for his work amongst the [;iaor:ls,

{ ''l) ''Report N. z. '' App. 657-653. G.41, Bishop ;3elwyn to Captain 1•1Takefield,

~ Feb. 27th, 1843. (22) rtRaport N .. 'Z .. ". App. 657-653. G.40. '1 11 n 11 [,~ay 23rd, la-1.!:)

'(23) ''";Jelson Diocesan Gazatte", 11 Rev .. C.L. !?eay, B.A .. " Oct. 1st, 1927 .. (24) Op. cit., 1\.ug. 1st, 1927.

- 38 ..

~ma a member of the Church Missio&~ry Society, and his atuy in Nelson vms

never meant to be permanent. Because of the heavy burden of his work in

.Nelson, Bishop ::;elwyn appointed him. to the cure of lflaiapu Valleyt l:lawkes Bay.

Just prior to his daparturo Governor Grey, on March llth 1847, gave a dinner

· in his honour at the Bishop's school. In April be departed for his n6'JT

post. (25)

On Bishop aelwyn•a 1848 visit to Nelson, he gave an unfortunate

e~nple of his autocratic nature. Tho captain of his brig T1Und1ne" •

Crunpion by name, was tried in the Magistrate's Court for theft from a shop.

Although Campion TJras an habitual drunkard, r eliab1e witnesses stated that

he was absolutely sober at ·the time of the theft. The Bishop apparently

overawed the Court, who dismissed the charge of theft and treated it as a

case of drunkenness. 'lb.e "E:x:arniner" acidly commented that "A man who

porf·eetly recollects a drunken conversation and yet ie unconscious of

cutting away three balls of wire from a door post and carrying off four

fishing lines and a hank of tvvine, must have reached a ;;:;tage of inebriety

which is quite new to ua, and if proved to be trus, the phenomenon is so

singular that it was worthy of mantion.n (26)

On the Bishop's visit in April 1049, a deputation waited on him to

point out the necessity for building a church, since the temporary building

was no longer fit f'or public worship. (2?) rerly in ?iay, a meeting was

held for the Pt'II'IJOSe of taking measures towards its erection. The

(25} "Kelson Diocesan Oazetta«, nnev. C.L .. Reay, S.,A.", Mar. 1st, 1928 (26) rtNelson :l!::X:aminer'1 , Ma.y l~th & 20th, 1848. (27) Op. cit., April 9th, 1848~.

- 39-

subscriptions began at once and reached over £100, indepand.ent of the

,£200 promised by the Bishop from. the Endowtnant .f!'und. In that year Selwyn

secured the grant of the site of Oh~ch Hill from the Cro\~, tor a church

o:t" the United Church ot England and Ireland. The site ~ros to be used

:t'or no other purpose whatsoever. On June 36th, 1~9, the .Rev .. -H. F. Butt

lftid the foundation stone of the building which hnd been designed by

the Rev. F. ~~atchar. (28) The Cathedral project was abandoned. in the

meantime because ot the expense.

Bishop Selw:rn was .suspect am.ong the ohurcrunen of :Nelson for his

iU@l Church view's. At a meeting in 1851 in the Christ Church schoolroom.

tlie 131shop vmiJ naked to deny some charges brouc~ht against hirn of Pusayism

and Popish tenoeno:l.ea .. The charges ware first, that ne was a Puseyite,

and secondly that he had recommended a . './ellington lady to consult the

Roman O!:ltholic Bishop there. 'lhe second charge Selwyn denied, but he

said ha 1N8.3 ignorant of the term •tPUseyi ten and made a l'eference to the

Bimeonites as the followers of Mr. Simeon, yot all the heads o:t' the

colleges (Oxford) followed that lamented gentleman to the grave.. At

that meeting tl1e Bishop gave a sketch of a mission to be carried out in

the Pa.oi:fio. out o:t £1.000 subscribed in Sydney, £:400 was to go as a

l~an to Nelson. (29)

rlhe Hon. Constantine Dillon, in a letter substantiated the charges

rnade against tho Bishop. "I do not think. the term •turbulent priest'

applies to him; he is much too f.'l.'eat a Jesuit to be ttu•bulent; he goes

about insinuating himself quietly. 11 He did not O.eceive anyone in Nelson

(28) Very Hev. J~cobs, D.D., noolonial Church Histories- Dioceses of Uevr Zealand"• p .. 446.

( 29} !fNelson Rramine r't, ?•lay 12th, 1851 • .

when he volunteered to clear himself of the charges made against him at

the meeting. "He hr s dresserl up his clergy in such ftt.rmy couts buttoned

to the chin and nearly down to the ankles, with great broad sashes round

the waist, which in our eyes looks most furiously :popish .. 11 He laid

enormous stress on the Disciplesp as if he ·wished to put them batcneen rrad

ancl. the people. Dillon doubted if there would be any Ghuroh of E'ngland

left if Bishop ::Jeh'l'J!1 continued as he \'VaS doine then. n Some few are

turning Catholics, but ·the great majority turn Independent and Baptist.a (30)

The new church vms opened by the Bisho.P of New .J,ealand on December,

Dr .. Selwyn delivered an excellent and impressive discourse

to a crowdecl congregation of over six hundred. The collection was

d.eotlned for the lmilding fund. The Presbyterians and Wesleyans showed

their good-:llll by closing their churches and swelling the congregation at

the ne-r1:r church. It was buiH in early F.nglis'a style in the form of a

cross. '!"'he north windows contained a p!eae of stained glass presented

by J,rr. Campbell. (211)

At the end of 1655 Archdeacon raul arrived, to become head of the

/l.!'chdeuconry Board. He was appointed :\rahdeacon of the Waimea in

November. He hrtd distinguished himself at Oxford, by gai.nillg second class

honours in Classics and winning the medal for classical speeches. He

was also the author of rtG:racian Antiquities". (32)

!n January 1857. the Rev. H.F. Butt left Nelson to become

Archdeacon or the Wairau. ·I'he 11Examiner1' commended him for his work

(30) Letters of Hon. Constantine Dillon 'I:O his .mother. in Turnbull Library. ''Nelson Ex:runiner", Dec. 20th, 1851 .. Bishop 3adlier' s notes on Archdeacon J?aul.

Typevrritten copy

- 41 -

in Nelson for fourteen ya~1rs in moa·t dhtcou~gin.g conditions .. lle was

praised !'or his kindly nature tzmd. Chl'istian charity. Bal'ora his departure

1H~ was presented with a purse o.f' 165 sovore igns ·Jrtlich had boon oolleota\l

from his lata parishioneers. (::53)

In March 1868, Bishop SehrJn visited 1'lelson tor the last tims as

on the morning of' the 8th, he pl~O£H1hod in

aid of the ;;:elanesiun fdission, att<l in the ufteruoon he consecrated the

church where the collection was devoted to the fund for e.nlare:ing the

ohQ't'Oh.. ( 34)

ln ;;eptember a church mo,)ting resolved to take steps .to enlarge

\Jh.rist Ghuroll either by raising u loan or i'rom a public suusori ption. ( ::',5)

Nelson havin,~ beeo. cr!'luted a c1.iocese in 1858, (sec page 91)

Bishop Hobhouse nrrivod in :\pril 1859 us tho 1'1rst I::inb.op. .He was

:r.•aputod to have boon comJlollod to taka a h<.\nd !u managing the b<"at in

which ho wo.s lantHn:~; from. tho sh1p, and !'O'.md to his diocese in hia

shirt sleeves.

on the mor.ning of the 28th, the ,\rchdeaconry .i3oartl presonted tln

o.dd.rr;;ss to the Bishop .. The installation sel'Vioe was held in the ai'ternoon.

Paul rer.;d. the oortit"1onte ot nomination, ~:t.nd the oat~ of obedience to the

Yetropolitan of Now ;_:ealand we.t~ administered by the Eiehop's seortiltary ..

(53) '' £1alson Fc'X.!l ·:1tner" J I:eo. :30th ,!,~ J'an. 2~~i !d, 105? -B .. (04) op. cit.· ·nroh 7th, 1858 (:35) op. cit. :3ept. 11th*1858.

- 4;$ -

'l'he Bishop was installed by Archdeacon Faul.. The women members of the

congrog'ltion presented the Bishop with a chair ofl elaborately carved

black birch vd th red vel vat cushions. ( 36)

In 1859 the i'irst meeting of the Diocei'sn Synod 1.ras held in Nelson,

details of which concerned tho Diocese as a 'Nhole rather than Christ

Clm:rch, :tleh;on. (Se$ page 93 }

'rhe 1860 Synod was notable for an attack by Bishop Uobhouse on

the noman O:a.tholio Ohuroh. In his pastoral address he stated. "It was

by God's r~ood c:,;uidanco that the E:uglish rofortrlatlon purged away the

accretion of Roinish error." An anonymous Roman Catholic qor:respomlent

to the (f EY~aminer'1 oomi,1onted on the unbrotherly snd un-Christian attitude

oi' J"he Bbhop and his odious condemnation of a roligious body. (5'7)

In an.otb.or letter tho aume correspondent remarked that the Bishop had

shown an unchc:ri table spirit in u::dng the word "Romish 11 , •:Jhich was found

onl;/ in Protestant vwrks. 'rhe Bishop as~:mmed that the trusteeship of

the true faith had been cormnitted by tho apostles to his church alone ..

How could this have happened when the Church of England had been in

~-xi stance i'or only three hundred years'? ( 38)

In Februar:r 1862, an attempt v,ras .made to interest Nelsoniana

in the Church t~insion.a.ry society .. The Bishop of New Zealand presided

over a meeting at which the Bishops of Chl•istch•.U'ch, Waiapu, Wellington,

Nelson, and Xelaneaia were present .. Bishop ~\elwyn's ad.dress was on the

subject of the work done among the natives in ivfelaneaia; he also p_reaohed

(36) ".Nelson ].xam1nar", r.·ay 4th. 1859. (37) Op. cit., Sept. 26th, 1860. (38) op. cit., oct. 6th, 1860.

.. 43 -

a seru1on on the work arnong the :~:aori s. ( 39)

'lha Bishop's charge to the Synod in 1052 revMled u great

' incl•easa of _population in Nelson. :\.11'. C.L. Maclean had arrived in

":Jlay ·to be assistant curate in the city and the suburbs. The Rev.

H.M. 'l'ur·ton vm.s ·then. CUl'ate at Christ Church, a neat chapel W1.1S being

built at Whakapuaka, and a site to the south o:r the city h:1d been

purchased for the Bishop'a rasidence and :1 church. .At this synod it

was resolved that it was e:xpcdien·t that the :pr3scmt parochial district

or Nelson be di vi <led into t;vo parishes, the bounds. ries beint.~ accorcling

to the suggestion made through the petition to the synod. (40)

In l'iovember 1862, an mlfortun:'lte indication of Bishop Hobtouse•s

narrow-mindednesa appeared in the · ltl!;:x:aminer". A letter to the paper

::me.gested. thot there was un impression th:1t the p1•1vate spiritual

services of the Church of Eflgland ·:rere to be ':71 thheld from all persons

who were not recognised members of the Church. ''Can the charity •••••

have been supplanted in the .Bishop's mind by the influence of soJlle

evil genius'?" ( 41)

1~e Bishop's gloomy outlook on life in Nelson was revealed

in a report to his friends at Oxford on the Diocese or Nelson. The

Rev. Hutchinson, in an address to fellow ministers at Oxford, painted

a disheartening picture of ungodliness and indif'f'erenoe in Nelson.

The standard of morals, acco1•ding to the address, was at a very low ebb,

(39} "Nelson E:rominer", lt'ab. 26th, 1862. (40) ~tNelson Diocesan Synod", l862, R. Lucas, Iielson. ( 41) "Nelson .£:r.:aminer11 , :nov. 22nd.t 1862.

- 44 -

owi!l.g perhaps to tlle v~;n~y lO\'l estimate or the sacred cha:racter of

.llltirr1age prevailing in 1-l"elson. "'r.ha ffJ.l~aminer" wus m.oBt indignant at

tb.is black ropresentc.tion. A leader of .Earch 21st, 186~?, scathingly

re.narked t;-1at nBishop ::robhouse vms not tho man to taka a tl''Ue view of

evax•yday life. :1e vm.s e sort of Caravaggio who aaw a vcr·y dark background

VTi tl1 a i'0w pai11ful faces r)eering out of the gloom. n He appeared to

cla.c>sHy peor)la into saints or nmrderers, sheep or goats. He has not

conveyed a trua picture oi' society in lrell3on to his friends at Oxford.

He accused the people ot Nelson o1' slumbering in apathy whilst the

education of the young;er generation "v.ras being poisoned at 1tn source. '1

A school-teacher, o. widow, hnd l!larrie;1 her lute husbund' 11 brother. Tb.ls

branded as a Cl'ime of inceat, a judg1110nt v;hich the !'~olson people had

deprecated. From this, the Hiahop had deduced t;hat the crime of polygamy

was looked on favourably in Nelson .. "He is respected ever.YV~here for

earnestness and salf'-denial. but runs a groat risk of losing all personal

inf'lil!.ence for good, from the priestly sin of dagmatism. 11 { 42)

1863 was a moat troublous year for tha Church in ·Nelson. In.

1'1ay, the Rev. H.M. Turton wus arrested.$ charged with a orirne. At a

meeting of the Vestry of the Eastern and :'!estet•n parishes, the cure of

Christ Church t~s declared vacant. (43)

Bishop Hohb.ouse had sevarGl conl'liats with members of the

concrogution at Christ Church. ~pparently two members were in the I

llabi t of leaving toe church before the Bishop began to preach.. 'l'he

( 42) »nelson R:<aminer 1', ~:arch .~1st, leo:-'·.

-(43) Op. cit., i•'iiY 2nd, 1863.

- 45 -

churchwardens throa·!iened the two men with a charge of trespa.ss if' they

came to the church again, or vri th a public n(lrnoni -t;ion b;r the minister ..

The nExaminertt, urgin.'~: moderation, remarked that tb.erH 'liB.S a hint of

formal excon·.municatio.n about the Bishop's wish to exclude the men, but

also observed that if the offenders had a conscientious objection to

the Bishop's vie1ns, they shoulcl absent themselves v1hen he wa"l preaching.

-There was no :real ground in the Bishop t s sermom1 for such prote.sts. .No-

one should have boen offended thou;::.h he might have dif'foretl from him.

'l'he congregation, which had not put any preGAUre on the offenders,

was urged by the 11 :it'xaminer11 to drop the matter, and those who objected

not to p\lSh ·the issue to extremities. On August 6th a meeting of' seat-

holders in the church vms c~1llP-d by the church;;ardons, to consider a

letter addressed to ther11 by thG Bishop, which req_ui:::·od. some ,~uG.rantea that

order be preserved durine the ssrvic~~ Otherwlse, tho nisl10p said he

would be compelled to condnct a Hervice in so:ne privs.1;s lmildbg.(44)

This put an end to the fli.sturbanoes.

In the 1863 Charge to tlle Jynod, the Bishop spoke of a plan of

organising the Eastern and ./estern J:.:Srishes in Nelson. In the North Sind

South suburbs a movement had begun 1'or the ero<:tion of small churches.

In AUf.:.'1.13t 18&4, Bishop Hobhouse tendered his resignation. His

reason was an affection of the head provoked by severe over-study and the I

worry of a town cure as well as the respo.nsibili ty of the l3ishopric.

He gave inatructiona for the election of his successor and proposed to

retire to the Waimeas too. district with a sooll cure. apringrove was

(c1.4) ''!:!olson Examiner", July 21st .and Aug. lZ>th, 1863.

... 46 -

his chosen place of retirement. (45)

The 'rl1Xaril.iner", ·which on seJI'eral occasions \Yf!S a severe cri tio

of his actions, hiL~lly praised his extensive labours as a missionary

and exp:,re,::ued Bympathy with hLrn in his illness, •.vhich had neeessit'!ited

hi3 resignin3 the charge. 'lho events ·nhich had caused him poignant

suftering we·,·o the result of his intellect, single-hearted purpose,

arid pious, self-devoted, 1•igid line of duty. ( 46)

Bishop Eobhouse IJl'eaonted a rat11er tragic figure at the end o:f'

his. episcopacy. Suffering from severe ov0r \i'IOl•k aud from. the strain

of intermi tto:lt conflict with church me,ll.bers and a. section of the public,

on. accotw:t of his oveeHhelrning but rather ntirrow-;Jtin.ded zeal, he was

On September 25th, 1867, his successor, Andrew Burn :3uter,

' arrived 1'ron,_ Englatld. He landed 'l.ri th nwny in'.nligrants and sev·eral

clergymen, the f:cevs. 'I'horpe, Yules, (later to become Bishop), .Harvey,

atid 1J~wald. s\ special thanksgiving s"'rvice ':·'tas held in Ohris'fj Church

which all the passengers attend.ed .. ~~ axtemJore sermon from the Bishop

made a good impression. (47) On October 5th, a reception to the Bishop

v.'aa held in the Provtnoial Hall. The address of •.11elcome \'laS read by

Dr .. Sealy. O.ll October 9th, the Bishop v-ros installed in the Cathedral

by the ~ev. G .H. Joili.1.stone who became curate there after the clepartu.re

of the Rev. FJ.S. 'l'urton. ( 48)

(4.5) n~,ielaon :tioco.sun. Synoda, 3ishop 1 s Ghar;5e, lf3;J4. (46) 11 ~ielson Z:lcamlner", July 12th, 1864, (47) Op. cit., 3ept. 28th, 1857. (48) . cit. Oct. 8th, 1867.

- 47 -

In 1868, the Bishop's Ghnrge roported the completion of repairs

to Christ Church and ehe rep:1yment at some heavy loans. 'l'he i' trst

bazaar in Nelson was held in ~.~arch, 1BG9, to pay off a debt. on the

church. It was a great success. Sometimes over one thousand people

vr~1ro present, and nearly .V'700 wr:w raised. It had been planned by the

ladies of the parish to pay o.Cf ·the debt on the church. The n Examiner"

remarked partiouln:r'ly on tho a.:n:azing variety· of dolls in the stalls. ( 49)

In his 1869 Charge, the Bishop mentioned tho r1ovement to secure

a new organ at Christ Church. (60) There v;a.s in 1870 a re.uewed interest

in church l!lUsic. The Bishop strossed the need 1:or a t~ull attendance

nf' the choir to enable it to l<:>ad the congregation with eff~ect in a church

constrttc·bod v.ri th naves and transepts. He hoped that the advent of a

church organ would .·t,ivr:.'l a sti:itUl\'u.s to chtu•ch m.usic. (51)

o\ t tho Uynod of 1862, it h.:.'1d been resolved to divide the parish

of Nelson iato tlw .Eusteru and .iest•~rn po.rishes. The l1ev. C.L. Maclean

was u.ppointed vicar of the iiJostern Farish. A meeting of church members

in the ciby in Liarcll, 1863 was called to draw up a reply to a circular

addre.:ls issued r!Y Bishop Hobhouse x·eque::;rt;In6 the people who had granted

;..:r. ?.~aclean u stipeud,. to state vt~h::J.t they were vlilling to contribute

t0',11arcs the r.::ainten&nce of a clergyman in the second parish, now that

College. I'arishione1''3 expressee. dissa.tiafc.ctiou that they had only a

(49) "Nelson Examiner", ~,:arch 25th, 1857. (50) 11J:~elson Diocesan Synod.", c.· Ji~lliot, ''1L-x.wninar'' Ofl':l.ce, 1869. (51) Op. cit. 1870.

... 48 ...

minor share in the selection of vicars. (52) It is tm.possible to

ascertain whether this compll?.int had any effect.

l!~or several years services were conduct0d in the Odcli'ello-vn:l' Hall,, \1 .

which had beon used 1'or ·worship by the Taranaki refU0CJOS who had settled

in ·that district. A meeting of parishionevs i::t Ootoi)er 1867 1 assembled

for the purpose of appointing a clergyman to the .'!e;otcrn district of tha

city, so that the congregation which met in the Oddfellows' Hall, mi~:_~t

have the entire services of a olereT<nBu. Hitherto, morning services only'

had been conclucted by the PI•i.ncipal of the E'oys t College who wanted to be

relieved of that duty. The 'Rev. Mr .. Thorpe was appointed to the new

pariah -with a stipend of' f300 par an.."lum, the 81::-,hop contributing one thirdt

another third being raised by· offertories. ( 5~·)

The 1'ou.ndation stone of ,\11 :3aints' was laid on June 26th, 1868,

by Bishop Sutsr, a representative gntherlng of clergy from Nelson dis·triot

being also present. The church ~as in the fo~n of the hasi~ica of early

times. Mr. Beatson being the a.rohltect. To aasist in raising funds for

the structure, the Harmonic Society gave a concert in the Provincial Hall.(54)

The Bishop bought Bow Cottage for a parsonage, 'Nhich heVt-as giving to the

parish, and providing £:300 out of c'rA50 cost. The property '\\"as conveyed to

the trustees who were appointed ·by the Synod in trust for the Pariah. (55}

On November 11th, 1868, Bishop Guter consecrated All Gaints'.

He waa assisted by the 1-?.evs. H.,J., 'Thorpe, tJ..,H. Johnstoue, VJ.D.R. Lewis,

and nev. c.o .. Mules. The building had cost ,~.:1, 178 of ','<hich .:;:171 remained

(52) "1Yelson ?:ctuniner~•, ;:,;,arch 8oth, 186:3. (53) Op. cit. Oct. 17th, 1867. (54) Cp. cit. June 2?th. 1868. (55) ''Nolson Diocesan Synodn, 1868.

- 41} -

as debt .. '111e inh<.H'ior liaS still incomplete .. (56) The Rev. J.J. 'Ihorpe

ln the nort~1ern area of Nelson towards \'J1lakap:..llllm, a movement for

a church began in 1863, when 'Mr.. Pierson ea:ve the grou.nd for st. ,'\ndrev¥' s. (57)

Itl 8eptentb0r 1864, a concert of secular music was given in the Temperance

Hall at which f-.',50 vros raised. 'l'he t'Examin~::n:tt stated .that 1 t was somewhat

nervous of expressing an opinion, bu·t 1 t spoke of a lacking of time and

tune in regard to one piece. {58)

In April 1865, Bishop Hobhouse opened Jt. tl .... "ldrev;t s, which had been

The sei"iriCe was solemnised

at ll a.m., ai'tor which the Bishop preached. a sermon.

notetl that the attendunoe was good and there was a choir .. 'I'l'w total cost

vras .£~!78-12-0 .. (59) ·rhe Rev. G.B. Johnstone, who was minister at Chdst

OhUl'ch until 13'73, was the first minister at st. }ndrew'a, taking services

Qn alternate Sunday afternoons.

st. Peter's by the Strand was built noorer the oity. On October

lat, 1874, it 'v'U~s consecrated by Bia."lop Strter. 'l'he !lev • .r .3. Crace was

the officiating minister. Also pNsent were l•l"Oho.eacon •rnorpe, Revs.

J. Leighton and J. Andrew. Bishop Suter presented three crosses, and

Mr., ]'leming of Nelson £ave the font. ThQ coat was less than £'200 .. (60)

(56) tttfolson Rxamincr", ~'ov. 12th, 1868. (57) Bishop ::ladlior' s H'otes o.n. .NOl'thel'u Sublu•ba. (58) t~Neleon E..tarniner 11 , Sept. l'lth, 1864. (59) Op .. cit., April }~9th, 1865. ( 60) Bishop dadlier 9 s f.lotes on Northern ~;ubu!'bS.

... 150 ...

On £;Jovember Gth, 1B42, r.:r. C .. L .. Rea.y hold the first servica31n the

district, about ni11ety people attending them. ~t'hey were held in John

Kerr's ba.rnt situated on the Wl'.:ti-i·ti. For a :rear this barn roHained

the reliQ;ioiJ.S as well aa the gennr•Hl social centre of. the co.tr&nunity.

John Ke:tr was a dcot.

moBt succGssfu.l i'ar.mer. ~-le was t11e firnt rflnn to put o. plough into

.Nelson soil. This notable event occurred on ;~a~r 25th, 184!3> on tho site

o:r tlle Union Dank of ,\nstrnlia in B'L1rdy 3treet, }.!olson. He represented

hia d.lstriet in the Provincial Oou.llcil from 1857 t;o 185;7,. {13)

The services in ~:r. Kerr'.'> barn :-rere hold fnh•ly regnlurly as it.

was only a short distance i'ro.m Nelson v;hor•a :sr. Reuy resided. 'l'he

corill1luni ty soon felt the need for & ohu:roh.

first clergyman at Nalaon, o:Crered a site in the centre or the plain

botwoen Dillon's und '.P<fll:er' a. 'l"b.e sum or .. :35 was raised by· subscription

amon£!: the parishio.nors, which was of course inadequate for building the

church. 'I'he Hon. Constantine Dillon, who 1N"dS a church leader as ~nell

as a leader in society. offered to lend the balance required if the

congregation would undertake the erection of the church. However,

Bishop Selwyn p•ovid.ed j//0 from the New 'Zeuland Compuny l'eS(;)rve fund for

(2) L.R .. Fulmer, :.;.:1 .• 1 '•A Gentury of Christian 'iitness'', 1843-1943, p. 13.

- 51 -

ohu:tches and from funcls raised by religious societies in 1!-:tlg1and, (:3)

which together with tho sum raised by the parishioners proved sufficient.

By November 134;5, the building 1vas CO!:lp1eted.. It resembled a

small r::n.:~lish ohnrch - <:t toner about ei,:~ht feet square rose thirty feet.

The v:indo·,w were lancet shaped, with wooden 1'rruJ~es. John .Bei t, the lea.c1er

of the German ox:pecli tion which settled i.n Lo>:'rer : :outerc, presented fl reading

desk, and ~/ir. Rea:l cave a font which was supposed to be a miniat'll'e of' 'the

one in .3t. :r:ary ;,·ae;dnlen Church, oxford. (4) ·

I5ishop >Jeb1yn f!J. id his first visit on I:'ecc:mber lOth, 11343. He

found ?Ar. !?eay and the nev. :I.l!. Butt taking ro:::;ulor. services out there.

The confp:'e:~ntion a.'JSOi~t.blod in John fCe:rr•s barn. '::rs. :zerr insisted on the

Bishop •trei::aling himself' vii th girdle cakes, fr"')sh butter and milk 11 • gu'ter

the sorvice he inspected the new ch1u•ch. ( 5)

The official opening clid not take place until Christmas Eve of 1843,

t."r. Heli.'/ conducting ·the service.. :Jt. ~.Uchael•s 1·ms the first Anglican

Church erected in the E)outh IslaXid. Tho :t'ir:;~t baptistn at ;Jt. 1~ichael' s

vras that of Hobert iialld~~she:v1, son of' ~rhomas and Ann Gardner, labourer,

\'!aimea \.'est. 'I11is took pluce before the building of the church in

December, 1842. '11he first burial was thnt of Dotty Vh1tson, wife of

James :~atson, on M.'ly 12th, 1844 .. one of tho first marriages vJas thut of

David };onro and Dinah Sc~cker.

In the first years church attendances ware good, averaging between

thirty and forty. Constantine Dillon took tho services when Ur. Reay or

(5) X.. H. Palm.er, !.f.,~., 11 !\ Century oi' Chrh'ltian .r:l.tnessn, 184:~s-l<J43, p. 14. ( 4) 11 t~olson ~~(SJninor", :Cec. ;o:..Qth, 1847). (0) Bishop .~:elwyn, "<low ;;et;tlu.:·J_(i·', i~a:Vt II, l'(3C. lOth, l84i5.

- 52 -

Mr • .Butt could not officiate .. Every Sunday afternoon Divine Service was (

held. Dillon also tried to organise a :3und.ay school, but had no stlcoesa

at :first on account of the long distance the children lk>1d to vralk. E'J

April 1844, six children aam0 to ohu:roh on Sunday afternoon f'or religious

instruction. 'l'hrough the forties and t :e fifties 't:aimea ~'lost rt:w'l.:tined

the most populous centre of the :··aimaas ..

Until· 1855 the resident minister in :Nelson preached to thrJ country

cone;re;_;~1tions as well. Captain ~,rancis Dlund.ell, who .•·m.s to become the

t<ain stay of St. ~.:ichael' s ai'ter Dillon's death, arrived i"rorn India with

his i'amily in the fifties. On October lOth, 1855, he presided at a

meet1.t10 ·to raise a. fund for the support of e. resident clergyman fol" the

·;'lakefield, 3p:dru~-Grovo and '";·aimen .. :eat districts. (6)

By December 1855, '·;aimea l.J€l8t and ·:xaitnmJ :south hB.d eonsti tuted

themselves a parioh. Three fifths of the annual stipend of the minister

w<Js to be raised by the residents of the r1.1strict, ::1ncl two i'ii'tlla to be

paid :from the Church Endowment .fund.(?)

'The con:3reeation of .::5'1:;. r.·tchael' s met on Jan•)ary 7th, 1855 1 to

It was resolved. that the pariah be called

The Rev. 'Ihom~:~.s A. Bowden, B. A., a man of considerable ·~alents,

w;J.s the first minister or the combined dia·briots. He Tras the aon of a

London solicitor and a. graduate o:t t:ragdnlen College, Oxford. Bofore beiiLZ

appointed resident minister, ha had reaid.ed in the '.'outere for several

months.

(6) Palmer, op. cit., pp. 16-W. (?) ''Nelson Examiner'1 , rea. 8th, 1855.

- 53 -

The· ChUl•ch of st .. Paul's \vas being built at :Srightwater when he arriv~ttd.

In 1850, he was ·a.?pointed seeretary to Bishop Hobhouse, and next year he was

pl~oed in charge of Bishop's school on its reopening. l\Jr.. Bowden was

succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Poole, M .. A .. , who made Walref'ield his headquarters.

li'or three years he was minister to Waimea ',{eat and 1Haimea. South, giving a

se:rvioe at St~ r/iohael' s monthly.

Pews were rented at five shillinas per annma. Towards the end

of the fifties church attendances dwindled, and in 1859 only :i:3o was

collected; the reason alleged vros the infrequency of the clergyman's

attendance on Sundays. lAr. Poole contrived to incroase his visits to

once a fortnight on Sunday afternoons.

By this time tile oh~oh h.:?.d become delapidated and the tower

cond~Anned as unsare. Captain BltL'1cloll and the church:uardens succeeded

in raising funds and the necessary repairs were completed in a few weeks.

In 1859 Waimea IJiT, sent its first representative to tho Nelson Synods

'l'llree years later a harmonium 'nas installed at the cost of il,9-0-6, one

of the ~nediate effects being the displacing ot the most prominent

parishioner, Mr .. Nathaniel Oeol'ge Y,orse. one of the first squatters in

the Wairau, from his accustomed pew.

In 1863, the Rev. R .. H .. Codrington, ~vho had come to Brightwater 1n

1862, lett the district. Apparently he did not take any pay, aud devoted

his stipend to the use ot the pa~iah, because the congregation expressed

their appreciation of his gratuitous services .. A.n. assistant minister

was now ra(lUired, and the Rev. ;\.\':,. Bird undertook to assist the

Rev.. s. Poole a. t ~.~akefield. Services. v!ere now conducted by a minister

-54-

three ·times a. month at .st. Licheel•a.

~,·rr. Codrington 'J'J8.S follow!)d by the Rev. Francis 'I'ripp in 1864.

T'.ao rent of seats was increased to 10/- :per annum, and regulations for

laying out tha churchyard CO.!J.Sidered.

'I'wo years later it was considered neeessary to b1.tild a nevr church.

,r:., build.ing COJfl.mittee ·with ~.:r. Mo1•sa as chairman and Dr. 1\'onro B.s treasurer

vma elected.

Bishop Hobhouse, who ro'tired in 1885, promisod to give•his

successor (bishop Suter} ·the intores·t on ,;2.800 to secure better ministerial

services for the district. Bishop lfobhouse also offered to pay f8001f

an equal sum could be provided by the }1:nd0'.7ment :Tund for the maintennn.ca

o.r a principal clergyman in ·tho ·::uimea, :rith the status of ,~,rohder.eon.

The Christian 1Cl101Nlcdge ;;Jocioty also offered (50 for the buildin,g of a

church. Neither o.f these promises was fuli'illed, Bishop Hobhouae handing

over the r~:oney ·to Bt.:;hop 3u·tor without maldn:s any reference to Waimea ''Jest.

'.lhomas Brunner presented plans for the nw:r church at a meeting

of the build.i!lG committee in 1865. In June t tenders vrera culled and

Mr._ IIastilowts offer of /'380 was accepted. 021 the suggestion of Dr. !::onro

the church was built a~ a memorial to Captain Blundell. 'rhe i'ound.ation.

stone. laid on november 24,th, 1866, bHars the following:-

"For fourteen years, h~ (Captain .alundell) lived in the neiq,.;'lbour­hood of this clluroh and laboured us a faithful follower of Ch1•ist, pf~rforming services in the church in the absence of an ordained olereyrnan. ln all the relations of l:l.:f'e distinguished by the charities and virtues of a sincere Gh.ristian.n

- 55 -

Bishop Selwyn conducted the service. Mrs. Blundell laid the stone.

and Rev. A. 'l'ov;rgood vr.aa tho officiating minister. Following the ceremony

vms a tea-party open to the ohilclren. of all the district.

The old church was moved to the site ot' the new one and vras for

many years used as a sunday school conducted by Mrs. and Miss Blundell.

'I'he building was said to have met its end in a gale. (8)

On November 13th, 1867, Bishop Sutert who had arrtved 1n Nelson

t1110 months before, consecrated st. ;::;ichael's. Ha was accompanie(l by the

Revs. l'J.H. 1'\'18.ld. (Bishop's chaplain) T.L. 'l'udor, :V'. 'I':r1pp, A. To·Hgood,

o.o. Mules and c. 'Hloi•pe .. '.!he Bish,)p and. Clergy entered by the north

and walked in procession :round the church reading tho 24th !Jsa.lm.

'J.'.he Bishop si[:ined the doeu of consecration .. Bishop Hobhouse seLtt

out a ca.rvod oaken font f'rom Bni;land, the ladies of the parish gave e.

Glastonbury chair which was carved by H. !:I .. Codrington, Er. Towgood gave a.

red carpet for the chancel, ~md four ladies m.e.de a crimson altm• cloth

and two kneelers in berlin work:. (9)

In f;ecember 1867, r:r. TOi!l@:OOd :resignee!. and in the .following year

the Rev.. C. 0. r.'ulos 1ms appointed. He resided at Brightvre.ter. Before

coming to Nevr Zealand, he was mathematics master at New College, Oxford ..

He than took: Holy Ord.ers. Ill health caused him to seek recovery in

New zealand, so he joitled Bishop Suter's party.

From 1868 to 1892 he was linked with ;1t. I/iohael's and St. Paul's.

(8) n:~.lmer, op .. cit., .PP• 22-~30. (9) "Nelson Examiner": Dec. 5th 1 1867.

- 56 -

ne can be rer;tomberod by people in this district even to this day ..

He was an inspiration to his parishioners and left a lastins~ impression

on their hearts .. He married Captain Blundell's daughter, Laura. In 1880,

11~;~ becama J\rohdeucon of the Wa.imeas, and in 1892 he was to become third

Bishop of Nelson. (10)

On Sunday October 11th, 1846, a neat; church lately erected. at

The building was as ye·t incomplete.

11'lhe E:x:r:ufliner~r reported that it was an orna:non tal structure with heE:tvy

to·tm•a but tresses, stnndill(s in a comm::u1tUn:g posi t:ton on the slope of' a hill.

'l'he ~·;ork was ably executed tlG.der the supel'Vision of ~,~.r .. L~'ligan·t, ·who ovm(~d.

o t>aw-rn:l.ll, according to a pl~c~n prepared by the Hev. C.L. t:?eay who carved

the readin,3 desk. 'I'here rn.w a numerous con.::;rc&;t'ttion. (11) 'l'his is ·the

only church built in :•tr. Heay' s time vrhich still str.nds and is a memorial

In the autumn of 1848, on .his tour of' Nelson, Bishop SfiJlwyn

visited Wakefield. He doaoribed his visit thus:-

"The li,gh ts from the Chapel windo\'rs guided me through the twtlight to the rising ~moll on Yfhich the buildin,g atancls and at tho foot or which the oongre,-~ation assembled to await my arrival."

Bishop Selvryn considered that the simplicity of' a colonial village

like Wuke:t'ield would be more .favourable to the growth of. the church than

tho tovms awhere the train of x•ight feeline; is often suspended by party

(10) 1m "'it ·:~~> '•'0 Fa er, op. ... • ~ P.P• ""·:--...• (11} ''~lelaon :t~~aminer 11 , oct. 24th, 1845.

- 57 -

rivalry and prejudice .. "

He reported that a church schcol had been opened at Wakefield

and that the villagers were desirous of establishing a village boarding-

school because the badness ot tha roads and the dispersion ot the houses

made this necessary. I!e was pleased to note that the visiting clergyman

•~a hospitably entertained there, that his advice was foll~aed, and that

the children sought hit!l for instruction. There ·was a state of. contentment

eve1•y-where; the milch OO\IfB were in fine condition, and the suspension of

tho Company's payments had causecl the settlers to exert themselves. (12)

Until 1855 the clergy at 'Nelson, ur .. and later Mr. Butt, took

l'egular services at Wakefield. In October of ·that year Captain Blundell

called a meeting to raise funds for the maintenance of a resident clere;yman

in the lNaimea /test and :iairnea :3outh districts. A 1110nth later these two

districts became a parish. { Mr •. T.A. .. Dowden became the first resident minister

of the oombined parishes from 185G to 1857.

In 1858 the Hev. Samuel Poole became minister of this parish,

residing at Wakefield, and conducting services at Brightwater and. Waimea

His task was somewhat reduced in 1862 when the Rev ..

R.H. Codrington carne to minister to Waitnea Heat and Brightwater, Mr .. Poole

still having the cure oi.' 'Hakei"ield. and :i''oxl11ll.

In 1861 services were held every Sundny evening at st. John's and

monthly on Sunday mornings. The Foxhill schoolroom was used for services

which vtere held fortnightly. Mr. Poole evidently was somewhat hampered

( 12) Bishop 3ehiyn, o.P• cit., Pnr·t V. April 16th, 1848. ( 1~~-) See ( 6 } •

... 58 -

by a considel.'able aJ!lount of dru.nken.ness even amongst the women, antl in.fidelity

to the church which was on the increase. (l~l) In that year the church was

repaired.

In 186:3 nto.n·t;hly services :rero co.\'ld.ucted at Upll6l" ;;;akefield. school-

roora, and J.;:r. 'l'rav~n's' house in :E:i5;:itty-eit::::ht 1Jalley, an.c1 at .U'oxhill school-

room on Junday evanirv~s. ( 15)

•\ yes.r later the Dov. ;rran.cis 'l'ripp succeeded to fJir .. Foole. In a

letter to Bishop :'Jutor, he repor·ted there were fonr church schools at

ITe also rttentioned

a church nt otuelm v·ullcy 'f>J:ltch CaJ:'o Hi thin his Ct.tro. ( 1:3} 'rhe Bishop 1 s

cllar~:::e to the syn.oc"!. in 1868 recorded that scrYiceo at ::;t • .Toh.n t L'J were

apeclal p't'\?Vision :tor tlw chilcJ.rene ':rhere was now no resident clor,~yr~an

at ;ak:ei'ield, ~ir. 'I'ripp lmvi.n:;-;; resizr1ed.

In 1869, the .3isllop's Charge re,ported that the i'fnkefield cure was

still vacant, the ::!':lV. c.o. :.:.ules to.ldnc; o':Jrvioes ·Hherever he could, and

'h> v'iell as ., .·akoJ:'ield, Jl'oxh1ll, Upper

"iakefield and ?Jotueka Valley 'and the new gold-field Ht ':angapeica, ougllt

to have resident clergymen. (17)

In April 1869, i't ·was discovered thnt bre<1Ches of the itarriage 1\ct,

1854) and Hegist1•ation :\ct, 1859, had been aom:nitted by '•i'r. 1'ripp when

mi1iister at '.'fakefield. He had married the various couples without

ini'orming the Hei1:1strart s 0f1'ice, and without the production of the

( 14} Visi'l>a:tion ~~ueries, Diocese of l1elson~ lB6l. (lD) Op. cit. 1863. (lG) Letter of Rev •. ~". '.l'ri~JP to 3iahop Juter, oct. 27ircl, 1867. (1'7) 11 J:.falson Diocosa!l .J;rnoc1"t l'}oB-69. o. Elliot, 11 I::Xa·linel''1 Office.

- 59 -

Registra~'s certificate. However, the absence of certifieates did not

invalidate the marriages, but t1ers wa:J a suggestion that an :\ct V!:!lidating

these marriages should be p:it'Jsed iu Farlhuaent. 'l'his Act ·;rould be of a

co:nprehensive charactl'lr cx·!;endirl:'; the provisions of the Act ot' 1858. (JB)

'l'h.o church, ·:ihich had bt:H:m incr::Jasec1 in size ir. Hl65, ha<l ·to be

a~ain enlarsed in 1869. f, harmonium. v.r::u?J presented by ::;1.'. Sellon, and a

f'ont by. t\rs. :ules in 1874.

In 1<370, a vestry ·,1as bu.ilt, tlL:J tlma 0.11d lab(.lUr bei1J.;.!; contributed

by the congl'ISJ£;3. tio.n. .i:'our .•te't~·s luter .akef'ield had a resident clergyman

in ;:,ep'l';embor and the p:t<occeds of' the ti;.)D \H::J.'0 devoted to the building ftmd

of the ne•!J vicarage. ( 19)

rniles in, throe dif fo·cont directions. It ;;Jent up lone; narrow valleys

Ill 10'75, services were held once a quarter

in the Church of tho Ascension, :. otueka Valley. ~.rr. Y:oon oomp1nined of

drunkenness and 1'ornieat1on and the lack or godly la.)r,nen. ( 20)

Information about ;.;t. Paul's is -very scanty beeB.use ·the Vi41arage,

with all the local records, vra;;; bu.rnt sGnreral years ago.

(18)

(19) ( 20).

On Augue'G 9th, 185'7, St. Paul's 'll'tas npened. The Rev. T.A. Bowden,

Le·~·ter ()f' '.tr. R. Pickett to ~lo;:;is trar of' uL·tlw, :roa tho and ::arriages, Ap:dl 2::ird, 1869, and letter of :3ir ··avid ':onro to Bishop ":;uter, Juna1~4~h IHshop .3adlier~ .::ermon in ,b .. John's -·akof'ield, June 5th, 1913. -6 • Visitation -~.ucries, 1.'375.

... 60 -

when he became minister o:r the combined districts of Waimea South and

Waimea. West, took up his residence in Bright\l'mtar. As the history of

St.. Paul' a and. s·t. Michael's is linked together because they were in the

charge ot the same clergyman, this account will be limited to a mere

summary.

In 1858 tho Rev. s. Poole became minister at Wakefield, taking

services also at Brigh.twater and 1Haimea West. 'Four years later

Mr. Codrington arrived to taka the cure of Wai111eu .·~est and Brightwa ter

for one ;,'ear. 8ervioes were held at st, F.'a.ul's every Sunday by 1863.

On 2,'r. Codrington's departure, the Rev. '.rilliwn Bird '.'ras appointed

to be assistant to the He\f. s. Poole, who was ministering at :•:akefield.

He resided at Brightwater. In 1868 the Rev. o.o. Mules arrived to ta.k:e

the cure of .Brightwa tar and '!Jaime a Wast. Mr. :Mules also had to minister

to 'Vakefield after the nev. ]'ranois Tripp resigned.

In 1875 the Visitation Queries reported drunkenness at Dr1ghtv~ter

as a great hindrance to godliness. The Rev. Ob.arles Moon who answered

these Queries, suggested the raa130n for this was that there vrex·e two

public houses very close to one auother. Eie recommended that one of the

houses be shut and the children trained to dispense with a~olio liquors.

He also expressed a. desire to have meetings of the clergy of the Waimeas

:for social prayer, conferences, and reading the word of God, to act in a

reflex manner in removing hindrances to godliness in the community.

HoLY 1.rRINITY cuu-ooH, RiqHMOND

In December 1853, a public meeti.ng vms held in the • 1!Tesleyan charl<'l

- OJ. -

at Ricrl.lllond to consider the means to be adopted for the erection of a

building to be used as a church and school-room for the members o.r the

Church of England.

The Rev. H.Jf. BUtt headed the building com.mi ttee, of which

Messrs. Hullel', Lyne and Lo11per were members.

At another meeting in January 1854, it vms pointed out that the

sum raised in tho neighbourhood was insufficient to erect the building

which had been originally planned. 'I'he committee was tllen empowerecl to

draw up plans tor a building to cost £~20. (21)

The first minister in RiCh!p.ond WtlS Mr .. H.JJ'. Butt. In 1858

Nl~. Poole became the officiating minister in the 1.·raimeas, taking services

also at RicQ~ond.

'l'he members of' the church at Richmond formed thomsel ves into the

parish of Holy 'l'rinity Churoh, at a meeting in Decamber 1855. 'I'he need

1'or churchwardens was also emphasised. as the minister could not efficiently

fulfil his functions without lay assistance.

Mr. J .,!/!. Saxton and ~{r .. Barnicoat '.!Tare the first churolrwardens. ( 22)

The Archdeaconry Board urged the buildints of a parsonage in the following

year to encourage a minister to reside there.

Richmond was represented on the synod in 1859 by Mr. Barniooat.

• Services were now held once every Sunday, sometimes once and sometimes

'tl.'fioo a month by a lay reader. Bishop Hobhouae lent the church a chalice

(21) "Nelson Examiner", Dec. 24th and Jan 7th, 1853-54. (22) Op. cit., Dec. lst, 1855.

- 62 -

and silver .ra ten in 1860 .. 'I'he Rev. R.H. Cod_rington, vrho came to

Brightvmter in 1861 took services at Richmond. In 1865, Holy Trinity

Church received a bell from Bishop Robhouse and a grant from the Ollristian

Knowledge society, v1i th wliioh a parsonage \vas built. ~~e follo~nng year

it received its first resident minister in the person of Rev. 'J.D .R. Lev11s. {23)

In 1867 • 1Uchmond had a Sunday school. Ita temporary church vroa

as yet 1m cons a era ted. The Ranzau people who had been attending services

in the scl10olroom in that diErllrict were now to take advantage of an

afternoon service at Hol.y Trinity on Sundays, this arrangement enabling

them to hnve a fortnightly sorvice.

~;~r. V.mis complained of unsatisfactory church attendance. Of'

four lumdred and fifty professing church people in the (Hstrict, only

ninety-five reguh1rly attended Divine -:rorshlp .. He suggested that Holy

Communion be more frequently celebrated and that a Church Association of

lay communicants be formGd for the promotion of attenc1ance, and the habitual

use of family. social ond private prayer. Earnest layman should be

invited to serve as readers and steps be taken to bind young men in closer

communication with the Church by providing them with reading rooms, f'orm.ing

a Church Institute, and by offering them uinnocent amusements'•. {24)

In the 1868 session of' the General Synod, Bishop Suter expressed the

opinion that ·the situation of the Richmond church was inconvenient and he

hoped there would now be a movement for the erection of a building in a

more accessible place. ~~is synod gave penniaaion to exchange part section

(23) Uiahop Sadlier, Sermon on Diamond .rubilee of Richmond, Oct. 4th, 1921. {24) Rev. ''i .. D.R. Lowis, Letter to Bishop Suter• Oct. 23rd. 1867.

- 63 -

'l'ha latter asetion was orie;innlly cnmed by Haney Aglionby, who sold it to

J·ohn and •,'!illirun ~1utton.

vr .. :Lei:-ris le·ft tor ~:estport in 1870.

Rev. w. D. t:tus z * who was personally supervised by the )Jiahop a inca he wu:a

his assistant curate. (Z5)

On october 9th, 1871, tho fou.nd<'Ation stone of the new chu.t'Ch was

l~id by the Biallop of' Eolson.

w1 th a p~per contuininS the consent or the trttstaes to the ereotion of the

building. Coins and :;e.pers were put into a bottle under the stone.

A meeti110 or thoae interested 1n the buildini~ of the ohtll'oh was

held in the .'\gricultnrt:tl f!a1l. It wall announced that S'.500 'M-ould be needed

fo:t~ the building. Archdeacon Butt, tho Hevs. c.o. ~ru.les, H. ll"lavell,

R.n. Gaskin and 'N.n. Husz deliverecl addl'0SilH~s at tllia meeting. (26}

Mr .. Bcmtson was the architect of the nt'm church.. On July !31st,

18'72, 1 t waa eons<'"JCrated by tho Bishop and other olel~tzy from the d istriot

'l'he tollowirtg year Revs. Henry Ruth.erford av.rl :r. Spear

ministered to ·the parish. ~rom 18'78 1t was vacant for three years. {2?)

services bagrut in Stoke in the fifties. Bishop liobi;OU{Ja viai ted

the Anglioena there in Jtme. 1859, and held a aet'Vioe in the school-room. ..

(25) H:J.shop Saldler, &er1aon, Oct. (ltll, 1921. (26) ''r·l(~lson I~aminor", Oct. 11th, 1871. (27) Dighop J.adlier, 3E.lrmon, oct. •l:tll. liJBL

- 64 -

His discourse vras delivered in a quiet and earnest manner. After the

service, a meeting was hold to confer w1 th the Biahop on the question of

building a church. Mr. :'Jillia.m Beatson had ot'ficiated for the last six

years in Stoke, and the inhabitants, feeling that the erection of a new

church would dispense with his services, were reluctant to subscribe the

necessary amount. Finally 1 t was agreed ·that 1 t was desirable for a

church to be built there, whose affairs would be administered from Nelson.(28)

In lfarch 1862, the parishioners applied for a building grant. The

nwnber of.' church members was approximately one h1.mdred and sixty, and one

hundred worshippers required accommodation. The schoolroom was then tho

only building available. In July, the laying out of the church-yard was

begun. ( :39) In April 1863, the building cocr,mi ttee met and decided on the

reduction of the cost by _(-.:200. ·rllis meant the omission of the bell turret,

the veotry porch, and interior furnishings. l'he coaunittee was strongly

opposed to a free-seated church. It was even s~3gastod that those who

did not pay rent for their seats should be debarred adlnlssion. ( 30-)

However, this never came into f'orce.

Bishop Hobhouse hid the cornerstone of the Church at Stoke on

.ra.nuary 27th, 1864, w·ith a consid<nable gathering of people,attending the

ceremony. In an address the Bishop mentioned that the land had been given

by Mr. Marsden and praised ~!!'. Beatson who had gratuitously conducted

services in the village. Stoke 'IKlS named af·tar the village, Stoke-by-Nayland

in Suffolk. :r::'le parishioners of the village ~1toke in England hnd made

(28) ,,-J:!elson F.xa.rniner", July 6th, 1859. ( 29) Correspondonco re Ghuroh at ~:;toke in files of Diocesan Office •• (30) ~.rr. Beatson, letter to Bishop Hobhouse, I·lay 24th, 1863.

- 65 -

a. libaral contribution to the church in stok:e in New zealand, lf,r. L1nguard

and e. choir of' boys enhanced the servlce 1;1i th -~heir singine. Under tlie

cornerstone were laid a bottle containing coins, a prograrrulH:l of' the

ceremony, and copies of the Nelson ne'ltspapers .. (51)

Stoke had 'the services or the Hev. Pf.H. Eivald, the assistant

ourata at the Cathedral until 1868. .t\:t'ter that, the Bishop and a lay

reader ministered at St. Barnabas•$. The 1875 Visitation Q,ueries show

that another clergyman,, the Rev. J.P. Kempthorne, was curate at Stoke.

The church had been conaocrated on November lOth, 1870.. An Anglican

SWlday school had also been established by that date. Hitherto, the

residents had been content to send their children to the Vlesleya..'t Sunday

school.

c<•T n TB 1 ~?.,If ~ np1 '!l'"Y .._) • l'I.I.J. 1\.t:J::::l ! .n..r. • 't . ...U

By the e:nd of the fii'ties aorvices were conducted by Mr .. John

Ayers in the Northern schoolroom near the site ot the present church. (a2)

In 1861 Mr. Codrington began taking regular serviaea there.

When the congregation was astted to elect a synodsman in 1864, there was

no response. The Rev. W .. D.R. Le>t.ris \res the first resident minister at

Richmond. It was during his iacurnbO.Itcy thc:<t St .. Alba!is >~ro.s built. (33)

on April 16th, 185'1, a meeting of .1nem.bers of the Chul'Oh or England

wa.s held in the schoolroom at Appleby. Mr .. Chamberlain proposed that

the time had now come for the"more reverent conducting of tlle seriicas

o'f the church" .. t,;r. Charles Best moved that a church be built and his

(31) . (32)

( 33)

'tl,~olson F.:x:nminer 11 , Jan. 30th, 1864. L.R. ~lmer, op. cit., p. 23 • 11Diocesan Gazette'', I/:ay 1st 1928, Diamond JUbilee of St. Albans'

Appleby.

- tib -

brother moved that a building committee should be appointed .. (:::A)

In .November 186'7, Bishop Suter opened st. Alb ails. .Present with

the Bishop were the Revs. N.D.R. Lewis, :e.L. Tudor, c.o .. Mules, A. Towgood

and w. :EJtruld. The B:isb.op gave a plain and oar nest address, with 9.11

interes·tfng account of' st. Alban .. (j5}

The chUTch v.as dadieated on Ascension ray, (:rrarch 25th) 1868. Vis! tors

front town were p:r·evented by bad weather from :'leing present, but the Anglicans

of Appleby turned out in large nu.!nbera and. filled tho seats. The Bishop

performed the ceremony assisted by the Rev. :r;. D. R. Lewis. 'fhe building was

not .ye·t; finished, but ncconntoda.tion for the worshippers had to be found.

on completion, the church would be conaacrated. (36) Gifts of a candlestick

from the Rav. •:t. ·Hills and a. font from YJ:. Towgood were .made at the time of'

the dedication.

) T'n.e November 28th '•E:xruniner" recorded that St. Albans Church had

cost over {400. :)r. w. Higgins of Waimea .\rest had designed it. The

interior lli1.d bean carefully furnished. The chancel and nave of the building

had been conmloted but the tower was still lacking. n1c alter ~res of massiv1

timber coverred with rich cloth.. A candle corona of eight ligb:lis was

suspe11.dad from the chancel arch. The congregation had p1•esen.ted E< carved

al t.."ll" deskt a (}lastonbury ohair, and a carpat of blue and gold.

The congecration of St. AJ.lJan's was celebrated on Kovemben~ 30th, 1861

The oongrogati'on wo..s so large that a tout had to be erected for the ohildre.n

the doors beil4r; wide open to enable them to see the service. 'I'h.e grounds

(3·:.1:) 11Uelsou Q(amine.r", M!:IY 4th, 186'7. (36) op. cit., Hov. 14th, 1867. (36) Up. oit., ~arch 28th, 1858.

- 67 -

w·ere gaily ·decorated with floral arches and flags. The Bishop and clergy

:f'Ol'Illad a. procession from the solloolroom to the Churoh .. 'rhe Rev.. iii. D .. R.. Le-«is

presented the petition for consecration at the choral service.

present were the Revs .. D.rr .. Johnstone and c.o. Mu.les.

other clergy

,'\ftor the ceremony "a cold eollationn was provided in a large booth

in an aO.jaoent paddock, the Bishop proposing the toasts. At 4.30 p.m. the

children and visitors had a tea. At 7 p • .m. the Bishop and clergy again

formed a procession into the chtrrch and the J':Vening Service followed. ( 37)

- 68 -

CHAPTER 4

FITSTORY OF 1ffiE OIIORCH n~ TUE MOTUEKA DISTRICT

The date of the first Anglican services in Motueka is unkn~nn

but it waa some time in the yaar 1840. The nev. o .. Hadi'teld apparently

visited ,'.'cotnekn • but there is no existing reoord or that because he burned

his lat·ters and diaries before he died. (1)

Bishop Selwyn c-rossed 'I'asxnan Bay to :·~otuek:a, whilst on his first visit

to the Nelson district on Aueust 24th, 1842 .. He n:.iniaterd to ·hhe natives

on the 24th and to the ·&.'uropean.s on the follovd.ng day. The F~glish settlers

proposed to build a fort in the villago, to be used primarily_ ns a placo of

rai'uge and secondarily as a church .. 'l'he Bishop was not in favour of this

su.gge::rtion and advocated that a church should be built which if danger

tlu--oo.te:ued would becarr.Htdefensible post. (2)

?J:t:>,. C .. L. Heay, whom Bishop Sel;qn had appointed olai'i1:31llftn for the

Nelson district, visited uotueka. i'requou.tly. :\fter the r/airau tragedy,

Dr. J.D. GreenV>rood and his thr!Qe .sons a.I'ri ved in Motuaka. They built a.

small house in which the sitting-room \~as used by the Motueka Anglicans

for worship. Lata:r, Mr. Thomas Atkins' barn in High Stre~t became tne

religious centre of the oonunu.ni ty ..

(1) Hev .. C#.A.. Crossman's sermon at st. Thomas' Church, ~:otualm. Jan. 193~~. {2) 1'New Zealand'', ?art Y, pp. 49-51. Bishop Selwyn's Visitation .Journal.

... 69 -

Captain F.dward li'earon fY:lVe halt an acre in Thorp Street as a site

f:or a church and oemett.lry,. where the old church burial c;round now is ..

In those days Thorp street was the main thoroughfare in Motueka. The

first church was built of npugge•• or t'ltil'rued clay .. During ~1e erection of

on being told by Mrs .. Grc,enwood

that aha ·thought it would be a credit to thea, Hr. li'et'tY replied, «That.

Ahd811l, will depend on hOVJ we till it 111 11le vr1.c<.lls had been finished, the

fra.mes of the doors and windovts inserted, and the roof timbers placed in

position, when a heaVY rain washed do'!1n the unprotected ;mlls. Nothing

daunted, the settlers built a 1i ttle wooden church v;hioh was opened on

April loth, 184.8. It stood unt iJ. 1.860, ·,crhcn it mw moved to its preseut

site. { ::>) 'Ihe font of the chu.rch i'fG<s T.ado frot11 "" piece of the teak mast

of the wreol{od n~1'ifeshire". ( 4)

In 1848, Bishop ~:>elwyn pa i<l a second visit to Uotuekn. He 1\l"dB

erati:f'ied to observe €'Seat improvements - a neat wooden chapel and a village

~:;u.nday school oi· twenty or thirty children. 'rhree years of peace .and

con.fiden.ae w'i th the nati vas had proved the vri.sdom o:f llia suggestion that

a church instead of a tort should be built.

Besirloa the JJ;nglish \!ongregation., he f:1und a large native one

including the chief, Apirruna. Ha foun<l ·the .nativef3 ~'with a thin varnish

of :~t;nglish mrumers" • trying to be civilised~ (5)

'l~le Rev .. 1' .L. 'l'uclor, who hs.cl mffercd severe illness in Auckland,

®rna to Motuekn to rMu11era te. ( 6) Defore !.'1•.. '1?u<7.or' s er:ri val. Dr.. Green-

wood had started a surdny-Dchool in the chu:roh. A settler named Allan,

(5) Letter of ~Ar. F.D. Greenvvood to nov. J. Vospor. "li'eb. 17th, 1914. (•1) Bishop ~:adl1er told nev. O.A. Crossman this; any other inf'om.ation (5) Bishop ~3elvJYn, op. cit., Part V, PP• 49-51. mlknovm. (G) -.ishop ::'.ebnn, op • .:;H., Fnrt 1J, p. 5:;,.

- 70 -

who had been a glass-cutter at Birmi.ngh.,."'UU't, was eD.g~aged as a teacher, the

churoh being used as a school-I•oo.m. ( •1)

Dr. Greenwood's son, John, wllo was attending St. Joh.ii's College,

Auokla.nd, was nursed by Bishop Sebzyn througl1 a severe illness. In grat1tut1e

the dootor gave the Bishop a block of land on Part Section 154. It was

given absolutely to Bishor ~3ob;yn for "religious and. cha.ri table _purposes 1•,

on September 6th, 1851..

One acre was Yested in pr1.vate trustees by Dr .. Greenwood in. December,

1853, ,..,in trLwt ns a site f'or a school for educating in the principles of

the Church of' England, children or persons residing in the Nelson Provin.oe. 1'

In March 18130, .Bishop Sehryn intimated to the trustees that the ~fo·tueka

trust should be 1wed. as a site for t-"1. church unit parsonac;e house and. for a

house for a school ... rnaster, being a member of' the Church of ·~rngla.nrl.. On the

sarne data the remainder of Part ;;action 154 was conveyed to the Nelson

Diocesan Trust ".for the use and be.ne.f'i t ot' the Diocese of nelson generra1ly."

Mr. Tudor, who had be<:J.~ a:Jpointed curut~ of ~·i>otuela;l, i.n 1851, (B)

was a fair Maori scholar and kopt a no.tive boardintr. school .. 'l"ho nntivel!>

held him in great respect. (9)

By 18!56 ~:.Totueka 11m.s a. tloul·ishing fanning settlement. Steamers

were coming to the port tor pl'Oduce for Australian markets. A Hotel and

a store were other sigiW of otvilisation. FJ this time the native school

had been well csteblishod, thanks to the teaching of Mr. TUdor, the ~~oria

(7) Mr. ]'.D .. Greenwood's Letter.: ( 8) ''History of .?art Scc·Hon 154; ;:otuaka<'~. Notes of ln ta Bishop Sadlier,

( Dlsho ;y of i"i.llso.u 1912-~.')b. ) (9) Mr., F .. D. Gro\>Awoodts Letter.

... 71 -

raoeiving i.nctustrial and religious training. (10)

:\lfr., J .c. Ba.e;ahu.wo of: Braz.enom1 Coll(le;e and. fil•st heac1maater of

lielson Boys t CoJ.la,za • SllCCE>eded Mr. Tudor in 1060- kotuek-a. was becoming

m.o:re popl.llous, increasing numbero l!!ettline; in HiGh Street. Thus tho church

lost ita central position and it b~camc necessary to move ito site.

The Archdeaconry Board g,:ranted two acres e.a a site for a church and

a puraon.a.ge. and li<.:~n acres Eta a "glebe ot occupation". Captain Foa:ron as

ohtl'I:'Ch\·m:ru.E>n. took a most zealous and 1 iberal interest in the work. Mr. J"umes

nobin.scn tool;: the cr.mtract; tile chm•ch wan noved to the other e.ite, extended

at the vJast end, and two por•ohes ar.CI. n vestry ln.lilt. A foH years later the

chancel wo.s bull t .. 'l:b.o c:ongrega tion incronsnd a.n.d p;;':Js. vrero let at J'.l per

sitting, so the debt was quickly p!).id off. (ll)

Samu.el :rool6t, 1-'tho h"ld be em minister in the •rc.itneas • was h.ia successor.

His mJnistl'Y lasted for 'lih.irty ye(1l'3 - ~~o lon;z:. that local wits dubbed him

Bishop Selwyn had visited this dLJtri ct in 1842, \IT hen there vtere

only a few surveyors' huts situated there. In 1048, on his second visit,

he .found an w..sa.tisf'aotory state o:r affairs. :!'here ·was discontent with

tb.e abaen.tee propri.Ed;ors; th ... ~ \1hurcb. at ?:.c•tueka. had not erec·tad a chapel;

a1.1d the Mhoolmaster was i!lefficient .. 'Lb.is had set the local inhabitants

( 10) 11 A V'isi t to ,\:otnekll in l£156" t '10hurch F:ecora0:r11

, J1.me 1~96. (ll) Bish-op GarJ.lier, op. o.it.

- 72 -

against the Church and had interrupted pastoral visits and the holding of

Divine Service. .:::·ron Diaho·:; :3e.lwyn could nt.)t obt;ain a congre~<rbion there. (12}

J!."Vidently services were conducrted regul~lr1y at Riwaka :tn 1855• for a

writer described the pa triurch o.t~ the village loading the chattti.ng. ( 13)

On l!.Iay 2:_srd, 185:~, the Rev. 1-J.l". Butt set apa1•t one aere oi' la.uc1 in Riwaka

f'or a church, p.:1rson::r.:;e r.cnso, end e. school. It was vested in local trustees.

'I'his district 'NEW first discovered by white men in 1841. when a

ship 1 s boat from Ca.:~tain ~'lakofit'lld's expeditio11 penetrated ~\felve miles up

the ;, crtuoka :d Vel', t.lle .mouth ot the b 1g Pokoro:r:o Stream being the highest

point reached .. J.'h·n n::trno 11 ~rf~atimoti 11 was the consequence or the discovery

'l'he earliest settlers came in

the si~tiea to Orinoco. They were Oowers, Gou.lstones and Jellicoes, and

the first store and post office v:ms kept by Geor~e nnd Honry Yol.l.llg, but

these people had lett by the seventies.

l'h.er·e was n strong religious f'eelin,..~ amongst the settlers of

Ngatimoti. In 1.874 the Plymouth Breth:ren and the Anglicans co.mmenaed

services in Janm\ry, tho two sects being vary friendly and co-operative.

For 1nany y<>e.N! Ngatlmo'ti q.ros part of !:Jt .. Thomaa'Jfurish. A 11Wl!lber

from Nga.till:oti >w's eleeted to rapresltlnt the district on: ·!;he vestry at

{12) 11 T:dshop :':;ebryX1 11 , op. cit., Part V, pp. 48-51. (13) >tChurch Recorder'', op. cit., Aug. 1896. (1<::) S:::<trnot of. r:eed. of l=tl.rt ~-'action 30 - Hiwaka.

- 73 -

st. Thomas• in 1864, 1!r •. R. Sutolif:fe assuming that office. The Rev.

~'!illiam Ronaldson of Whakarci.'ra conducted. occ~J.c:i.on!':l-1 sarvJces prior to

1874) vthen regular services began. li~nn.•y A. 'l)n"!'ant condncted regular

sorvioes in his cottage from January of that year. Hr. Hichard Sutcliffe

beCarJle school-m.aeter and re.mlercd mvoh twefnl service to the ohuroh.

Mr. '11arrant' s cottaee soon provoc1. too S."'lall for the cong_regation,

and permission to uae the aohoolroofll 11as grnnted in .'\t:J,sust. There

so1*Vioas were condtl.cted on al ternat$ S1111days to allow tho Plymouth Brethren

the US(i of' tht'l !'OOln. ( 15)

The piety and determination of the s11rttlers of !\igatimoti vrera very

striking. '!he Church obviously play£ld a vi tal part in their liyas and

proved &, foc;:ll. point ln their social life. 'l'.he most interesting feature

t:o ba noticed hera ts tho co-oper::r.tion bErl>w8en the "'\nglioan.s and the

Plymouth. Drethron.

(lti) ''Ju.0ileo oi' ~.:t;. J::_c.:,es' :Jhurch, i~<{;atimotitt, 1PJ34-l934, pp. 6-8, G.,;. Uroroton, compiler. tl •.. , •. ·:Jtiles & co. t nelson.

- 74 -

CI:L'\.PTll:R 6

RU>ANSION '1'0 W\RLBOROUUH, COLLINQ!::OOD A~m Ti:tE ,''!ES'l' COA;ST

!!ki\RLBOHOOOH

In Marlborough the country was wilder and much more sparsely

populated than in Nelson. 'rho Sounds region was particularly difficult

of access: So indented is the natur& of the coasts that a sailor could

voya;e :for tw·o hundred miles round the bays. l\coess to this region was

mostly by sea. (1) There were only two land routes from Nelson, the 'l'op

House trail passing near Lake Roto-i ti und down the ''lairau volley, or the

trail over the Maungatapu ~~ddle, later notorious for a horrible hi~nmy

murd\lr.. Bishop Hobhouse used to ,journey from Nelson to Marlborough on

foot. His phy-sical pm"!ers were ramarlmble • and he sow!)1t refuge from

an habitual affliction ot migraine in his long trelcs. (2)

'rhe rivera of .Marlboroui?Jl were a perpetual menace to travellers

in those early days because of their narrow· shifting i'ords and strong

currents and high floods. 1:he bost means or crossing 'nas to olin& to a

bullock's tail as it gwrun across. By 1862, roadmak1ng had eliminated

some of the ,perils of: crossing the r1 vera .. From the Wairaut south to

the Canterbury border, whaliru.3 and sheep stations ware dotted along the

coast. The sheep-raising was not conducted on a large scale until the

Amuri district

The stations in the high valleys of the Clarence and other rivers·were

( 1) nAn Account of the Diocese of Nelson, N .. :~." • 1862, pp. l~'S-20. {2) 11 Nelson t1ocesan Guzetterr, Oot. lst, 1933. "75·tn 1\nnivorSt'\!'Y of'

Diocese of' Nelson."

- 75 -

often slmt in by sno1n i'or months at a time. ( :3}

'll1e Churoll of the Good Shepherd at Blenheim was the first in

Marlborough. It was built of timber t'rom. the Dig Bush at Grovetown, which

v1as drawn to. the site in bullock wagons. It wns dedicated on October 6th,

1861. A second, Church of the Nativity, was dedicated in Blenheim in

December of that year, and Holy Trinity :Jhurch at Picton in May, 186:3.

A small church vms built by the 1l\aoris at ~.'auru.sar:tB,unu, but it decayed in

later years. (4)

In 1857, the Rev. H.F. Butt wtts appointed first resident clergyman

in the 1i:airau. 'l'he separa.tion of rtarlborou;jl as another province from.

Nelson, in 1858, and the growth of its population, cau.sed Bishop Suter to

constitute it an Archdeaconry in 1868, the nev. ''r. Butt being the .t'irst

i\.rchdeacon. ( 5)

~,fa.rlborough was .rapidly settled by r1m-holda.rs, who took up the

whole country. The very large size of the runs involved the isolation of

the stations whose owners were known as '':Shepherd Kings". 'J.1H3ir SOJlll!cWTha t

wild and rough existence, with no accesa to a church, and a very meagre

supply of clo.rgy, pr.esented a thorny problem to the Anglican Church.

One COffil11entator remarked, 11 .:'Iow those large districts are to be supplied

with spiritual ministration is a sor.rovrful mystery." (G)

The clergy brou,ght the influence of the Church to the East Coast

of 1/arlbo.rough durin[::; the sixties. By 1860, the Rev. H.F. Butt had

visited the Uaoris in that region, and there was a proposal to purchase

U?) · n.tm Account of the Diocese of r!elson., N.Z.", 1862, pp. 13-20. (4) 11Nelson Diocesan Gazette", Oct. 1st, 1933. (5) Op. cit. ( 6) '1 An .~\ccotmt of the Diocese of Nelson, N. ;.>;. <t, 1862, pp. 13-20.

- 75 -

land for a church. By 1863, there is mention ot a native teacher and

a chapel, the site o:f which is nolf.r un.lL.!lown.. In April. Mr.. J runes ~/Jhi te

of Kekerangu was licensed to take services, which he did at irregular

intervals. In September of the following year. Mr. 'l'homas Poritt was

sunilarly licensed. Five years later the Synod granted £100 for a church

and vicarage at Kaikoura.

there.

In 1870, ~>:r .. Foritt ~1as a~.pointed to the cure

Next year Bishop Suter visited Kaikoura on a visit to Dunedin.

It illust have been a moat uncomfortable journey because the rains were heavy

and the Bishop hn.d to spend his nights at sheep-stations.. By Y<tay 27tht

18'70, a parsoru:1.ge and temporary church h>Jd been bull t .. 'Ihe church at

K.a.ikoura, for which the people collected f200, was named at. Peter's.

J:,'r. F"Oritt arrived about the same time, after a t',\lalve days' sail .from

Picton.

The Kowlmi people were anxious to have a ohurch of their own.

Servicesvere held in M.r. Harmon's cottage, whare there was standing room

only. A site offered by a 11r. iTimble, an Irish gold-di{ager~ was bought

and a small church eraeted. on August 24th, 1873, st. James'$was formally

opened. Tile following year Mr .. Poritt resigned, and for several years

there vres no minister on the East Coast. (7) After the gold rush at

Wakamarina, there was a great influx of diggers to Havelock and Canvastown,

where churches vrere opened, St. Poteri• at Ju~velook in October 1872, and

St. Paul's at Canvaatown in December.

( 7) Dishop Sadlier, ••T)inm.ond .Tubilee of St. James', Kowhai 11., April lst, 1933

- 77 -

COLLIN~

t)old was discovered at Collingvrood in 1859, and a large population

or diggers established tll.emselves. Ap~arently their condition was not

too happy as one \lll'i ter f:J;loom.Uy related :..

"I shall hear a sicltening description of' the diggers' life •••• as the f'lood.s have washed out the "Knaves of Spadasn, and they will probably be idling and boozing about the public houses. l:lOor fallovml they have a. rough life to endure and 1 t is strange tllat they are not more unruly and reckless tht.Hl they are. '.rhe rostdant magistrate has little trouble with them." (8)

By 1860 Mr. Codrington had started a mission among the gold-seeken•s ..

Ai'ter a miserable fortnight's stay in a public house, in •:;hich he impressed

his floak with the elasticity of his temper and the firmness of his purpose,

he hired a house and regularly fulfilled his duties. (Sa) He was follo'.Yed

by Mr. Halcombs who hold services in sohoolrooms up the distant valleys.

St. Cuthbert's was opened in iebruary 1873, at: Collingvrood.

'lYtlE V!E3T COAST

This region is unique in Hew Zealand, and presented n~.any complex

problema to the Chu:roh, which were di:fterent from those !'acinz 1 t in the

other settled parts of' the Nelson Province. 'rhe coast line extends tor

more than one hundred miles in an unbroken sweep. Above is an impenetrable

mass of roreat, vrhich grows down to the top of the low cliffs f'lanking the

beach .. Fold upon fold of forest-clad terrace, hill and range, lie up

a::;ainst the Southern Alps, snow-clad above seven thousand feet even in summa

(8) Account of the Diocese of rielson, :N.Z..", 1862, p. 8. Author of {8a) Op. cit. quotation unlmown.

- 78 -

Linea of heavy surf are alr.~ys to be seen along tho coast. The bal."-

entt>ances to the rivers are narrow end unsafe for navigation. These

rivera are deep und ::ndft flowing because of the velocity with 111hioh the

water falls d01i'ill from the lofty Alps to the almost immediate drop into

the sea, there being hardly any flat land between.

'l'he towns ware primitive settlements of wooden shanties* tents and

corrugated iron lean-tos, and genenQly consisted of one long narrm~ atreet.

often over one mila in length, just clear of the huge trees some of which

'Nere fallen. 'l'he suburbs were a wilderness of gigantio atnrnps. Crowds

oi' rough and rowdy men were to be seen everywhere. Sometimes the number

of hotels i.<IOUld be a bout eighty t all in the main a treat. Another CO!nmon

sil?',ht were atr:l.nga of pack-horses hoavily lad.en, as there were only narrO\v

path-s through the f'oreats, along which vehicles could not travel.

In each town thousands of diggers resid.ed. They obtained gold

by handfuls and 11vere flush with money. Strangely enough, they carried no

revolvers or other ·:veapona and there were only a fmv police. Robberies

vrere very rare, though the hanks were fl:l.tMY structures which could easily

have been broken into. Only a few ~r~trds away from the miners' huts, ho tela •

banks and stores, were the diggings, water-races, flumes, an(l tintber; mille •.

1~e beauty of the primeval forest-covered hill-aides was rapidly scarred

by sluicing with high-pressure ,1ets of water. if1l thout the phenomenally

heavy rainfall of the Vle3t Coast, it would have been impossible to obtain

the gold.

The diggers~ th.ottgh rough ruon, lla<l many e;ood qualities. Bishop

Harper and his l:lon, the Archdeacon, hacl great admiration for them. 'I'hey

- 79 -

found them lusty. powerful men, who indulged in occasio.nal sprees, but were

honest and free from crime. They treated people equally, having regard to

their qualities as men, and not to class distinctions. The diggers

welcomed the yisi ts of Archdeacon H<irper vrhilst they vtere ene;nged in their

'l"hey were noted :tor their ability in work, their k.nowledge of' the

strata, their skill in tunnelling, sil~tiug shafts, and engineering water

supplies. They shoV~red great readiness to build churches, no-operate viith

the ministers, and attend the services, choirs and the stt..'l.da.y-scf1oolt3.

'lueir ch.ari ty to people in trouble or afflicted by illness or injury was

most .notable.

When AI'chdeacon Harper first visited Hokitika, h.e received a welcome

typical o:t' the gold-die;rd;e:ra. In his "Letters from New Zealand" he wrote,

'l'hera was no bell, but the town crier had been en(Saged vri th

his bell. • Roll up, :roll up, boys, church service, roll up! '·, and then. with

stentorian voice and ingenious invention of titles, 'Roll 'lp, roll up!

His Riverinoel the ArchdeaconS his Honour! his Gruae, T,vill p:reaoh to-day ..

Roll up, roll upl' And roll up they did. Lots of men, fevt women., and a most

hearty service morning and evening." ( 9)

On September 1st, 1865, Bishop Harper set out from Canterbury to

the illest Ooast .. The urea which not.•t oons'ti tutes Westland, including Ross,

Hokitika and 1\anieri. came u.ndar the administration of tha diocese of

Catlterbury and is not included in the his·tory of' the Nelson Diocese. However,

Greymouth, which in those days was under CanterburJ, is now included in Helson.

(9) Archdeacon llan.ry :::. Hurper, ttLetters from New Znalandn, Hugh Raes Ltd., London 1914. Lottars 6 and 7.

- 80 -

Bishop Hobhousa had i'oreseen the intlux of population to the West

Coast, and being unable to include Cr:t•eymouth in his ministry, had placed it

under the care of .Archdeacon 11arper, and the Rev. c:p. Beaumont, whose

haadqu.arters were in Holdtika, ·the latter· having the cure of Ross and

Greymouth. (10)

.In 1865, a building was used by all denominations in Greymouth.

In July of the next year George Dobson, a surveyor. vm.s murdered by bush-

rangers near Greymouth. bishop Harper imr:le,liat~'lly proceeded th~ro from

Hokitika to taka the funeral service, praach1~; from the text, "ifhat ia

'J:1a1nu1, the local chief, t::ave land to all the churches. on .ruly

28th, 1867, the f'irHt Church of Holy I'rinity was opened at Greymoutll. It

sented aig)1t:1 people and cost .£.'700. 'lvm years later, hlr .. Beaum.ont resigned,

the Rav. G.T.~~ .. :7atk!na being l1is successor. A terrible storm wreeked the

church in 1881. (12)

At Bishop Suter's first synod on Novenber 6th, 1867, he quoted from

a letter written by ~::r .. J .R. Dutton on the urgent need for ac-tion on the

':Jest Coast gold-fields. (13)

By 186'7, Westport was an important townsh.ip .. 'l'he WeRtport Daily

News of November 23rd reported a meeting at 1L'rilUble' s Nelson Hotel to

discuss the best means of' establishing a Church of F.ngland minister in the

district. Bishop Suter was tlle chief speaker. Mr. J.R. Dutton chose

(10) nr:relson Diocesan Gazette••, Oct. 1st, 192'7. "Diamond Jubilee of Holy Trinity Church, Greymouth 11

•

(11} Rev. H.'l'. Purollas, ~~.A .. , ''Bishop rrarper a1.1.d the Canterbury Settlement", Whitcombel!,cTornbsLtd.~ ~;.z..l903. p. 12r1.

(12) "Nelson Diocesan ·aazette", Oct. 1st, 1927. (13) Op. cit., Oot 1st, 1933.

- 81 -

the site for tho church and the Rev. .Bacha Wright H.arvey becanHi<l the :drat

st. John's church wan opened thet•e on Aut;ust 28th, 1869. {14)

Reefton suddenly sprang into tame in 1670, 1f.l'~um gold reefs were

tUscovered. By 1872, Archdeacon Butt nnd the Rev. A.C. Soutar of Westport,

had visited t,b.e settlement ..

In li'ebruary of tlta t yoor, Bishop ;.1uter and. ?!f:r.. C. ~tunteztbrot•rn

made a. notable overltu1d tour ot tho West Coa.s·t .. They first proceeded to

I!ir .. John Kerr's stat;ion at Lake Rotoiti, and then down. the Buller Gorge in

the face of rain and Sii'rollan waters. I·t inok them .five days to reach

Reafton, tthich lias on the bank of a ri var in den:3e b11ah. Tl1e first service

was conducted in tlle billiard room of Ba.rker' s Hotel on f:'ebruary 25th, in

the presence of a large congregation.

was to visit the township every month.

It v.ru.s then ar1•ane;ed that a clergyman

'l'he Bishop then travelled to ;;Jost;port by boat down the Buller,

navigated by o.n old identity (lubbed "Poter the C¥reekn.. On his return

from Greymouth, tho Bishop found that a sunday-school had b~;en organised

at Reefton.. In. h1ay 18?2, the Hev. G·.H.. Joh11stone, vicar at Nelson, held

services in a store on the Broadvtay. The Rev. '.P. Flavell, wllo was vicar

of Charleston, visited Reefton in_June. The church ma~bers petitioned

the Bishop to appoint Mr. Flavell to the district. The latter moved to

Ahau:ra. after two or three years' residence in Reefton, on tile appointment

of Mr. E.G. Cross, where a ohuroh was opened in January 1875. A section

of land '11\rns purch9.sed in Reef'to.n for the church in 18'76, when Mr .. Cross

(14) 11Nolson Diocesan Gazetteft, .ran .. 1st, 1927, "Diamond Jubilee of' Westport.

-82-

resi.gned soon after his appointment .. The vicar of Grsymouth, the Rev.

G. 1l".N. VJatkins, undertook the cure oi:' Reefton, assisted by the Rev. II.

Ruthorford .. In July 1877, thG foundation stone of St. stephen's was laid

by the Bishop, and in the following year it was ope:1ed freo of debt. (15)

On June 15th, 1868, a public meeting ~vas hald in Jolliffe's Odd-

:fellows' Hotel in Ol1arleston. 'Xhe Bishop of Nelson delivered th& address.

A motion was carried that the inhabHants deemed it advisable to take steps

to erect a churohe It was built on the camp resorve. and the :f'irst service

was held ·on October 11th, 1Bo8~ the Rev. B.'!;. 1IarvEtY being the first preacher ..

Tho Rov.. Thomas Flavell ¥18.S the firs·t incumbent. His first act vtaa reputed

to have been the confiscation of all tho threepo.uny tlnd fOlJ.rponny coins in

the tovm to prevent their use in church eollecti.ons .. B1.shop Suter made

many visita to Charleston. Once when he wa1J travelling on foot and plainly

dressed, he was mistaken for a tramp and confined in the gaol 1.mtil iC!.entified. (16)

undoubtedly on the '!!est Coast the ch:u.reh .must hu.ve h.ad a great civilising

influence altogether.

(15) "Nelson Diocesan O:azettett, Uaroh lst and April lat, 1927. "Jubilee o :' s·t. Gtophan' s 0huroh, Reef ton. n

(15) Irwin li'aris, 1'Charleston, its Rise and Deoline", p. 109.

--8.3-

CHA.FTER o -

On his tirst visit 'to Nelson,, BiF>hop BehrJn announced that the

Nelson l:';ndowment Fund contributed to the Olm:r.oh by the New Zealand Company,

was to be 1nvestad in land, nnd that tho acres adjaOE'Jnt to the Church Hill

balongi.ng to the Co.npany v1ere -to be purchased for this purpose • and the

cost <Hlr•rj.ed to the credit ot the Company as r;art of the contrioution to

the church fund. (1)

At Hlshop Selvr.rn's second. visit in Decamber 1134;3, tt1e pu.hlic of

Bishop's h-ands by ·the Oo.1:tpany .. 'l'1.1e :Siahop explained thn.t none of' the

fund Wf:lS to be Bpent, bui; that it 1\frtS to be invested in l~;~.n1ed securities.

the intet>est of which, i.f spent judiciously, would be of great benefit to

the settlement. (2)

UN+;L ~ the. th:!.rd vis1.t ot• the Binhop ill April 1848, nothin.il> further

had happened to the 1.1!ndomr1ent :!:'und, which 'itas still invested in thl'ee

pol'aant · consols in F.n.gland. IJ.i tllorto the absence o:f' land titles had

prevonted the invest:nent of the .f\md 111 colonial. securities, but that

( 1} "Tie :port ;row Zealand 11 ~ July 1844) App. t15'7-663. C'r.. ~-?7. Bishop of New Zealand to Becret-=ary o:r J:f.;~. Company, 7th ,"Jept .. , 1!3-12.

(2) "Nc;lson ·(1"~tar1il.~er'1 , Doc. 9th and 16th, 1843 ..

- 84-

di:t'i'iaulty would SOOn be 5!.\Sily OVercome .. A deputation awaited on the

Bishop ut the Rev .. H .. :E'. l3utt 9s house to point out that loans to settlers

on security of their land, would be beneficial to the oottlers, enabling

them to buy stock and the interest would furnish the Bishop with a building

fund. T~1a 131ahop said he was willing to receive applications tor mortgages

at eight percent but he was )ln~nlling that a local board should receive

and administer the funds. (3)

A year lr:rt;er no further proe;1•ess had been 1::Ja'Je 111!th tho transfer

of the Endovmtent 1rund .. The ranult of a n1eetin,~ •·lith Bishop Salvzyn \118.S

discouraging, the Dishop considering it too ea1.·ly to invest tho funds in

tl1e colony. All thl'J interest of the Fund r;<ts taken up in paying the

ole1•gy and in school nxpenses.. ( t1)

on May 12th, 1861, the 11E:ta.mine1•n reported muah discontent o.n the

pa.J:.•t o1' tul{_;lioB.ns in Helson on tho continue(l non-transfer of the funds

f:r-om I~nglund .. 'X:bese were locked up in British securities, a.nd provided

an income ot OIUY £483-6-4 instea{l of moo~ whiCh its investment tn Nelson

land would return. Alroady tvm hundred titles i'or land had been sent to

Wellington for the Ltovernor's approval. .. According to tho article, the

Uishop did not rr,ake a satiHfo.ctOl"J reply> nor did ho rnake his S3heme clear~

He asserted thu t his .Plan wan to l.ond money ·to a collegiate institution

vrhich vros non-a::datent at the time. /V3 the. Bishop visited Uelson only

once ill l:ii¥0 year a. he should have sur:t'endeJ.•ed the Fund to local hands ..

•l1l'he Bishop has so many irons in the :t'iro that he has not time to prevent

{ 3) 19l,felson :c;:.cwniner", April 29th, 18·1.8. (4) Op. eit., April 9th, 1049. (5) Op. cit., :.:ay 12tht 1851.

- 85-

On his visi'G to Nelson in De.Mmber 1851, Bishop Selwyn gave .mora

1ni'ormaf>ion .. His attorneys had never b,aeu able to gather the trustees

toe;ethBr to take the required notion, so u.::; money had been transferred ..

'rhe trustees were the l".a1•l of Devon~ Dr. f-':inda (A.rohbisbop oJ~ Norwich)

and :.\rchd12.acon Hall. ;3elwyn had iMtructocl thom to sell out .ooo in tv.ro

equal sums, but they htld taken no action, thus inflicting a serious :l.njlll."Y

on the Church in the colony.

au extra £100 would be ava:U.ablo ENCl'Y yoa.r .. In nelson • tvro clergymen had

to bear the fJXpellSe of' keepin..;s horses to travel thirty miles every Sunday,

and in eddition w·ere e:{pected to live us gentle:non on the annual pittance

of ..W.60 and ~180 J:'0u.IJ0Ctively.

T'Jto !3ishop's decision to dOle out $'2,000 f't'Ol11 the I~ndowr•lent Ji'undt

"~as alao .~Jtrongly ori ticised .. 'fht:l timo haO. aone for the 'lmole £10.000 to

be vested in the oolo~:J> whore t.Jlore was a cryint_s need tor capital, and e.s

Before, the Bishop had acted rightly in not handing over the money,

because in a nevr oolony there waa little security. But when he received

tho £5,000 from the Company. he mado an engagement from which he could not

withdravT. This v;as a public tranBaction a.nd the Nelson people. were

justified in. damanding the f'ul.t'ilment or the scheme. (7)

I'he pvsi tion re,'l:ainod obscure Wltil 1855, when Bishop Selwyn in a

letter ·to ·tho H.ev. H.E' • .Bu.tt said he hoped to organis0 a parochial system,

{ 6) "Nelson ZX:nminer11 , Dec.. L'lth, l:.J5L. (?) Op. cit., Dec. 20th, 1851.

- SG -

and \'lould g1 ve an account of the decree of. the court in oha.naory on the

'I.'rtJ.st Fund} and propoao a plan for its t2,TadUD.l transfer to colonial secur-

ities. (8}

In September l8i55, n meeting of Anglicans in. Nelson expressed

their gratification that the Fund would be available for the church 1n

Nelson, anc1. thus ensure s. better supply of clergy. 'fhe Bishop, ho¥rever,

said. that the Fund. could only provhle 11mi"ted. assistance in view ot the

large losses sustained by the Church in the cola11y. He also y;we an

account of the transfer o:r the Trust Fu.n.ds and of his proposals for the

management of the funds in Nelson .. li'irst, a certain proportion will be

available for parochial end.owme.nts, provided tho inhabitants or the

districts Gontr1buted proportion.".lte amounts. Secondly, oaah parish would

nominate a trustee to u general Eudovnnant Board to invest to the boat

advantage in landed seouri ties. all m1ma l:lUid into their hands. Thirdly,

any returns from the ilnp:r'overl ·value of thE~ property hol(I ·by the Trust

vrould ba available at 1;lw d:tsorcrblon oi' tho .D•xtrd for the formation of new

In 1800• the mombers of the Churoh or Em~land in Nelson, together

with other members :!.n New zealand, addressed a letter to the Bishop of

New Zealand on tho neceasi ty for some aystem of church· goverxunent, whieh

would assign to each Ol'dor of tho Church its appropriate d.uties and enable

tlltr whole body to perform its functions efficiently.

(8) 11 I~;;;l.son r;;o11.1inor 11 , Sr:;pt. 5th, 1855. {9) Op. cit., oct. 6th, 1855.

The outline of

- 87 -

govax·nment submitted to the Bishop resembled that adoptecl in the United

states 1 and was in conformity ~·n:ch the ·•dsJ1es of thti.l whole branoh of the

Church of England, in New Zealand. .. 'l'llis sehe.me provided a General Convention

with an Vppor nnd Lower House representing the clergy ancl the laity.. The

Upper House \'.~B to cc.msiot o:r Bishops t'\nd the Lower of deputies of the clergy

and t:aa laity .. All the orders were. to vote sepn-ately • and a.ll motions

to be passed b~r u. majo:rU;y in 0aeh ord.er. 'l'he l1eneral Convention wus not

pert'll tted to have any voioe on Q.uestions oi' ri tu.al. '£he letter also

il1clud.;d the dJ:•i:i.ft r~:>gulations for BU't'~oning the fi.rst ·~:onven.tion. and

f'uno.e:r:eutal r~.tlcs to h~ observed u.ntil the convention could frame permanent

rl.l.l.es. { 10)

In April 1851, lfl tea-party for Bishop :Jebryn vrc>.s held in the Christ

Church schooh·oom, to which members of the church and parents oi' tho children

were invited. il!r. b'utt presented the Bishop wtth another letter on the

subject of church ;;:overrmu?Jn.t • vri th an ou.tHn~ of a rtt~nera.l. Convention of

tho cbrgy a11d tho laity. The Bishop tl.gT.eed v1ith the vi<:wiS on th.e neCEhJSity

or. esi;ablishing a ny~rter:'l of strong church government. (ll)

A meeting of An.glioons on Hay 12th, 1852, vms convened by Mr .. Butt,

to advocate the adoption or so1ne form of Constitution .. lJ.'he need. vms Vi tal

because of the distance froro. and dii'fienlty of eomm.unicatiou vri th the head

of the Church in Nmv Zeulan<:l, ~md. the scattered position of the inhabitants

ot Nelso.n. .. It was 1'0!:H;lved on the .!!lotion of' '!':lajor RioltJnond, that the

Constitution. was desirable because oi" the laek oi' organisation, and i"'urther ...

more, that it was necessary that all adult members of th~ Church so constitut1

{10) Letter to Bit~ht 3ev. Bishop of N<::w :.::¥.lland. from n:embors of the Church of England in ths.t colony. College Fress, Auo kland, 18150.

(11) "Nelson E::ru.min~r11 , May 12th, 1851.

-oo-

should enrol their ru:J.mes.. r.I'hese members were to be invited to pay a

(].1Ja..rtarly aubuor1ption. It '!.'iUS also :r.~1solvad l>hat .a C0.\11l':li'ttee of' .five

should be appointed ·to solicit the c.m-op0ration of members of' the Ohuroh.

of li:Uslaad in the other settlements of nm•1 Zealand. (l~J)

Another meeting on iJ0pte:nbor 18th consi.deroo 31 r1hop ;;elwyn • s

lXlErboral letter outlinin,~ the general prino:lplos o:C the p:roptJsod aon-

stitution •

.mee1bors oocm.ecl unaware of tho neceesity for or.:;anis.:1tion.

of enrolments \TdS not VGl'Y oncoul'aging~ ancl in o.Jdl tion tho .mem.bers •

specially t11oae rcsidin~~ in th0 oou.ntl'Y • ht:\d no !mov1led[~o of t!.1e con-

stitution to bo adopted •

. :3ritisll pnrl.it?m.ant i'or the golternmon:t of tho Oh.urch, hm1 pr~J.cticnlly

:l.nc<.n.'JJOrated. tho terms o:r. the J31shop's pnotoral lei:;tor ..

adopted 1::1. resolution thnt discussion oi? the. lottor should bo r1eferred i'or

in the colo11ics to frame their mm laws. ( 13)

Unfortunately, V.r. Gla.C:g/One's bill '!'ItlS l"'ejected, ~:md also a

similar bill rlraYJn up by the Archbishops or Onnterbur-:r and Yorlc, dra.fti~g;

a system of church govarn.l'!lent. At another meetiJls...;; of Anglicans t'm

January 25th, 1854, Ml'• (}l'()e:nwooc1 read a report which rev-ealeu th'lt no

rrrograss h:.\d been mad.o in :t'O£~t~r('i to the const1 tutiou. nor ~;ms there any

( 12} ''Nelson 1.atBI.11ner 11 , :•,f:.;.y 15·~1.1, 1852. ( 13) ()p .. cit., '3ept. lSth, 18l52.

- 89 -

increasin(-; desire to elli'ol as church Jlambers. rthe members were not

satisfied with the anomolous ~:rt1to of tlle Church tc; ~·rhich half the

popul::d;ioll of Felson belonged, and whicll >vcH:l t~w o.nly rcligious body

wi.thout a definite orc;anJiJatton. {14)

up and sub:nitted to the conni<lol•a-tion o.t· :cenbers of the Ohurch of England

in k1ew .~ealanc1.. 'l1lo dr<:.1:f't provided i'or a G::m,;r:=tl Convention, c'4ocesan

conventions, and a ste:tement on d.oCtl•:t.ne.

JJO"•er to appoint ancl dismiss, to O.t'3le.;:n:bo it.~~ ontho:d ty, and to innt.e

'I'he method of appointment n.nd tho J)O\'Jars of trustees -;·mre

al::w ou·tilinecl. { 15)

o:l' :tts intere;:~ting f0ntu.t'es w~:<s the petition of t.he bishops to ·the :Jueen

O'tho:t: prominon.t

in tho chtU'Cll.

praro:_:,.:J.ti vo of t;ho Oro~:m.. { lG)

In : lOM, trw members of the Church of :t~ngland he.Ld a Jnaating

flt the chu.roh schoolroom to COJ:l.flider th.e proposal by Dishop :;:olw·~.:rn, for

the l.mion of the dioceses of Nelson ana ·an in. :ton .. 'l'he Holson people

·were distinctly opposed to the m.oo.sttr.'o becnn.;;:>c~ tho separation of l'i'oll:lon

t14) '1;;,-;lson \<:::cw;liner!', '''[J.r<lh ll·th, lOiH. (15) Gp. cit., ~eb. 7th, 1857. (lG) .T. · ilo ·:l :~e:?J.nr-t, '1 '' .JtJ:;>llf.o ~1'1'<'31." 11 , 1~1110 L:'·t'!, 1':107.

- 1;}0 -

by SO"l made it ine:q1adie:1t, Rlld the heavy E:l:X:l'JOIWO involved ({~300 'per 8fl11Utn)

in contributill(l; to tht) up.keep oi' ·the episcoput.'-''• 1\ union with Ohris1;ch;lroh

would ba mora likely to aovcmce· the interests ol'' the pt'ovinco. 1l''he

new ,~.eal.and than appropriate fund.s i'or the pnyment of: on additional bishop.

If tho .:.ll.shop of Ner::t Zee:1l:wd '~troro a·ble to visit them more froqnentl.y, they

·would be tt.uito satisfied to do without a locul bishop. TI:le Ghurch in

Bolson was badly in ne>~d of funds, as tlle available tlll\oun·t vJHS scurcely

l3Uf'ficlent to IX\Y the clergy. . r. daxton SUJ:lll':ted up the f'eelinc;s of the

~lelsonian.s wi1en he said, lt!Je do not -;:mnt an.othcr bishop a1; present, tho

pret10nt bishop is qu.i te sufficient if he co.uf'ined hinwelf to the apostolical

dut;1 of preaching the .o:rd. hls Lordship interfered with other duties

of Church meEJ.bers in 3eptembcr, 1Gti5.

bieh011 or archd.oacon ..

n.n.d f.'iva lay representatives elected at a public meetin; in town, two from

the p.ul•ish of r:elson a.ml one from overy parish. { 10) :\rchc1ea Colt

I'aul w·Js a()poin!;ed head of ·!;he Board, the proposals for r;llic.h vroro ~doptod.

nom.intltion of I''dmund Liobhouse to tho proposed bishopric of Nelson.

( 17) trLfelson il:xadinor 11 , Ju.oo 1 '7th, 1856 ~ (W) \.1p. cit., Oct. l1tll, J.mJ[i.

- 91 -

November of that year~ word had been :received that his nomination hac1

bean accepted by tho authorities at r.f.omo. I!e wes to leave England by

t'£\ster of the follot'1ing year. In order that Nelson should be constituted

a diocese~ it 1'll1S necessary that Dishop Selw;ru should resign as much of

hiu diocese us would conati tute tho ax·~:;a of' the new see.

vms to be a sapurato ecclesiastical province v!ith its ovm. Archbishop. (19)

llFLSON' A DIOCE31~

'lue foundation of the bishopric waa a milestone in tho history

of Nelson as 'trell as thnt of the Gl1urcht for ns a }3is.hop's ::Joat, ·the town

acquired the d~r91i ty of a city.

On September 2'7th, 1858, ::~tteen Vic·toda isSU(jd letters patent

creating the diocese. The substance of' the documat1'1i "NUS this:-

Het'1 lealand had been consti tuteu a so.rmrato colony 111 tho year

10-10, and on Octobet• 14th, l13<1J.1 ~ 1 t had been created a diocese under

('J.eorge Atlt,'Ustus ~3olvrJll. Certain portions of the colony constituted a

separate diooeao. styled tl'.ta bishopric of Oh.ristclmroh. Since Bishop

Selwyn hod resi;?rted his office as Jis!lop of t~"O"vr Zealand in November 1857,

the diocese of Now ZBaland 1!!t'lS vacs.nt. Baing of an inconvenient extent

:tor the spiritual care of the inhabitants, it waa considered expedient

tr .. ..r.1 t it should be di vid.ed into several dioceses, one o:f' these beinr:; tb.e

diocese of Nelson. All the terri tor,y- of tho .middle island that lay to

the northward of the parallel <1,~5 • lY• ~ be in..{~ the boundal""J o:f.' the diocese

of Oh.'t"istohurch, wns to bacome the dioceHe o.t' £-.felson.. The toilm of

- 92 -

Nelson 't~Y:as to be tho seat of the Bishop, and it vras ordained that it shoultl

be a city. 'l'he Bishop 'IJJas empowered to <~onstitute any church within the

d.iocese the Ca.thec1ral church. 'II1e c:ueen 1'hnv1nc; r.;ront conficlonoe in the

learning, morals, piety, or our well-beloved Etlnmnd Eobhouso·1t, a~poin:ted

him Ciaho.p .. He anc1 his successors vm:t•e to be sub j oct to the archlf'iscopal t'\

they vmro to be ouffrnga.ll bishops to the latt~r. The Diahop (of Ht.'llson)

h.ad po~1er to ad1nit into holy orde1•s, to r.;ive ino">titution to bone:Cioes

am1 to crt·mt licenses ·~o all - l~Qctors 1 C\lrateo, ministe1•s ~..~tnd cllaplaillil

of all chtU'Ch0s and chapels. He also could constitute one or more

dignitariee in bhe Catl'toclral Chu:cch. s.nd ono or more l,U;clldt1f:\Conrieo i.n

During a V'lCanC;l in tho SOO, due to the dem!Be Of ·the

bishop, tllo d.it~nHaries, urcl.tdot.HlOM and vicnrs, should continue to

mcorciso tho functions deleJ;8.ted to them ~urhil the no!:·drntion o.f a now

bishop. U30}

~)ishop Hobhotwe was born in 1817. He vras educated at .Eton,

~lliol College, Oxford, and Lurham.

i'/orton College . In 1858 he and Charles Abraha!:: wore consecrate(1 Biohops

of Helson and ::ellington respectively, at Lo.rnlJe·lih Ptu•ioh Church. On

1)'ebruary ,19·th~ l8f'i'7, he at-rived in nelson, nnd on .\pl'il 28th he vm.s

inc;talled in Christ Church Oa:bhedro.L ( 21}

On August l9th, 1859, the fir:Jt meotiD;:s of the Nelson Diocesan

dynod H~S lwld in the Oddi'ellovrs' hall .. In his charge to tho Diocese,

{20)

( ;n}

Letters .. ea teiltt croatin:~ the Dioceao of 1·foleon, ;.;(WI i~oo.laud.

( t;nxmri t·te•J. copy) • . ''.t:lelson Diocesan Gc.tzotte11 , '''75th Annivorsury of Dioceuo of lTelson".

Oct. let. 19~3, R. ~tiles, Nelson.

Bishop Uobl'l.ouse outlined tho ftmctions o£ the Synod. He tnforme<l that

body that to udm.inister the churQh lmttls, which had been t:r~J.xwferrod to the

nelson diocese j~rom the Bishop of :Nevr ~.ea1Hnd, a convenient w:unb~.n~ of

trusts would he ostablialled. '.L'11o Sy-nod laicl. down rules f'or the man:1t:;o-

mant ol' the sa ti•usta. The other work of' tho Synod, which does .not require

discusaiou hero, wus laying dO'un rules for the methods o'f' electill,\~ the

Synod, the forr:1ation of p;;;u•ishes, tho Hoard of L:o,:dt'tation, and the

~Jtumlin;:-·; Co;:..:d tteo. v;hioh "pol:'IJetu.ated tll~) life oi' the Synod i'rom session

i\d.ditional busine~s dealt fJri.tl1 "J.Ja8 hho ~npoin.t:ment of

assessors i'o:t• tho mt1int<"nence oi.' church discit;.line. the Genor·ul Fund for

chm•ch :p:.:t:L'f:lOJoo, tho ruleo for ullministration of church pro porty, und a

.Pension .iYund. for aged and sick clergy. (22)

.1\t tho lOi.iO session of the .S;,mod, rei::;ulations i!la:re c1t•t.wm up for

tlle Standing Committee under tho chairr;;a.ils:J.ip of tho Dis1:~.op .. TJto clergy

and la.i ty v\l'ero to b J equally ro:prosented on it o.nd the Disi:lOp was to have

a C!ol.Sting vot~h

sums raised in tho diocese, to nominate true. tees, to prepare business for

future synods, ru1d ·t;o act as a Council of .'\dvico to the I31nb.op, and in

other \'IEI'YS required. by tho Synod.. ( 2:3)

.Bishop ,::::elvr.rn raised tho VJra·th of Nelson ci tizon.s at this seosion

of' Synod by refusing to p~o!y to ·the f:ielson J':..ndot•:tr•len.t Fund a prontisec1 sttb-

scription oi' .!t'.l,OOO. 'I'llis produced a heated debate in the ;J,;mod.

He declared that his con-

tribution had not beco1r.c nccer>~:Jary. · 1:11o stipulated contribution. from.

( 21~) '';;!elson Diocesan 3ynod." - .Journal of' :Fl.'OCeoa.ini;s. C. C•; J. :,~lliot -Hr.xar:liner" 0i'fice, 1059.

( '~!:',) '':.:olson 1)iooefJan ~J;Inod". t::. Luc::.1s, '' t,i1Vf1rt ifl<)I'11 O£':f.'ice, lDGO.

- 94 -

churchmen in Nelson had been cut down by them to .'<':.1, 000, and . a f'bced

CP~rge on tho End~~ent ~~d had been substituted for the £5.000 origillally

proposed .. When the er,.gagement on the part ot Nelson had not been :ful-

filled., it became doubtful whether he ought to renet,·r the offer.. 'I'he

''Jmuninert' observed that the reply ~-~as unsatisfactory s.11d that the affair

was ptlinful tor Uelson .l\nglica.n.s. :tt was o.n injury to the long cherished

respect t'or the head of the C'a1.U'Ch rutd a shook to public oonfidonce in him. (24)

Aocort1ing to reports in the local pres a, there 1Jras some clissatis-

fnct:lon vii tl1 Diocesan goval'!\.ment in 1862. Q.uostions at isauo vroro the

legislative pov1ers or the Synods, the subjection of m.embo:rs to '~he Bishop•a

veto, a.ud VJhO was to administer the revenues .. It ~'"'·s · recom .. 'TI.endecl by the

''CXO.ldnor'' thut the f-'l•ovincial Council ohou.ld. pass an ordinance similar in

operation to those in many states in P..tnl::lrica. v~:hich. :torba(1a any religious

denoiilination to hold in tl•ltst any property for its benefit. It was, in

ae.dition. thought desirable that there should be a .reiJOrter at Synod

clergy was exercised through tho mind oi' the lai tyn. Tl1e clerrcr should

deal lo3-ally and cordially ;,rl th the 1nsti tutiona vlhich bave arisen, and

trust to the geniality and good Sense of tho laity rather than to the

mechanism of vetoes and a separate house of clergy. Tho leader suggested

that the best seo.uri ty for the 1nde:penc1ance of the clergy v;ould bo obtained

( 24) 11xtelson I:xaminer'', Sept. ll th and 15th, 1860. (?.5} Op. cit., Oot .. 15th, lP.Al2.

- 95 ...

he a.n in:;:;uronco against possible fluctuations ot ttpopulation lilnd vopule.l'ity11 •

(26) .

At tho 1063 Synod, Bi&'1op BobJ1ouse inititltecl the CleXV6Y Heplenishrnent

'Iho Oollo~::.e \•.rould be bounc1 to

senc1 one trained student to .t:.rew Zeuland evor-3 year tor service in Nelso~.

A Diocosafl loon f'Ur.lcl vms also 1nst1 tuted which would bo of assistance to

s1r:all undo:t·taldne;J:l on the part o:t the Church. ( 27)

In 1864, a brookdouvn in Bishop Hobhou.so'e health, b1-onght on partly

by the worry of the many conf'liots in the Syn.od, neceas1 tated his res:l(;t1ntion ..

ifiie arrival of Bishop Suter completes the histo~y ot the organisational

devolorment of' tho chu:rch in the poriou under consideration in this t11osis.

He wus born in 1830 in l.onc1on. E.~duoatec't at ::::-;t .. :Paul's aohoo1, London, and

In 18!36, ho was ox•cla1iled prieat. Frorr1 1860

to 1856 he VIas viou:t• oi' All l3ainta', Mile .lfnd, nominated by th.G Bishop ot

London. He vro.a oonsecrateo, 13isllop o:t Halson at Canterbury Cath!:'ldral on

August 24th, 1806. Ba arrived in ;:!elson by the ''Oiss~r' on ·::eptember 26th,

1867, uocornpanisd by a pa.!'ty of Lnrnigrants. (i38)

(2tr*Nelson :Exmainer", Oct. 8th, l86H. ( 27) IIJ:Jelson Diocesan Synod !t. n. LUOiiS j Helson, 186!3. (28) t>tJelson. Diocesan Gazette", op. c! t., ocrt. 1st. 1933.

- 96 -

In oatablis!lint?; schools in Nelson, the settlers were influenced by

the systa:n of British and Foreign f:hmools s~ciety, which provided for a.

more superior instruction and an acquisition of a gre~ter fUnd of knowledge

than other systems. Tne Scriptures wore used as a class-book, but without

crnnmant. creeds and cataohiam, and the sectarieu1 e~position of religion WaS

excluded. {1}

'l'ha Nelson Schools Society was founded by Mr. i/'atthEn•r Campbell in

1842. The rules of tllis society provided for the promotion of ed.uoation

attlO!i.g all classes of ohildren of avery religious persuasion. The schools

r;ere to be open to children of all danotninatious, in which the fJaorad

scriptures in the Authorised Version should be read and ta~1t daily. No

catecllism. or peculiar religious tenets were to be ta~ht in the schools,

but every child was urged to attend the place of worship which its pareni:i s

pre:f'e:t>red.. '.rhe Sabbath schools ware for the pu:rpose of scriptural in-

st~tction exclusively.

far as possible, e~cluded. (2)

The Nelson system reflected the strong distaste of the Nelson

settlers for denominationalism in education. schools of' tllia nature

never played an important part in the education of Nelson. (3)

(1) Isabel ]J!. Street, 'l'hesis, "Eduot-..tion in :Nelson ,Province. 1842-19?7". p.5 .. (2) Op. cit., P* 88. (3} Op. cit., pa 48.

... 97-

BISHOP'S SCHOOL

Part of the Company's grant to the .A .. nglican Church ~'laS to be

devoted ·~o building schools. Included in the aeharna . was a ·plan tor a

College to bo suporv!aod by tho ~~£~ican Church. (4}

On his f.;trst visit to N'elson in AU&.""Ust 1842, Bishop 3elv1Yl'l (1acided

to purchase tho S11rvoyor's office for use as a temporary school. (5)

Captain Wakefield deducted the price of this building end granted an equal

su.IJ'l. to that contributed by the Bishop tor the ela1nentary school. The

Sm1day and thEl day school were lmdor rb:• .. Heay's supervision.. 'frJ October 1842.

thirty children were attending the day schools and fifty the SUnday school. (6)

In liecsmber 1843, tl1e Rev. JI .. l!'. Butt arrived ·to become curate to Mr. Reay

f.nuJ.. headm.aster of tho school.

i'Jhan Bishop Selveyn visited Nelson in January 1844, he was pleased

with the handsome brick schoolhouae that had bean built under !<Ir .. Reay's

superintendence, partly by subscription and partly by grant.. 'l'his 'tms

Bishop's Cchool, the roll numbering eighty children ·t;o begin '!!Jith. A

gra.tntt'lal' school was 1-1lso in existence under l\tr .. Butt's direction.. Nelson

vms the only place vn1ere the Bishop had beau able to carry out his

educational scheme which envisaged a deacon who would supervise the

school and instruct the young in religion. The deacon -was to have

several assistants who were candidates for deacon's orders, to oarry out

the routine work. 'l'he scriptural knowledge imp.arted to the boys at

Bishop's school aroused Dr .. Selwyn's ho:pe~ that ~•that want or :f'eeling and

{4) ( 5}

(G)

~3ee Chapter I,, p. 29. 1':Report UevJ Zealand If J Appo 657 ... !;i63. G.~?7. Letter .from Bishop of N .. Z. to aecretary of N .. Z. Company, sept. 7th, 1842. · <~:;,;3. Journa!t', 1843, .P• 85.

- 98 -

irraverance which cba1~cterised English schools, and w!lich was caused by

the manner 1n which religious and secular education were oon:f'uaed, would

be avoidod.~ (7)

In 1846 the school was attended by sixty boys and girls on both

week-days and sundays. One vting of the building had been completed with

a gable-fronted centre, in the Elizabethan style. (8) 'l\ro years la. ter

a ttendanoe llad increased to over a htmdred.

that education wo.s more advanced in Nelson. than anywhere elsltl in New

Zealand, with Church schools in Nelson, Wakef1altl. and ~·xotuelm, and secular

schools established by ;,Jatth~l Campbell. ~"~ 1f:hou.gh he (Mr. Campbell} i.n

his school organisation is not strictly 'with us', I vrds 11.'-!J.ppy to find ......

that ha is not agai11st us. 11 Utr.. Campbell• s scholars vtere :f'ar more numerous

thatl those in the el'lUrch schools 2 but the . Bishop desired to maintain the

in·i;egri ty or the Church school and prei'arrad to koop th"' numbers small

ratller than admit nonconformists. (9) In 1B51 BishOl) Selwyn ra jected a .

proposal made by Mr~ Sutclif.fa a~ a church meeting that the church and

secular schools be united. (10)

From 1856 to 1~360 the school was suspended.

providing pr~nary and secondary education proved too ambitious on account

ot the small population and poor econom.1o conditions o:f' tlw settlement ..

'!'he parents were unable to pay tees, and the grants to the school proved

insuffic:lient. Bishop Selwynts changed attitucla to the Schools society.

also encouraged .Anglicans to send their children to 1fr. Campbell's schools •

(7} Bishop Selwyn, ".Hew 2ooland.1', l'art III, pp .. l::J-14. (8) 1'N.4. Jourrra.ln, 1846, D• 106. (9) Bishop .:.lelv.rtJn, "Now Zealand", Pert v. P• 50. { 10) "Uelson E:l!;;aminern, Mo.y 12th, 1851 ..

- 99 -

Be.fore 1848, boibthe Bishop's a.M. Mr. Raay's attitude had been hoaM.le.

I.n 1855 the Education Or\11ru.:mce Act put an and to the school for several

It was let to the local board ot education for a girlst school. (11)

·Bishop Itobhouse. at the first Diocesan Synod in 1859, deplored

the i'act that not one child was unde1• the daily teachine1 o:r the Chu.rch ..

The Frovincial Govermnent schools did allow clergy to enter the schools

under the welllmown "Nelson systemu, but according to the Bishop theit•

teaching was defective on both the moral and spiritual side. Tho Bishop

held toot a complete remedy would be the u11.iOn o!: secular and religious

teachiDt?. unde:r.; one agency, though the Chui•oll was too feeble to undertake

education in ·the Nelson diocese, but it could. by increasing ·t;he nUI11ber

of Sunday schools, supply the n~eded instruction in ·the Christian faith .. (12}

The buildin&; r.·as in u bad state l,·Jhen mshop Hobhouse arrived ..

His appeal to the pt1r1:3h1onors for funds failed, so he .xn:>ov:tded his <>wn

:funds for :repairs and the school was reopened at ·the end of September 1860,

with the Hev,. '1'. A.. Bcmden as headrnastor. 'I'he course was a plain English

education to prepare the boys for a commercial life, and unoffieially for

entrru:toe to :Nelson College. Religious instruction waa ziven according

to the tenets of the Church of Ragland. Bishop ~.Jelwyn founded five

gra.nunar scholarships of J'5 ea.ob., emJ.bl.ing oandida·"'ea ·to attend st •. Jolln•s

College, Auclda.nd. {13}

'!1le subjects taught were reading, grammar, writing, geography.

history~ alge~ra, la:tin, seometry and eham.iatry ..

ceremony in 1868. Bishop Suter said that it was not a pretentious school,

(11) (12) (13}

Isabel l!:. Street, op. cit., PP• 4,S ... f51. "l·!elson Dioceaa.n Synodn, 1859~ H. Lucus & Son, Isabel E. Street, op. cit., PP• 48-51.

THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY

CHRISTCHURCH, N.Z.

:.... ... ,, ' '

C!•'

- 100 -

but it was fulfilling ita promises, He was agreeably ou.rprisad with the

general tone and bearing of' the boys, and the good :feeling vthich existed

be'tl.vaen them and the masters.. T'neir education began with the recognition

of the boy as a moral being. Tb.ara vms specific religious teaching but

1 t was not imposed on the boys if ·bha parents ob jactad. ( 14)

At the axamir~tion of Bishop's School in Deoa~ber 1869, the head-

Jnastor revealed several shortco..rnings.. Although the school had a '•solid

foundation", and. had gained publio con.fidenoe, it 'l.'las limHed in respect

of' i\uuls, buildings and play-g1•ound. 1he ;,'lork of e:x:aminationa was poorly

presa.11ted; the boys were ir:r.•egular in attendance, and the parents showed

11 ttla sympathetic co-operation in fallin.g to provide adt:HlUate care in

the supervision of home-work. (15)

tn HW4 a Cadets Oorps ·was sta:r·tea.. A school waa also conducted

by tho Church at \'lakefield. The only school had been closed down owing

to bad discipline and the Ohuroh bought the buildi.ns~ In 1844 ~lr .. Jos.

Wilkinson was ·teuo.her .. 'lne roll vms twenty-one in 1851, but on the·

establish~ent of a national aysten1 of eduo~tion in 1855. it was disbanded. (16)

In his chtlrga to the 1870 session of the Diocesa11 Synod, the Bishop

stressed the urgent neBd .for more clergy.. i\S it v.us impossibl~ to brins

them. out from England,. it V>.l8.S thought necessm·y to. support the proposal

that was then u.nder discussion, to found a Theological College. This

( 14) lt~foJ.sOn .Examiner,' J Ja.tl.. otlt J 1869 • (15} Op. cit., Dec. 24th, 1869. (16) Isabel E. street, op. cit .. , pp. 57-58,

- 101 -

would provide 1:1 p:roba:tionary pe:r;-iod ·of' service under trained clergy ..

'1'he interest on £3.000 left bY'.Bisllop Hobhousa was·o.vailable tor the

purpose of supporting and providing books tor three students. ~be

Bishop offered to undertake the instruction of these students in the

meantirne, but hoped to provide a tutor, vdlo vrould alsr) be chaplain, and

an occas101tal preacher alld lecturer .. lt was the Bishop's hope that the

s·tudents would bo admitted to the examinations tor degrees in the

Uni vers 1 ty or Now zeaLand. ( 17 }

In 1874, the .Bishop visited ;ngland uml securedfou.r new efficient

labourers, ·the [{eva .. J. Lei.sr)lton, F..J. Cross, 'r.s. Hutchinson and Charles

}.:oon. The :,zothar Church testified to the suitable qualifications cJf two

While in England

he raised the awn of £1,100 t .. or ·the ina.ugu.ration of the 'rheological Tutor-

ship .Fund, which was the first step towards tho ins-titution of a th.eologi-

cal college .. The :tlishop had as yet :received no contributions from the

Diooesa, although the need \'i"B.S very urgent, since several cures were vacant. (18)

The exarainations were divided into four grades, the highest com-

prising nineteen subjects. M:r. Kernptho:rne and Mr. Groce succeeded in

pass~~ this grade with honours. (19) The Bisho1Xlala Collage was

a1'filiated to the University of :Hew Zealand, only in very vague tams.

There was no theological faculty in any of the other University Colleges,

so thel'a was difficulty if it was desired to combine an arts degree with

It ~?as Bishop Suter's desire that as rruany

( 17) 'fl:ielson Diocesan. $ynodu, 1870, 'R. Lucas, Nelson. {18) Op. cit., 1874, Luckie e..: Collins. Nelson. (19) Op .. cit., 18'76 ..

- 102 -

students as possible should receive their training at the University

The number ot students .in the college was not to

exceed ~ix, two nov.; students being admitted annually .. Mequate

instruction v~as provided in tha college, and by clergymen who had

part-time lectureships there~ The d~uand tor clergy was so great

that it was only with d1f'f'ioulty that the students could be rotainsd

:tor the time required to obtain thair degrees, and it was found necessary

1'or the more advanced of them to spend part or their time in direct

ministerial work~ (20)

11Jle CoJH!lissioner of J:at1 ve I(osorves had established. a school

for the Uaor1s tn /',:otuel:;-.1.. In Yuly 185:3, Sir George Gray made a grant

to Bishop t3alwyn of an area :lf land 660 aoros in size near ~~!otuaka ,

in trust for the usa and maintenance of a school, The school was to

be superintended by Bishop t:3elv[J•n and was to ''educate children of'

aubjeota of all races and of poor and destitute pereons, being inhabitants

of the Pacific Ocean... This trust ;·raa px•ovisional on re]jgio'.tS edueation,

industrial tra.inin,?; and instruction in the Engl1ah lan{:!U.age baing erJ. ven

to the youth educated there. (21)

To pay.for the school, the land was fenced in and put in crop.

~,Ir .. Tudor ;•res first head of the school. The ~irls were

instructed in the arts of' house-keeping, cooking and s~m1ng.. The

(20) Hamoranda respecting the aotion of' the Senate of the University of N.Z. re Bishopdala College, compiled by tb.e Principt:tl ..

(21) T:ru.sts Hegistert l!elson Diocesan Library.

- 100 ...

'l'he famous Julia ~artin, the Grace r..arling of New Zealand, \WlO helped

save :many lives from the wreck or the nDele.r:rore" in 1864, was educated

Mr .. H .. Suto11t:re taught F..nglish to th~ boys and girls who could

speak it tolerably well.

'l'he oan·tral government mE;tde an annual grant of .f200 to ,1::'250.

When this wa.a stopped. Hr .. IJ:'udor sent the chilclren home. Before he

left the diGtrict a new and larger building had been erected .. Mr. Harris

wus f!ir .. Tudor's successor; he continued under great dii'ficultiea for

two ~ears and then resigned. 'I'h.e school vias not rem.L'lled until after

Bishop Suter's arrival, when the Hav .. £,rr. Ronaldson rms appointed to take

charge in 1Ea.y 18!38. 1'1lese men. v1ho had devoted themselves to vrork among

th~ ~~:aor1s, had to contend ';;ith the great instability of the natives ..

1l'he children were rubjeot to fits of' homesiokneas and l•eversion to savage

habits. 'l'he lJare.nts ·showed lack of peroaption of· the benefit of education. . (22)

There vms frequent absenteeism, s.s there were no f.'unds to build or

maintain a boarding school.. Children who 11 ved far away woulcl not come ..

'l'he children also had a distaste for sustained work .. To add to the

difficulties oi' tho schoolmaster. the tribe to which tha 1.\hakarewa Estate

hE.d belonged, declared they had never been paid for the land,, !L!ld would

not send their children to be educated. Some of the parents were most

unreasonablet complaining it their children made no progress and yot .

actually discouraging them !rom wor!d.ng .. T.ha U.aoris also complained 1f

their children wo-re whipped. All in all, attendances wera poor and the

school us it stood, not a success.

(22) Hopo1•t of Comra.ission of :mn.quiry on Trust Estates for Religious, Charitable and Educational Purposes~"· Presented to Gonerol Jl.ssernbly by Cor.JT.!aud or: His E:x:aallenay, Wellington 1874. '': otueka Grant", nev. '1'.1. 'lildor' s :Bvidence.

.. 104 -

Mr. Ronaldson kept school in the morning from. .nine to tvielve

in the native ahapel, and rraru six to eight in the avenine in the church

Sunday school at tlle ,iotuaka village .. In addition to bis teaohiru.:;

and a q~·terly one in r~;lish. He s.lso period.ieally journeyed over. ·

the hills to Jainister to l;..'lglicans a.t 'l'aka ... \ta.,

did. no·t require his sol-vices as they had o elere;y:man of their ov:n.

should be made availnble to their children. ( 23) The ~peri~ent of

teaohi!J.J; tlle :.~aol~is alone obviously h£td not succe(tcled, and some felt

that thia failure 1-:as due to the l'ailure to bring up ·~he l\.1ooris with

the gn.:;,:lish ..

In i.~ay 1872, the Hev. Joseph Baker took over the Motueka school.

He conducted a day-3chool in the i.a.ori chapel and an evening sohool tor

chilrlren and adults. 'l'ha sohool ;res still not a success bocause the

;,2a.oris did not board.. On Feb1•uary 1\?th, 1873, four girls co.mmenced

bo::-..trding and their progress exceeded all expacta tiona of L'nprovement,

but complaints ·~·m:ro still made oi' the ignore.nca !J.ml depravity of the

The subjeats taught i'Jet-e reading, dictation (at 'frhich moat of'

the childreninade no attempt) arithm~tic, in which the children were

mostly imperfect - they did k.nO';-r tltail~ tables - wTi ting (mostly fair)

.music ( ju.':.:lt b!':lginnin,g to learn notea) geot,:tra.phy, (most seemed to kn.ovr

little about it) reo1'P$.tion, and sewine;, however, showed good results ..

(23) "::.otueka Grant't, 11ev. rl'.l .. Tudorts Evidence. (24) 11Nelson Llcces.~m l3ynod" ~ 1674 Bishop's Charge ..

... 106 -

The school was conducted in an unlined room, the dorm! tory

baing above. The boys and girls looked clean and well clad. The

industrial training t~ limited to the girls, cooking, house-work,

dress-making, being the subjects taught. IJ.be boys refused to work ..

One father toolt his son away because he had. to chop wood .. (25)

Mr. David Jennings proposed at the Commission of F,nqu1ry into

'l~t Estates tha·t the school should accornmodate white children e.s well,

the 1a tter to be day scholars, while the Maoris boarded. ( 26)

(25) 1'Nelson Diocesan Synodlt• l61f6,Report on Native Schools (26) 1111:otueka Grant", Hr .. na.vid Jennin~s' evidence.:

... 106-

The Company* s grant to the Church was partly for the purpose of

constituting funds to be applied to the benefit of the natives. 'r.his ~um

wus to be advanced as a mortgage on the native reserves. Bishop Selwyn

hed been appointed trustee of these reserves and was deeply concerned with

the well-baing of the natives. · With the Jl't'Oducta tram the reserves he

hoped to build institutions for the improvement of the natives in religion,

health, in the useful arts, and in every other way likely to contribute to

their social and spiritual development.

Dr. Sa bryn had made plana for a school, where ;t.'aoris of tvvo years

and over should be housed, clothed, and educa:tod., so that the succeeding

generations should grow up wHJ1 an i!l(;;roinad he.bi t of industry.. The BiShop,

af·ter his discovery of: a. poor n.ati ve vd th a straw.:; internal inflammation,

lying on the beach. sheltered only be a small Dieca ot canvas, directed

that a hospital tor natives should be established u.nder the care of .Mr.

Wilson, one of tlle first dootors in :Nelson. The :f:'aor:l.s ware filled with

gratitude at this gracious act and wept in the native manner when they took

leave of' him.

A hostelry tor the na. ti vas was also inclu.ded. in the 'ivelf'are scheme.

This \'J'ould serve as a lodging house tor the natiV&:lS vThen they came to the

settlement to sell their pigs and potatoes. Each building in the hostel

would be assigned to ri partioular village. In the centro of' the crescent

was a small tank in which the natives were encouraged to wash tha1uselves.

- 107 ...

Already the use of soap ·waa replacing red oohre and grease. (1)

The Bishop entrusi;ed the plall.s for the hostelry and hospital to

.Mr .. VJ. J. Barnic-oat. As Dr. Selwyn had left only .£'200 for the buildings*

the buildin,.~ of the chapel had to be post;onad. The Bishop also con-

tamplated an infant school tor both Y.~aor1 and Pakeha. (2)

Bishop :3ahryn viai ted ~rotueka when he first came to Nelson. in

1\Ugt!S t 1842. .He quialdy established contact with the natives there,

most of vJhom were already Christian, taking a service on the 24th. .As

the principal chief there vms ill, the st.trgeon of the party attended him

Tlle chief vr..:4a baptised at his

He assumed the name of Apirama, and later carried the

e;ospcl to the nati vas in ',!est :ranganu.i. { 3)

The Bishop vras ver:v well recei'red. by the ~}aoris, who \'fare very

much gratified 7lith the sermons he preached to them in. the native language.

He baptised several of their children .. ( 4) They seemed very desirous of

Lnitating the praotioea of the English. A description of a native

funeral conducted by a f::aori missionary indicated that it 'IJ<res a very

decorous ceremony, and the Maoris were to ba seen going to chapel on a

very wet Sunday in vary deoant European clothing, with umbr~llas over

their heads. (5)

1.rhe Hev. C .. I" I~ay did. roma.rlroble work among th.e ~laoria,. He

used to visit the natives villages fro~n l?ioton to 7JDat :'7an.ganu1.. In

( 1) (2)

~~~

Bishop :::ahvyA, 11 .i:lew Zealand1t, PP• 40-48. Vi.J. Barniooat, Diary. Sept. 6th and 8th) 1842. Bishop ~3elwyn, op. cit., pp. 40-48. :3e.Inuel stel'hena, :Letters, p. 95. (5) op .. cit., P• 94.

- 108 -

october 1842, he had visited Vfaltapounga and Rangitoto, whet>e he cured

several. natives of illness.. IIe ·then sailed to littssacre Bay, where the

villages of Tak.aka, 'l'<:\ ta, T:lupo, Hw;,reu and ll'ahapo vmre s 1 tua toc1, Ue

found the natives there upset over the question of m~nership of the coal

seams at I;~otupi:pi .. I.n January 1843 he baptised some natives at R~itoto

and revisited L~assaara il<J.y, T;;here ho fotmd 42 natives o.t Tomatea building

a neat chu:rch at Wapping Point.. Its i.nt·~rior •tms dooorated with ra:upo;

this was the first church to be built out of Nelson. (6)

A yea:r la:ter Mr. Reey's sorvices were oallecl upon to modiate

between the settlers at Happy Valley and. the i•ao:t:'is who lived at the Pa

four miles nox··th .. Iha ?Ea01~1s claimed the ovmership of the valley even

though they had never occupied it .. r~rrunatta, their chief.' t had throntened.

the settlers, brlllldishin{;; his tomahawk .. 'l'he reaul t was that the police

mue;istrato had been S\llllnWned. Although P:1rn.r;1.atta had agreed to refrain

from taking further action, he did not keep his hargA.in. Tlm lllngistrate

had deolinod to taka any further :1otion, so the ;3attl(')rs had bunded

together under fJemuel ·.:Tte!;hens to <}ut a line of daf.iarcation acro<>s the

valley" rruey 'Nere armed and thoir intention was to present t~e plan

of partition to Parrunntt&.. 'l'he Rev .. Hr.. and his wife am1 1'!1' ..

n .. n'. Butt now orter<ad to ).Y.cooeed to the pa. to give the chie,f safe conduct

to aoaept the invitation to make the inspection. 'Farumatta deolinefl tlls

offer and an al'ined band lei't Nelson to :t'or<!e the chief :i.n'lio compliance ..

1.Jr .. Butt anc1 Mrs. Reay of'fex•ed themselves as hoataBes while t:r. Heay met

the party.. He returned to the pa with the plan and printed notices

'ltarning :::.a:ramatta a0ainst further aggression. Paramatta then retrained

(G) 1~t>elson [liocesan Gl!l.Zette~', Rov. 0.1. Reay, B.A., June 1st, 1927.

- 109-

from any :tu.rtha.r. action. Tho responsibility for the preservation ot

_peace rested lnr(y:Jly upon ;.:r·. J:(eay and the benevolent influence of the

Church. ( 7)

.f,nothe:r ohio!) :~\nrt).mu., who he.d instigated disturbanceo, ·was

baptised b;)T :.trr. Eeay at l.'as:;mcre Bay. This brought about u mira.c.mlous

chang;e in the nature of the uativo<J. v:r .. ::~esy also tra:velled to West

'Hangunui, 'I"Ihere the .n.zrtivos, whose dialect wuo difficult to understand,

hnd hH.d li t·na contact with 1'u.rope2Jl.S. He loft supplies there for

Charles treaphy arHi 'r'now..as ltrunner, who ~·rora to make ·~heir amazing journey

dov.rn the .·:est Coast. ;::r. Heay wao greatly encouraged by the enthuaia.a.m

of tho natives in s::assacre Bay for the church. 1'In each l1 ttle village

they rojoice to have their own pasto .. •." (B)

In .January 1840, th•3 b:dg "0uide 11 was ·wrecked off ·:illakapu.aka..

The local \'aoria took possession of 'the vessel beoaU3a 1 t broke a tapu.

A body or militia was despatched, but owing to the e;ood services o:f

~~.r .. Reay, who accompanied the party- the natives were inducec1 to co-

operate in i;aking care of the (.H.'l.rgo o:f' the ship, which consisted of

ca·ttle and sheep. Ordinarily the natives woul<l have seized everything

and tragio results VJOulcl have ensued .. (9)

By 18M)~ :tlr.. Reay' a i.n.flue.n()e had caused the extension of

Christian! ty down the 17est Coast.. . Ab:r3hanl Te :;,:a tina ti and Li bni

had oarriod the gospel to their own tribes. At Ahaura, the natives

who had never seen a white man before, ware desirous of a visit from

(7) ''.Helson Diocesan Gazette'', RaY. C.L. Refly, B.!L, Oct lst, 192?. (8) Gp. cit., Noy. 1st, 1927. (9) Op. a1t., Dec. lst, 1927.

... 110 ...

Mr. Raay~ were regular in w~rahip, and anxious for baptirua. The change

A fet;; yeru:s before, sealers had. cw.nped for week.s on the

Black Ra~f, not daring to la11d.

on theit• h.aza.rdous journ·!i'IY, they v1ere hospita.bly entertained by the natives~

.Anotiler hTaori ohurch was situated a:t \1.otuelr.a. A writer described

1 t in 185$ as a sLuple wooden atructu.re with a little belfry, a few

lanceted windows, ~unall enOUf!,h to create nthe dim. religious light inside",

a rlaileo.-in eorrmnmion. table, a little :tent~ ana des!~: and pulpit. The

of .mi sai onary :privations. IY ( 11 )

J>uvit-~& b Biallop liobhouso's episcopate there we1•e 950 natives in Nelson,

whose residence alternated b~tw-een. h:ts d.iocas~.J au;i that cf Canterbury ..

There v;ere wver ro.ore th!in one hundred natives in one place.

the Rev. 1' .L. :L;udor was appointed pastor to the i'.l£\Ol•is in Nslson. He

gathe:t'EHl the native teaollera together :t'rom tir'.1e to tima and then sent

them. out to ministe1• t;o the flock. The !,raor::ls built separate places of

vrorsllip, t~nd showed great desire to im.i tate the English in the possession

of chm•cb bella and other aoceseor·ies to worship.

All the nati'v-t;s, with the exception. below·, by this time professed

Ohristian.i ty and had been baptised., bu·t t11e1 were unstable n..l'ld only ~lt

civilisad. "L'he~r t<Jndec1 to slip back to their old na.gan habits .. The

ohilc.reu rnn away from ~t~llool, and 7Jhen they were servants to 'EurOpeans

{10) rl£.fel!Jon l)f,';;cesaa Ge.zetter~, !i:ov. C.:r.J .. Rer.:1y 1 !J.,A.t Jan., 1st., 1928. (11) nGhu:rch Pe.:Jol·deJ.•'' 1 /'\'.13 .. 18<35. r~;., visit to ~,:otuaka in 1856'' ..

"\.G. ~:letts Po, :~.on, l'fulson.

- lll-

they o:ften reverted to their old savage customs. In 1Jelaon the m::U ve

poptlla.t:lon was show in:;; a definite dt~oline. ( 12)

Bisho.v lio'bll.Oltsa was al~!t'l:fS very- v1ell received by t}1e natives.

One example of' this t-ms that they cleared. a track for several miles in

the bush so 1;Iw.t he could visi·t the pu at Whakepw.:tka.~ ,,vhere a school ancl

chapel w<:n'e built. ';[!he one exception to the cood resu.l ts ttsu .. !llly att;ained

by the Church~ vras the chief of' Kaikmt:ra, v1ho remained obstinately h~<1thon~

( l,:-3) nAn Accmmt o.f ·!;he Dioceae of N1:;,lson, 1862''. ~:Ublishe<1 by friends of nishop Hobhous~.

- 112 -

COJ:iC1 ... m:non -· --

'Iha:re are t"70 outstand.in;~ f~cts ·crllioh come to light in this thesis.

Il1 1842 there vms n church

tent in Nelson, an<.'!. servioee were belns conducted in John R:err' s barn

'I'hirty years later, there 'l!Tere chUrches in every inhabited

p::1rt or the province - ·&he ·,laimetts j ~Tolson, ;.:;otuoka t Col1in.zvrood, Whaka.J.maka,

·J.'ho second point is the support given the church by laymen. 'l'hey

gave sec-tions, threw open their housos and b::1rns i'or services anci. gave

liberally to i'unds for building churches. :~en of suoh calibre as

Constantino Dillon, John. Kerr, Captain Feuron, Dr. Greernnood, and <k:tptain

Blundell, indicate that thero was stro~~ faitll 111 the Ol:mroh., and that

tho Chu:roh l:tad a cotlsidereblo ilrl'luence on the lives of the settlers.

·me (oJakef'ield plan VT3S to brill{; out a section of J!:.ngliah society

to Nevr ';:ealand, with a full provision for religious org<'lilisations.

denominations. 'l.ha latter shor:;s an interestlne; reaction ae;ainst the

attitud.e in England to .nonco.nforr-lists of the .<\11f.i;licM Churoh, and helps

to explain· the large nwnbers of the non.conforiniats runon.t;; the Nelson

settlers.

1\ strong rwnconformi~Jt spirit t•Ias maintained thro'Ughout the

histOI"'.f of. Nelson, anc1 anyt.ain0 that snvourec.1 o:t' !Ugh Ghttrch vma looked

9St 113 ..

upon with n1arkad dist'uvour by the hu.-ge L(J!;T Church element among the

Other seats co-oper~ted with the Anglicans, end on the

opeming ot' Christ Churoh in 1851, their members attended. the sorvioe.

'!'his i'riendly spirit, ra::.n.lltant~n1 the freedom asooaiated -with "!.ihe absence

of an 11Ji:stabliillled Ohttrchn, vms alvmys F1ost marked in inter-d.enomin.ational

rel~.1t1o.ns.

the educational systaril planned b;y· ·;c:hthe,-·1 campbell. in ·which the schools

\'i·ere open to children of all denominations, antl t·Ihera the Bible T'ras r'e!;ld

'.'Ji thout note o:r.• comment. f;'n.ny M1et,licc.ns even preferred to send their

chil<lren to :~::atthew Gampbell •G school. rn.ther than to the Dishop•s school.

Besides a I."!:Gne:ral tolerance of' other scGts, ther•a ws.s i.n tho

I~P..glican Chm•oh a most pronolmcod ·tendency ·t;o Low Church views. Uelson

opinions, which re.flected the Oxi'ort\ >'ovom.ant at Home .. ~L'he Bishop VJaS

troquently ~:tccu.sed of Hpopo:ry•1, !?!.Uil was once described as a '1tUI'bulent

priest", by a pt'O!Itinent member of the tlll[~ican Church.

synods.

111 ouoh district the locul vestry elected a :representative, ~md :tn sor,le

cases IW:re than one representative. '11he !Jelaon Synod hod ma.ny co.nfliets

with Bishop c:obhouse who, accor·dil1.ff. to all evidence, had a very autocratic

nntu.re. 'fhe composition and povrers of the Stnndin.::,~ COJnmittee and the

castirl(~ vote of the Bish<>p, were most provocative or such oonf'liots ..

'l'he :;;miert:ll attitude of the .Nelson people to educ3tion did not

- 114 -

perxn1 t the i\Jlo'slica.n Chu.rch to achieve 1 ta aims.

approved of nor disapproved of. 11!>. Campbell's syat~, evan thow_jl raost

of the childrE.'m of' Nelson went to tl1e aoaulnr school. l{e .maintained

:that the Iliahop' s school should not lCJV~Jer 1 ts ecolet~tast;lcul ;.rtandards

in the hope of 1ncreasi~1 the tmrnbor of papils. .!i.ppur~:;ntly the

attom1a.l'l.oe v1aa never abo,te fii'ty or sixty in the school 1 s palmiest days.

If we may judge by omrunentari~.ils i.n the 1t1tz:urniner1', H was not a very

goO<l school. At o.ne stage it cef:taed o.lto~~other 9 which Bishop Ho1lhou.sa

ga.•eatly deplored in a cltarge to the diocese in 1850.

ho;reve:r: umler the r::;tlidance of Dish.op Suter.

It wa.s revived,

Bishop Seh•r,;rn' s HChet1e for the advn.ncement of 'c~~'\OJ:'i ~·el.fare,

sh(jl,red ~1 great advance ·fu adopting a trul~~· humane a·htitude tQ the w1tives.

'lhe irnpact o.f the settlers vma cau~.:;i.t1g a decline in their population.

i'he Ollurch an .. countal'ed much tile snme d.if:t:'ienltios het'e as it did in the

rest of Uew Z..eaL"lnd. Gonversions wore bu.t superficial, and the niuoris

readily slippel'i back into the rut oi' their olct heathen cust:oma. 'I'b.e

Thakare,:,rs school certainly could not be x·egarded as str:l.k1ngly succasstul.

but 1 t provided usefttl experience to_ '<'sUide refor.m. in the fut-uro. .Boarding

schools obviously beetXn.e necessary if nt·tendanoe anc1 study were to have

a11y sembla.n.ca ot regularity. Deapit€3 some failures, the whole attitude

to the ~!aoris m.erked a progressive sto.s;e. 'L'ho Church hoped not merely

·to convert the :-~~aoris but to advance thorn in the broad path of civilisation,

but it made tl.w m.istaka o:f.'mking too abrupt, a change from tha old '.'laYS

of life and expecti!1.3 the results hoped for \rould f'ollov.J' imtnediately.

111e Church muBt l1ave plnyed n not inconsideru .. ble par·t in the

social life oi' the times.

attended with enthusiasrrt.

- 115 -

Ohtttch meetJ.ngs ~~~re held frequently EUld

Bazaars w..d. concerts 1/lare held to raise

funds for building churches and must have stimula:ted the social spirit

among the r..eople,

Finally, the impact of the Church on the isolated dist1•icts of

:;I;Tr:u:•lboroug.b. and tho '..:ea·t; Co~st ho.(l important results. Here J11UCh

praise 1s due to th0 bishops t?or the f'ormil1nble journeys m1dor·tnkan to

these I'omota dist1•iats, mostly on foot. ~11e barriers of mountains

hoavy bush, flooded r:l.vors, woro all cheerfully su:r.~:J.ountecl. 'the Church

has. imleed been fortunate in the calibre of the men v;:!lo carried on her

work .. The record of .tho mi~c1siolJnry work in the Dlocese is an 1nap1ra-

t:ton even to a non-0hristinn~ :i:l1e kindliness o.r the ~~old-di;~;gara

proved a gret;;1t help to the Chm•ch.. In nearly all the !TI.illirl.,3 settlemen:ts

the first Jo.eet111.$S 1111 th res_pect to the estai1lishmen·t of churches, were

11eld in hotels, ·uhich had boon th..rov.tu open :l'or the occaaion. The Church

must 1uwe had an ameliornting e:t'fect on the wild life led by the dig.:Sers.

: inisters were runong the most popular visitors. Bishop Iferper, on one

of his visits to Flbldtika.~ was VJelcomecl with a memorable ovation in the

main street.

In rnarlborough, the Church hr.1d n most corcUal reception from

the settlers as tho bearer ot a poworiill civilising influence to the

pri.rnitive and lonely communities on the out-back she~pstation..s •

.t!llother fact worthy of note vJUs tha larea number of .\.nglioans

a'llO.tliJ the early poli tioia!!B of r,:elson, s€Nor•ll of ·:~hom occupied poai tions

on the synod.

- 116 -

.1\mougat members of ·tlJ.o Legislative council

of ·&ha G<:Jne:t•al assembly, tl1e Han. Con;Jtantine 1Jlllon, 2c1:c-. Hom•y &Jymot.tr,

:.ajo:r· Hichmond, Mr .. H.G.. :orae. m1d H1?. 'r. ~·;·i,gl!)Y were mexnbal'S ot the

the G.hurch: Dl'. ton:ro 1 !Te::;s:r.th .'I'.L. 'l~.avers> Il.J,; .. aurtis; A .. J., RichJilOnrl,

A.~J. Goll;yns, M .. I,ightband~ '~:$ Gibbs, J. Shepherd anc1 m. Baie;ant. !j_'his

the Chm•ch vr<1s hold in ·tho early aayn of nelson. It also shows that

the Chm;ch r:n.1st have exorcised indil'ootly t~u·ongh its membors a strong

ini'luence on the public a:rfn:ll:·a of ·those ·umeo.

- 118 -

tiote: ln. each C•l:Se t,.~ ·· date g:I. 1ren is •t:nat of the opelling.

(1) IJB1son: Ghrist 0hurch - Tent, .l\u;3. IJS·bb. 1 1342, l~lt 'J:O;;'.J,JOI.'G.l'J Glv.:;.rc11, Jan. msr-t'l.) 1843.

( 2) ( ···l) <J

(4) ( (i)

(G) ('7) U::) (9}

{lO) ( ll) (12} {10} ( l•l) (15) {16) (1'7) (lG} (19} (.20) (21) ( P.<:l) ,_,,.,.

(23) (24) (2S)

(.85)

( ~~?)

:·.nil::e~t ,(-e;:rt.: ciUki-:>i'iold: ·.:otut)h:;:t ~ )Jt• i i)liiWi'i G !:)l' :

Churc:1, :;0o. 14th, 1~;51.

. t. :;ichac;J.fs, {1} :.:oc., ~31th, 1M3. 3t. J'ohn~.s, Q(l'~u l1'l:h, 1SJ46 .. :.l t • '.\:1l01:tUS ~ ( 1) ~,::JI' lJ. 16th, 1848 • :;;t ~ Ps;.U.l 's ~ l.ug. ~}th, 1::35"?.

·;;o.:l.I'G'.t V'-'.llay; 0hu:tch of Ci-.~,ol.t :.;h8;)lwrd, Oct. 6th~ l86L Dl<:Hlhii:il•il: Chu.rah o:t; Nativity, liov. 22nt1, 18tH. Pic to1u ;roly ·.f'rlni ty, '.:ay ~~;l$t, 1B63. HillBid.e; .;b. f\.mlrew's, April 27th, 18&5.

·:.:almca ','Jest: ~lb .. '.1ichael t s ( 2) , .Tuly 5tll, 1867; \Jre:;rmouth: Holy l'rini'tiy ( 1} , July 28th, 100'7. Oho.rlon·ton: Gt .. D:!•:t:r>lc's (l), dep·t. 22.nd, 1e.us.

Appleby: ''iei:Jt port: Eave look:

Il.i oh.rtl.Oll.<:11 Car~vootown: Gollinz:;wood: Kowht:'d: l{a ikoura: 1\tavthai:

!\11 So:l.nts 1 , !fov. 11th, 1668 .. ,..., :;t. AlbtulB"", !"arch 25th, 1868. ·::t. John's (1), Aug~ 28th~ 1859. ;;;t. Pcter'a (1) 1 oo·tp ::J5·th, 1870 .. :1t. Earnabr:tsb; !'.!ov. lOth, 1870. Foly 'Prinity, Ju.ly :31st, 1872 .. t!t ... euults {1), Dec., 7th, 1872 .. -3t~ Guthbe:t:·t's, 1'eb .. , 1873. Gt. Jamras '4 AW!... ;~·kt;b. t 187:3. st .. Peter's, d.ate unlr.uown 1874. :Jt. r-'etsr's-by-the-str:~nd, Oct .. 1st, 1074.

Ahau.ra: fJt. i\nclrewts, Jan. 25th, 18'76. ?<hakapuako Pa: Chl.l.!'Ch e1•eo·ted in lhppy Valley, 1069.

;'1isho pel. ale:

Hem.oved ·to :F'O. and reconstructed. oct .. ~l4th, l8*t'o. Chapel of Holy Evan.;1al:tsts, oct. 20tll, }8137 ~ :.:;t.. ;;>tepher.:.g-4 .Fob. 1'7th, 1870.

.. 119 -

Ht. l?.ev. CiGor~ss l!.Uf;ltstus ~3el;~JYl1,

Rt e Hev. .&1mu.ru:t n:obhouse ':'.t. Pe'r, /cJ!drew B·,r.:rn ;:tut er

Hev. vhL:U"lcs .'c.l'it1g :Ju:xton :-~a\r.. r.~hux·los Itv.c.:~;J ·~ ?et1Y, D •. A ... i(<:nr. .<enry ,.rm~c i;J 3utt 1,r er:y ·,~c:v. ~:rch1L ;zd;on ; 's. uJ.

Hev.. C. L .<:\OT .. eun., 1:\Sf>istan:~ ;_··~ev, ·..;,.~;..uo Jol':..n.c~tc.ne

?ev • ., .. ~~. > ::ts:Jisttl.nt

~:t. ?.lichnE:l'~;, e.imea est ___ ""~"_' _ _.............,.._......,..._ _ _....,.,.......,~~·-·--:(eV. 0.L. i?l.eay, .U.A .. f~enr. !I. :&"1.. jJu:tt, tl.1,i., 0 .,.s. .H•:nr • 'I' .Ao Dowden, D.A. R.~~v$ 3 •. :>col0> :.\.,\~

1\oV • Ji' $ 'J.'r'i:pp Rev .. A .. TO':Y$00d Hev. c .. o .. ·.hles \rch(~.7l:J.con oi' ·.5iln<'la Vei"Y Hev. X .. R. 'l'hol~pe

Pev. ·p ~,

l:: •• t• ... IJtrtrc .Rev. T.A~ Bo<,'Jden f'('V· .1~:;" Fco1e ( l'eshlerd;) Rev. ~\')

" . c~ripp -r~:icV. ·:~ .. o. :.~Ult13

l~cv. c. n:on

!\U.g ..

lS.12 l.659 1857

l8t12 1842 H3•18 1856 10()1 1861 1863 1867

1(.~~')

1847 13f)'.3 1:35S 1$64 1065 1868

1874

1846 1847 1866 185<\3 1B64 11?.08 1874

58 65 90

,:tz 47 55 60 53

()8

47 56 57 ol

68 90

7S

47 56 57 63 68 74

- 120 -

~ :t:_E31:~ .. 1:. 1.~ 2.. ?righ tl'm t~ ":ev.. t. A. T3Q~:rden ( r<)Sideut) "Rev. 2. roole Hev. F~:I. CoJrington (resido~tt} ~i.€Yv". . • Bird l<n1r 4

n.ev .. 0.

G!) 0.. :~·):Ll~s

Fov ~ J. ;i\31/ •. 3. :Joole s~Lt;.YV.. . '1 ·~ [ ot GoclrlnGtOU _;-(l!J\t. ~ ~ ~. C\.. I.,~.r .. ris r~0v. • r. .. :<:usz {resident) P.c~l. II,. T.~uth{::rfo:x)d

ao'f:. 1 .. ·~:,,)tJai•

\-rohzlJa . .J()l1 ·;Jlorpc

l~e·1. (:.I.,. ::~Oli.Y S:ev. H.J·~ Butt Rov. '1' .. Lq 'fuJor ( l'0Sid.ent) Rev.. J. G. BD-galw.we ( residt'l.rtt) Rav. J. ~oole (r3sident)

"11 ··•,, 111'"'"'' ···'"'l"'on ~~~.~-UG--;~._,;.l;":J 0i;J ·,_'_,

nov.. c. L. .1ucl.oon '!1ev. J. n. 'i'horpe (res ide.nt)

to tt)

lf.15'7 1858 186!~

186/~

1D85 1!368 18'71

1m'1G 1856 1858 1862 1866 UV70 1R73

18'74

1311;3 1843 H350 1D59 1863

1861 1867

-

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47 56 59 60 96

67 78