RE THOSE BULLETS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 55, 6 March 1916, Page 2

RE THOSE BULLETS

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —In your issue of yesterday reference is made to the finding of 4000 bullets made during the Maori War, and offered to the Government, to be eventually used against the Huns. Reading the paragraph brought to my mind that three years ago I was visiting the locality where, in 1861, we were besieging the Te Arei Pa. A settler (Mr. Surrey) owns land in the vicinity, part of which was what we called "the Green Hill." From this part we were subjected to a. constant tire, which, of course, we duly returned, and possibly with interest, but with poor results. On our return to Mr. Surrey's house, he showed me a kerosene tin nearly full of the bullets ploughed up on that hill. I expressed a wish to have a few of them.

"Oh, certainly," he replied; "take the lot if you wish." The weight had some influence in causing me to decline the generous offer. 1 took a few; they now form a paper-weight, just 241b. Possibly among them were some I had fired— fifty-two years before. So the relic is of interest. The view from this spot is charming. A five-mile view down the Waitara Valley is well worth anyone's while to see from these heights. Pleasure seekers' would be well compensated if they visit this historical spot, where some tons of ammunition must have been fired. I well remember a force I was with—each one with 160 rounds— and all had to refill their pouches two hours after we took possession of the trenches, which was about 6 a.m. Mr. Surrey's collection speaks for itself, and the "Green Hill" was only one spot out of three that needed attention.—l am, etc.

Wellington, 3rd March, 1916.