1864: “White men are pitifully ignorant of the meaning of omens”
January 21, 2021
By AHNZ
On 22 January, 1864, a comet had been glowing in the western sky for some days. This occurred right in the midst of the Waikato War which led to very contrasting interpretations.
Young Herbert Meade (22yo) viewed the comet from his expedition to Lake Taupo. Meade, of the Royal Navy, had set out to investigate this disturbed, dangerous, territory at the request of Governor Grey. He kept a journal which, after his death, became the book Ride through the Disturbed Districts of New Zealand.
The New Zealanders that Meade met were conflicted about what the comet meant. Was it an omen in favour of the rebellion of the Maori King? Or was it a symbol of the British Empire, Queen Victoria’s supremacy?
“From this part of the country it appears to hang directly over Taranaki, the hotbed of Kingism and rebellion, and its presence is interpreted by the Maories in very different modes, according to their own proclivities.” – Meade (1870)
The Kingites were certain that the comet hanging over their lands was God pointing his finger at his chosen people. They would prevail in this war! Maoris were, in their view, a lost tribe of Jews with as much claim to being the superior race and masters of this world as any Israelite in the global diaspora.
Queenites, on the other hand, interpreted the comet according to their faction. God was speaking, yes, but the celestial object setting perfectly over the centre of Mt Tongariro’s crater was an avenging sword tip. This was Archangel Gabriel pointing at the blasphemers who were about to be dealt their comeuppance.
As for the Anglo visitors, Herbert Meade’s people said this was simply a comet. The alignment with Tongariro was simply a matter of perspective. As a matter of astronomy, if one viewed the comet from the other side it would not be setting over the volcano at all but appear further out to sea.
Both Maori factions could at least agree on one thing, the white man’s astronomy explanation was nothing but ignorance! They said, “It was no use asking the Pakehas, for it is well known that white men are pitifully ignorant of the meaning of omens.”
In the end neither God won but Governor George Grey certainly did.
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Note: Meade died a noble but painful death after a deadly mishap back in England during a weapons development project. George Grey seems to have sent Meade’s journal and letters to brother Robert Meade who edited them into Ride through the Disturbed Districts of New Zealand. A fitting tribute to yet another member of the 27 Club.
Ref. Weapons development mishab, Wanganui Chronicle (1868); Papers Past
Ref. Ride through the Disturbed Districts of New Zealand (1870); NZEB
Image ref. Hon. Herbert George Philip Meade, National Portrait Gallary UK
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