Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/83

record of the everyday work of the men and the state of the weather. There are occasional entries, however, with regard to the squabbles with the Natives and his dealings with them, that are of great interest.

He seems to have had a great dislike and contempt for the Maoris. He kept several Native servants, who were practically in a state of slavery, and he used to ill-treat these so badly, that the severe thrashing he administered reached the ears of the Government, and on the visit of the Britomart to Akaroa, Captain Stanley, who was in command of that vessel, ordered him on board, with the whole of his dependants, and read an official letter to him, warning him against his proceedings, and informing him that if the cruelty were continued, steps would be taken to punish him severely. It is not known whether this remonstrance had very much effect, and no one knew that he had received such a document till it was found after his death amongst his papers. There were, however, some excellent traits in his character. He was twice married, his first wife being a German, who died at Peraki and was buried there. His second wife, who lived in German Bay with him, suffered severely from illness, being bedridden for many years, and during the whole of that time Hempleman nursed her with a tenderness which surprised those who knew the many asperities of his character. He was born at Altona, the principal city of Schleswig-Holstein, in 1799, and died on February 13, 1880, being therefore 81 years of age at his decease. He was a sailor by profession, and being of humble origin, had to go before the mast, gradually rising till in 1835 he had the command of a whaling brig, which came here on a cruise from Sydney. In that year he left a party of whalers in Peraki, and on his return from Sydney in a few months, he made his celebrated purchase from Bloody