MATENGA, HURIA (JULIA MARTIN) (1843-1909) was a woman of some rank in the Ngati Awa, Ngati-Mutunga and Ngati-Tama, residing with her people at Croisilles Island, Nelson. On the night of 3 Sep 1863 the English brigantine Delaware, 241 tons, Captain Robert C Baldwin, was driven ashore in a fierce storm off Pepin Island, off Wakapuaka. The mate, Henry Squirrel, had been badly injured in attempting to carry a line ashore, when a small party of Maori people, including Huria Matenga and her husband Hemi, reached the scene. A line was cast as far as possible towards the shore, and Huria swam in and after a desperate struggle brought the end ashore. All hands were saved except Squirrel, who had been taken to his cabin and forgotten. He fell overboard and was drowned. The people of Nelson presented Huria with a gold watch and the Government voted her and her husband and brother-in-law £50 each. She died on 24 Apr 1909. (See TE PUOHO)

Saunders (p); Broad; Brett, White Wings, ii (p); Ingram and Wheatley; The Colonist, 26 Apr 1909.

Reference: Volume 2, page 38

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