For the first decades of Otago's history the Province was mostly self-governing. This situation began to change in the 1870s, with a push for a centralised government which was looked upon with suspicion by the "old identity" of Otago. While deploring the social upheaval of the gold rush they had reluctantly accepted the massive influx of income from the diggings and were loath to let its control be directed to (among other things) what many saw as an undignified land grab now known as the "Land Wars" in the North Island.
It was with the background of this resentment, at the end of Otago's independence, that the following parody was published by the Otago Daily Times on November 7th, 1876, the end of the New Zealand Privincial system.
REVOLUTION IN OTAGO.
THE CUSTOMS SEIZED.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
MACANDREW PRESIDENT.
[By Pigeon Express ]
(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)
Dunedin, November 1st.
The news that Parliament was prorogued, and that Otago would on the morrow be absorbed into New Zealand, fell like a deadly blow on the hearts of the people of this City last night. All the papers issued extras, with deep mourning borders, announcing the fact that Otago had been denied justice at the hands of the Assembly, and that abolition of the rights, liberties, and very birthrights of the people would result to-day. In deep black characters each extra made the significant enquiry, "Shall we submit?" As the sound of a rushing, mighty wind, a deep emphatic "No" went up to heaven from the very hearts of the people, and firm determination and resolve impressed itself on every countenance. The Political Association sat in consultation in the Provincial Council Chamber, and the streets around were thronged with people. Not a whisper of what was intended leaked out until the last clerk in the telegraph office had departed. Then, silently and swiftly, two members of the Association were seen to issue forth — Mr R. K. Murray and Mr James McIndoe. A cab was waiting, and they drove rapidly to the North Dunedin telegraph station, where Mr Murray speedily made his way in through a broken window, and took possession in the name of the Sovereign State of Otago, opening the door to Mr McIndoe thereafter. Simultaneously, at the head station, Mr John Barnes applied his brawny shoulders to the door of Mr Lubecki's office, and speedily was in possession. The clock struck midnight. It was the knell of the Provinces. Abolition was accomplished. Macandrew was no longer Superintendent. There was no Provincial Council, Otago was but a part of New Zealand; its revenues and properties had been seized by the colony. A deep feeling of indignation seized the surging crowd, and a great cry, "We will not submit," disturbed the midnight air, and sweeping across the smooth waters of the Bay, was echoed back from Grant's Braes and Black Jack's Point. Ere the echo had died away the members of the Political Association, headed by Mr Macandrew, appeared on the balcony where the result of all elections are usually declared. At this supreme moment Mr Macandrew was as calm as ever, but Mr George Turnbull looked ill at ease, and Mr Stout seemed decidedly mischievous. The crowd scarcely breathed — not a sound save the gentle moan of the night wind was heard — as Mr Macandrew, holding in his right hand a roll of something, came forward and said, "My friends — I am no longer Superintendent of Otago; Ichabod! our glory has departed. A corrupt and tyrannous majority in the village of Wellington has declared that we shall not do what we like with our own, as well as have a share of that of other's. They presume to think the Colony is superior to the Province — that New Zealand is greater than Otago. We are a great people, inhabiting a country possessed of great capabilities — all that is wanted to make a country great, glorious, and free. Let us then be free. Let us proclaim our independence, and hoist the flag of freedom." Suiting the action to the word, Mr Macandrew shook out the flag he held in his hand, and by the fitful moonlight it was seen to be of pure white, with a Scotch thistle, a flaxbush, and a rabbit embroidered in colours, and the motto, "Cuncta mea mecum." ("All my property is with me") A deafening cheer arose, which was heard in the suburbs, from whence crowds hurried to the scene. Mr Stout then advanced and read a declaration of independence, which, although very long, was patiently listened to. Three more cheers were then given for the Sovereign State of Otago, and Mr John Sibbald formally proposed Mr James Macandrew as the President. This was carried by acclamation.
At the Telegraph Office, no messages are allowed to be sent without approval, and by preventing steamers leaving, it is thought a week or so may be gained before the rest of the Colony becomes aware of what has taken place here; but fortunately your idea of sending down carrier pigeons was not suspected, and I am thus able to send you particulars of this great, though happily, as yet, bloodless revolution. Captain Wales is appointed commander-in-chief, Mr John Barnes, second in command, and Mr Sibbald, commissary-general. Judge Williams has been removed from the Supreme Court Bench, and the appointment given to Mr D. F. Main. Mr Bathgate as Resident Magistrate and District Judge is to be replaced by Mr Thomas Birch. Mr Grant and John McLaren are to be tried for treason. All the public houses are open free to-day, and the cost to the landlords is to be a charge on the land fund. The President is busy forming his Government. Sentries have been placed over all the banks, and it is intended to amalgamate them all into a new State bank, for the managership of which there is already great competition The new steam dredge Vulcan is being heavily armed as an ironclad. Further particulars by next pigeon.
November 2nd. The national colours are still floating proudly in the south-west breeze. Every public building and a great many private ones are decorated with flags. Yesterday everything was quiet and orderly. Although the public-houses had been open all day, the strong temptation of free whisky had been steadily resisted. In this great crisis, with the fate of an infant nation trembling in the balance, let it be recorded that not a man forgot himself. There could be no greater proof of the intense earnestness pervading the people. Some disappointment is felt at the apathy displayed by the country districts. Political agents are to be sent to them to wake the national spirit and stir it to enthusiasm. As yet the excitement has not spread southward beyond the Abbotsford bridge. It is to be hoped a day or two more will find it extend over Saddle Hill.
Some of the large firms seem chary about paying their Customs dues, and Cargills and Co. have flatly refused to do so. All their goods are consequently to be seized. Mr Bathgate has been sentenced to a heavy fine for being illegally on the premises. He persisted that he had a right to sit in the R.M. Court, after being warned that he was a trespasser on the Bench.
To-day a grand ceremony took place. All the Volunteer officers assembled in front of the University and solemnly burned their commissions. The President, standing on the steps of the Cargill monument, presented them with new commissions, of higher rank in each case. Wales is made a full General, and if actual hostilities take place is to be made Field Marshal. The Harbour Master, Captain Thomson, has been made Admiral of the Fleet, and hoisted his flag on the Vulcan. All the small steamers are being plated and armed. Kincaid and McQueen have commenced the manufacture of rifled cannon, and A. and T. Burt claim to have invented a most destructive torpedo. They are now completing a large order. The Rev. R. L. Stanford is appointed Chaplain to the forces, and last night delivered a most stirring and warlike address to the men. His text was, "Smite, and spare not."
This morning, some men in the employ of the Harbour Board attempted to take possession of the Wharves and Quays Preserve, under the late Act of Assembly. The members of the Corporation and Lieutenant General Barnes were promptly on the spot, and forcibly resisted, refusing to recognise the right of the Assembly of New Zealand to legislate for Otago. The Harbour Board does not like this phase of the revolution, and Mr Tewsley has telegraphed to Melbourne to know whether Sargood and Co.'s duties are to be paid to the new Government. Mr John L. Gillies's allegiance is said to be wavering, and that nothing but the managership of the new State Bank, added to his Harbour Board Secretaryship, will confirm it.
There was great excitement to day when the Hinemoa was announced to be approaching the Heads with the Hon. Commissioner of Customs on board. The Geelong was chartered, and Admiral Thomson took command. His Honour the President and a number of members of the Political Association, with a strong guard of Volunteers, were received on board, and the Geelong went down to meet the Hinemoa. As the latter crossed the bar, the Geelong ran alongside, the volunteers jumped on board, secured Captain Johnston, and took possession of the steamer in the name of Otago. Immense crowds cheered as the national colours were run up, and the Hinemoa was brought alongside the Graving Dock. The seizure is justified on the ground that the vessel was purchased chiefly with Otago money. McLean was below when the vessel was seized. As he came up, he was seized also, and immediately taken below again. He asked for a private interview with the President, and it was granted. Shortly afterwards, the President emerged, white with rage, and said he had been offered the appointment of Government Agent with £1000 a year, and the promise of a grant of 5000 acres of land if he would betray his country, and give up Stout and De Lautour to be made examples of. He indignantly refused.
George McLean is to be tried for his treason, as being an Otago man, and as having attempted to bribe the officers of the State. He has been handed over to the custody of Mr J. C. Brown, who is to be Provost Marshall of the forces. A carriage and pair was provided for Brown on landing, and Lloyd's fish-barrow was impounded for the conveyance of George McLean to the gaol. In the barrow, he was wheeled backwards, with his hands tied behind his back. Chief Justice Stout is to preside at his trial, and Mr Attorney-General Hislop is to prosecute.
Captain Johnston was offered promotion to a flag in the new navy, but refused. He is treated as a prisoner of war.
President James Macandrew. Hocken Library photo.
No comments:
Post a Comment