c&k#35 dps-m spg - Canoe & Kayak

all his people, the head of the chief being considered sacred and any illtreatmentof it an insult. Retribution seemed imminent. For three days theMaoris debated. Patuone, argued that the child should be treated as ‘porangi’or mad, as the action was not willfully wicked. Luckily this view was adoptedand trading resumed.In another story “in 1832 Dacre travelled from Mahurangi to Coromandel inan open boat to get supplies for his men. On landing, a chief brained one ofhis men. Dacre protested so strongly that the chief confessed his error andoffered one of his slaves to be killed as payment.” Needless to say this offerwas not taken up, but it is obvious that Dacre was a man of courage, quickthinking and able to keep his cool in an emergency.In 1832 Dacre began cutting timber on a large scale. He established a sparstation on the Mahurangi inlet, but H.M.S Buffalo took forcible possession ofthe standing trees. Although Dacre had begun squaring spars and preparingmasts and had had the land surveyed by Mr Florence, he left the stationdeclaring that “I remonstrated with the Admiralty but never got any redress.”He and his associate Gordon Browne resurrected his old station at MercuryBay and in 1837 to facilitate the work they erected a sawmill, driven by waterpower. This mill seems to have been the first timber mill in the country.Dacre’s NZ enterprises were not a financial success, but by 1840 he was aleading merchant in Sydney owning a wharf, ships, and a cattle station. Hewas also appointed a magistrate and was a director of the Union Bank ofAustralia and the Sydney Alliance Assurance Company. In the Depression of1842-1844 he became insolvent and set out to recover debts and propertyrights. This lead him back to NZ and in 1848 he purchased the 3,334 acreWeiti block. In 1854 he entered into partnership with Thomas Macky as amerchant and shipping agent and purchased more land including 4,000 acresat Omaha, still referred to as Dacre’s claim. In 1859 the family moved toAuckland, where he became one if its best-known and respected citizens.T. Macky and Co was one of the largest firms in the city, and towards the endof his life Dacre was once again wealthy. Throughout all the trials of being anearly colonist, his wife of 55years was his constantcompanion. About 1878 they returned to England,where he died in 1884Since, my first visit and subsequent delving intoDacre’s history, the cottage is having another leaseof life. In the winter of 2005 Peter Townenddecided the cottage was worth preserving and ahandy location for Yakity Yak visits.He entered into discussion with the RodneyDistrict Council, owners of the land and building.Several working bees by club members and lotsof on-going lawn mowing and talking by Pete havefollowed. Now we have a good base for club tripsand even overnight stays.Pete tells me “There is a BBQ and cookingequipment, all people need to bring is food andbedding and they can sleep in the cottage (onedouble and one single). We have a couple of siton-kayaksfor use and outdoor tables and chairs.Long drop toilets and paper are supplied.“The cottage may be booked by contactingme on 0274 529255 or on email atpete@canoeandkayak.co.nz “ReferencesRogers, Frank. Dacre, Ranulph 1797 - 1884Dictionary of NZ BiographyStevenson, M & W. Macdonald ‘Captain RanulphDacre’ Auckland - Waikato Historical Journal No 37www.doc.govt.nz/Explorewww.dnzb.govt.nzwww.odnz.co.nzPat Costello helps transforma paddock to a lawn.Rob Howarth eats weeds.Even the gutters get a clean.ISSUE THIRTYfive • 2006 13