In Forty years in New Zealand, published in 1878, James Buller, provides us with much information on his life as a pioneer Wesleyan missionary in New Zealand. A general chapter on life as a missionary provides the following insight:
I always thought that a Christian missionary, in his person, family, and home, should be a model for the people of his charge. They will honour him, according to the proof of superiority he manifests. For this reason, as well as for my own comfort, I tried to surround myself, if not with the graces, at least with the adjuncts of an English home. On a lone spot where I lived for many years there grew up, step by step, a farm in miniature. We had, in time, a large and commodious dwelling-house; a good lawn and shrubbery in front of it, a fruit garden and orchard at the back. Every sort of fruit, from the grape to the gooseberry, grew in abundance. In the green meadows, redeemed from the forest, and enclosed by hedges of thorn and sweetbriar, with the multiflora rose and honeysuckle, might be seen horses, cows, and, in course of time, sheep, peacefully grazing. A well-stocked poultry-yard gave variety for the table, while wild-ducks were numerous on the river, and wood-pigeons in the forest. The neat little church stood on an elevation, and near it was the burial-ground and the bell; and not far off, was the school and the natives' houses. Various out-offices were in the background. By the river-side were a substantial wharf and boat-shed, and conspicuous among the rest was a small windmill.The actual location that is being described is not initially given, but on reading the following chapter, which is specifically about living at Tangiteroria mission station, in the years 1839-54, the accompanying illustration fits the description well, with the river, wharf, and boatshed each as described. That this is indeed the location being described is is further confirmed by the chapter's text which has this specifically to say about the milling facilities when first moving to Tangiteroria:
At that time there was no commerce in the whole district; now there are many farms, settlements, and large trading depots. It is destined to great importance. Our barque dropped anchor about twenty miles up the river. There we landed, on an afternoon. A large hut gave us shelter for the night, but the mosquitoes deprived us of sleep. We proceeded to our new home on the following day, in the large canoe of which I have written. When we reached our destination, it wore a desolate look. The framework of a wooden house was standing, and a few acres of the forest felled: the huge logs, and the blackened stumps, made a picture of ugliness. Flocks of the kaka (parrot) were cawing among the trees. Their grating, hollow sound, together with the cooing of the dove and the screaming of the owl, had a depressing effect. The natives were all away, and there was no one to receive and bid us welcome. A strip of land along the river-side--an old cultivation-- had been sown with wheat. On this we had to rely for our supply of flour, with no other means of grinding it than by a hand-steel mill. Being over-ripe, it was all but perishing. Our first care was to cut and gather it into a stack. We had to "labour, working with our own hands," and when we enjoyed the fruit of our labour, I could say in truth, "these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." For many a long day the sound of the axe, and the "tena" (call to effort) of the Maori, were heard, before the place put on the rosy aspect described in the last chapter.There are at least 3 good illustrations of the mission station buildings, though unfortunately none of them illustrate the windmill:
| Last updated 16/09/2025 | Text and images © Mark Berry, 1997-2025 - |
