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About James Worth Morris
Article which appeared in the Auckland Weekly News p. 28, Mar 15 1933
Early Whaling Days of the late James Morris
The number of survivors of the whaling days on the East Coast has diminished steadily during recent years, and by the death of Mr. James Morris (Timi Morete) of Te Karaka, Poverty Bay, last week, the district lost another link in the chain of direct connection with the pioneering days.
Mr. Morris was the son of a well-known and highly respected member of the whaling community, having his early days worked in the industry himself with some success. As he moved along in years, he adopted other means of livelihood, and his experiences were many and varied, including not a few in which danger was a prominent element. He was the second son of Mr. William Morris, a whaling man who settled at Mahia about 1840, and established at stations at four points along the coast, namely at the island, near Tuahine Point, at Mahia, at Tongoio, and at Cape Kidnappers.
The elder Morris prospered exceedingly in his day, and owned several hotels and trading centers, through which he increased his influence and wealth. A man of many fine qualities, he recognised the possibilities of education for the Maori race, and responded liberally to appeals for assistance toward missionary effort in this direction. He had 6 children of whom 4 were sons, the only surviving son being Mr. John Morris of Te Karaka.
Born in the atmosphere of the whaling station at Mahia in 1850 (1849?), the late Mr. James Morris was educated at Wairoa and Napier. He was a contemporary of the late Sir James Carroll during his school days, and was a bosom friend of Sir James throughout his long life. Danger was the spice of boyhood in those days and in telling of his early days, Mr. Morris occasionally mentioned the narrow escape he had from death at the hands of a band of Mahia Maoris, through an unwitting breach of tapu.
Mr. Morris was still in his teens when the Hauhau wars broke out, and through the influence of the Hon. Donald McLean, he secured an appointment as interpreter to Capt. Deck on the Govt. boat, 'St. Kilda.' This vessel carried stores for the troops operating in the Gisborne and East Coast areas, against rebellious Maoris, and also in transporting prisoners to Napier after the settlement of the troubles. Mr. Morris recollected the capture and trial of Kereopa, leader of the gang which murdered Rev, M. Volkner at Opotiki, and he said he firmly believed that the promptitude with which justice was vindicated in his case had much to do with quietening of troublesome tribesmen.
When the Hauhau rebellion was surpressed, Mr. Morris worked for his father in the whaling industry for several years, and had the usual run of experience which the said hazardous trade involved. A highlight in his recollection of this period was the day on which 7 whaleboats each harpooned a big prize, the resultant struggles having a successful issue in the case of 2 boats only, the others having cut their prizes adrift.
On more than one occasion, Mr. Morris was associated in the adventures of "French John," a notable figure in the whaling history of the coast, whose skill and daring became a byword. On other occasions, he operated with his brother, Mr. William Morris, and the pair did well, despite the many difficulties of working from Waikokopu, which was their base.
As settlement extended in the Wairoa and Poverty Bay districts, work on stations became plentiful, and having had enough of adventure by sea, Mr. James Morris turned to the land. He worked for a number of years as bushman, fencer, and shearer, and gained wide experience of good farming methods.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GIST19330308.2.18?item...
Gisborne Times, 8 March 1933
MORRIS. At Te Karaka, on March 6, 1933, James Morris (Timi Morete) ; aged 83 .years. The funeral will leave his late residence Kanakanaia, to-day (Wednesday), at 10.30 a.m, arriving at Taruheru Cemetery at 11.30 a.m.
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James Worth Morris's Timeline
| 1850 |
May 16, 1850
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Lake Wherowhero, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
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| 1933 |
March 6, 1933
Age 82
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Kanakanaia, Te Karaka, Gisborne, New Zealand
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March 8, 1933
Age 82
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Taruheru Cemetery, SEC2 Plot 673, Gisborne, New Zealand
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