Compiled by Sadlier 13 Feb 2016
UAWA, WHAREKAKA, MANGATUNA, HIKUWAI RIVERS Introduction: This brief document provides some historic archival information taken from the online National Archives PapersPast: related to Poverty Bay Herald (Gisborne Herald). Copy Paste Address: http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast Click: By Region Click: Gisborne on the map Click: Poverty Bay Herald on right side of page (Gisborne, 1879-1920) Search: Mangatuna river /stream OR: Copy Paste the links in the footnote to the original clippings
Two Newspaper Clippings: The two quotes below are taken from two clippings of the Poverty Bay Herald (there are others) and contribute some interesting historic information that is useful to consider in establishing the name of the river under question in our pepeha; and also in general contributing to Mangatuna history as a whole. There is a large amount of research material available today online that can be consulted when there is conflicting oral information. Unfortunately, in our day and age - a neutral source of information must be called upon to assist us make logical decisions, where there is a lack of certainty. Some Interesting Mangatuna History: The two quotes below reveal other important and very interesting historic information about Mangatuna: 1) Original record of local Maori knowledge that led to the establishment of the inland road between Uawa and Tokomaru and; 2) American Trout “Pakeha� fish released into the Hikuwai river and local Maori in Mangatuna catching trout. Who knew that?
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Compiled by Sadlier 13 Feb 2016 (One) Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, 27 July 1883, Page 2. Uawa, July 25. “Before concluding this letter I may mention an inkling I have received from an old resident at Tokomaru- that there exists in the rough a very excellent track for horse traffic from Uawa to Tokomaru Bay, whereby the Anaura, Omanuka, Marahea and Waihoa hills are avoided. This track hitherto little, or unused, is described as being mostly flat, and leaves Tolaga Bay by way of the Wharekaka and Mangatuna stream, thence over Tahutahupo flat, following left bank of Hikowai creek, through Anaura and Tokomaru runs, thence emerging and joining the main coast road near Mr Arthur’s homestead.” 1
This paragraph reveals: Mangatuna stream is between Wharekaka stream in the south and Hikuwai creek to the north o The knowledge of the track was given by a Maori informant: “an old resident at Tokomaru.”
(Two) Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XV1, 3 May 1889, Page 2. “Some natives informed Mr Andrew Reeves that they had caught fish in the Mangatuna River which they assured him were not native fish. From the dimensions and color of the skin and spots Mr Reeves concurs with the natives that they are “pakeha” fish. The Maoris further said they were excellent eating. Their biggest haul was the first day when they caught this stranger to the number of fifty-one, another day twenty and again forty-one. Mr A. C. Arthur about three years ago released a lot of American trout in the Hikiwai river at the back of Tokomaru, the latter and Mangatuna being tributaries of the Uawa river. There can be no doubt the fish recently netted by the natives are some of those let free at that time.” 2
Some “natives” told Mr Reeves they had caught the fish in the Mangatuna River. American trout were released into the Hikuwai River at the “back of Tokomaru” and were later caught in the Mangatuna River to the south. Both Mangatuna River and Hikuwai River are said to be tributaries of Uawa River.
Summary: Whanau you must agree that the “native” informants of the 1880s (probably our tipuna) mentioned in both quotes - they knew the difference between “pakeha fish” and “native fish” – as they knew the name of the Mangatuna River as distinct from the Hikuwai River to the north.
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http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=PBH18830727.2.15&srpos=218&e=------10-PBH-211----2mangatuna+-2 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=PBH18890503.2.7&srpos=2&e=------10-PBH-1----2Mangatuna+River--
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