REMINISCENCES OF NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 247, 24 October 1885, Page 4

REMINISCENCES OF NEW ZEALAND.

Escape of the Chatham Island Prisoners.

[By the Sergeant of this Guard.]

Some timo ago a Maori love romance, professedly founded on the escape of th° Chatham Islands prisoners, nnd purporting to be written by tho mate of tho Rifleman, was copied into the Star Although from the nature of the incidents it was manifest that the story was in the main fictional, it was thought by some connected with the names calculated to place in an uufair light an event which is really one of tho highest historical interest. A letter from Captain Christian (master of tho schooner Killemun, in which tl*.o prisoners escaped) appearing in our issue of September 24th, showed conclusively that the writer could not havo been tho mate of this vessol, and that whenever ho passed from romance, and professed to describo tho facts of the case, it appears that ho mado such ridiculous blunders that any ono having a knowledge of the circumstancos of tho oscapo, or being acquainted with the parties concerned, could see at onco_ it was a mere sailor's yarn We think that so many years having elapsed since tho occurrence of the event, a reliable narrative of its stirring incidents will be read with great interest throughout the colony. With this view wo havo obtained from the Sergeant of tho Guard the following graphic statement of tho occurrence, which has beon substantiated by others present :-- The smart schooner Rifleman, Captain Christian, sailed from Wollington tho latter end of Juno, 1868, with several Maori passengers, besides Europeans. Onarriving at the Chathams, tho only vessel at anchor was tho cutter Florence, subsequently destroyed by tho natives to prevent any danger of thoir being chased and recaptured.

The Guard,

When the Rifleman arrived at Chatham Islands thoro wero in charge of the natives the small force of 9 rank and file, and the captain commanding, Captain Thomas, who I can only describe as thomost conscientious, gentlemanly officer ever engaged in Her Majesty's service There wero between throe und four hundred Maoris, many of whom woro notoriously fierco and bloodthirsty characters, and with such a cunning leader as Te Kooti, it may easily beimagined that the greatest precaution hud to bo taken by men of the guard, who would bo the first to suffer if an outbreak took place. Having described the number of the guard and of the prisonors, it will be readily understood that the guard felt the necessity of extreme vigilance at all times. Captain Thomas evidently felt tho great responsibility of his position. He was over on the alert, and his uncoasiog watchfulness and attention to duty had its corresponding influence upon tho mon, If any other stimulus was wanting boyond the presence of several hundred turbulent natives, whoso recognised ferocity had influenced the New Zealand Government in removing them.as far as possible, and whoso treacherous natures had beon so well illustrated by various diabolical outrages during tho time of the war. When any one refkrts on tho position of this small band of ten men, surrounded by hundreds of desperate savages, the only matter for surprise iB that they bad the courago to remain a single day. What made tho situation more critical was the fact that tho Government had given strict orders for the natives to be allowed perfect freedom, and to be permitted to go wherevor thoy liked, contrary to the wish of the commanding officer, who hoddistinctly warned the Government of tho weakness of their position. From tho first day of their landing on tho islands, the natives had an irrepressible longing to return to New Zealand, and it afterwards transpired that To Kooti, in predicting their escape, told them that if no vessol came in July, to givo them tho opportunity of departing, ho would go to an adjacent height to a place called TikiTiki, from which eminence he would command tho waters to divide, and they should all walk on dry land from the Chatham Islands to tho Now Zealand Coast, as tho Israelites of old hud crossed the Ked Sea in ; escaping from tho Egyptians. Whether To I Kooti had personally been advised that tho Rilloman was to put in an appearance iv July or not, may bo a matter for speculation, but having made the prophecy that such would be the case, it will bo ca .ily imagined that tho appearance of this fine-looking schooner sailing up tho bay on July 3rd causo. intense excitemont, which, however, was not apparent to observers. Te Kooti's plan of escape, as it was afterwards understood,exhibited consummate tact nnd ability. At about noon was tho time appointed for them to tako action, and they assembled, to outward appearance, as if nothing unusual was about to happon, being in ordinary attire as far as external dress, but underneath tho orthodox blankets each warrior had a tomahawk stuck in a waistbelt, sharpened liko razors, with flax bands, beautifully prepared, ready for use. At this early atago I (tho Sergeant of tho Guard) passed the remark to Tamahene that the cutter Florence, thon beating up could not sail very close to the wind, and the Maori laughingly replied, " Knpai tho Rifleman." I then went into tho ltedoubt, where some natives wero standing, wailing, apparently, for orders. I said to the men of the guard thoy were to relievo one another in turns, and come two at a time to the Court-house for their money where Captain Thomas was at the time.

Capture of the Rodouht. A few minutes after this wo were having a chat, when one of the guard rushed into the Court-house and called out, "Have you heard the news! The Maoris have taken possession of the Redoubt." Captain Thomas said : "Marshall, run up to the Redoubt and fall in the men." I put on my tup coat, for it was raining, and ran along tho beach about 200 yards. Mr Shand, tho Native Interpreter, came out of tho Court- *' house and asked me to be cautious, as they could see bayonets gleaming on the parapet, which wos now tho possession of the natives Tho three of us arrived at the drawbridge together, and I thon said: "Captain Thomas, you give the orders yourself," The Redoubt gates were open, and we could see a tremendous crowd of natives inside. They had brokon into the magazine, and were filling pockets, pouches, and various articles with ammunition. Captain Thomas called out, " What does all this mean ?" A number of Maoris fixed bayonets and rushed at him. Several others provided with flax siezod him, threw him down, and dragged him violently into the Redoubt j tied his wrists so tight it cut the skin, and hia legs in a eimiliar manner. I said to Mr Shand: " *V'o had better retreat." A big Maori was interrupting our path, and wo knocked him down. Fivo Maorioa rushed out of the Redoubt and fired at us. One of the bullets struck my hat, and entered the hods of a Maori's boot. I fell down tho steps, and was afterwards in tho act of picking up my hat, when To Kooti appeared on the bank and called to the Maoris to stop firing. I then rushed down tho steps and forced my way through a party of natives oa the beach. 1 got through in safety to tho Court-house, and asked tho policeman where Captain Thomas's carbine was. He said: "Tho. Maoris have got it " A fowling pioco was hanging up. I took it down and hud londod it, just as tho natives camo up. The policeman said : " For God's sako put it down !" Ho know tho Maori language, and had heard them say that any ono who showed fight, was to bo killod. Ono.of tho Hau Hau chiefs camo up, and I a.kod : "Have you killed my wife or children?" He replied, "No! nor shan't you, unless you show light." Thrco of them seized me, and flung me violently headfirst into a cell, into which in a few minutes, they brought Mr Shand and two others of the guard. Thoro was a cell on the othor side of the building.into which Captain Thomas was placed. They put handcuffs on him in place of the bauds. After that somo others were incarcerated in a similar manner. Any person .flowing fight was roughly handled and securely tied. Ou the first rush into the Rudoubt a young man named Hartnell (son I think of Mr Hartnell, of Onehunga) thought the Maoris were skylarking, as tboy often had a bit of fun with the guards. Ho went at tho front Moari, named Tamahene, and knocked him down. The Maori rose in a fury, threw off his blanket, and drew bis tomahawk, making a desperate cut at Hartneil, who put; up his hands to ward the blow, and had several fingers cut clean off. The enraged native then aimed a tremendous blow, cleaving tho young man's hold right open, and killing him instantaneously, the body falling on the poor fellow's own bunk. Hie comrade, happening to be in the guard room, made an attempt to escape, but fell over a box down between the bunks, and tho blood from tho murdered man ran in streams over him, so that he afterwards presented a sickening spectacle, though fortunately not injured. During thi. dreadful scene Doctor Watson had left his quartet _, and puzzled, to know what the

proceedings were, camo toward tho Redoubt. As soon as he arrived he was seized by the natives, lashed securely by the arms and legs, and pitched on to ono of the bunks. I should here say that on the Maoris securing tho weapons there were not sufficient rifles for all .o have one, but the younger Hau Hans had prepared wooden stocks for fixing odd bayonets, and probably desired to tost the same, for on fixing them to tho stocks they proceeded to prick the doctor in various parts with their bayonets, making him bleed freely. Te Kooti interfered, and he was backed up by other leading nati /es, or tho young fellows would havo killed us all, as they wero becoming mad with excite ment, dancing and gesticulating in the wildest manner. At the time of my escape from tho drawbridge,'ono of the guard, named Homington, was very roughly handled, boing dragged by tho hair along rough ground into tho Redoubt, his flesh being much lacerated. Capture of tho Rifleman.

Whilo those incidents wore transpiring near the Redoubt, a party of ten natives had, in accordance with To Kooti's plan of operation, gone in tho Custom House boat to seize tho Rifleman, though to outward appearance thoy had the most pacific intentions. Their riilea were hidden in the bottom of the boat, and tho crow (five only), suspecting no harm, and thinking the Maoris had merely come for cargo, as was customary, Nine of the Maoris jumped on deck, tho tenth handed up tho rifles, and the next instant the crew found themselves and the vessel in the hands of the natives One of the Maoris ascended tno rigging, and triumphantly fired off his ride as a signal to Te Kooti that tho vessel was captured. Tho crow were ordered below, tbe mate only being allowed ' < remain on deck. Tho captain at thi? time was ashore at the pah of a friendly tribe buying onions. The mate was asked if ho could navigate the vessel to Black Hills, between Napier and Poverty Bay, and he said he could, so they said they did not want tho captain. The Maoris put two of their number on sentry, fully armed, awaiting the arrival of the main body from the land. When Te Kooti learned the vessel was captured and in the hands of the natives, ho took Captain Thomas out uf the cell and marched him to the Court-house, where ho was forced to unlock tbe safe and hand over the money. There was between £400 and £500 in cash, .is settlers and also men of tho guard had entrusted their savings to Captain Thotpas, and each amount waa in a littlo bag. There being no bank, people were glad to avail themselves of so secure a place for their superfluous cash. To Kooti offered to take Captain Thomas awny with him and land him at New Zealan.l, but the gallant captain refuse J to desert hi* bravo little band, and stuck to his poet like a man. Considerable excitement vv,i_ caused at this time by Captain Beamirh, hotelkeeper, who had been in the army, making a tremendous resistance on the Maoris attempting to capture him He was a powerful man, six feet high, and he knocked the Maoris down with his fist One after the other as they came up, keeping a clear circle round him. Tho natives, with flax-bands in thoir hands, were consequently unable to secure him, and they bocame quite infuriated and a cry was raised to tomahawk him. One of the guards, heaving this.called to Captain Beamish todesist fighting, or he would bo killed. Heaccordingly remained pasßivo,and wasimmediatesly Bei/.ed and roughly treated. He got so excited that, had he had hia revolver, ho would have shot the Maoris, and that would have led to all the guard being killed. Te Kooti's foraging party had meanwhile brokon into all tho house's adjacent, and carried away every article of value Mis Aloxander bhowed great presence of mind by taking a bag containing 100 sovereigns and dropping it into tho boiling tea-kettle. The people in tho next houso refused to open the doors, and the muzzles of the rifles were at o: co dashed through the windows with threats to fire on the inmates it they did not at once accede to tho requost to open the doors

Terrible Struggle for Life. Tho flax party had decided to hang Mr Chudleigh,who came into tho vessel, as they suspected him of poisoning the flour, nnd they proceeded to carry out their throat, a fearful struggle ensuing. He puthis fingers into his mouth to help him to keep his hands up so as to prevent them getting tho noose round his throat. He fastened his teeth so firmly into the finpers, and embedded then so tight, that tho fingers wero almost cut off. Fortunately hia persecutors observed that the reßt of the Maoris had left, the shore, and they suddenly left Mr Chudleigh and hastened to the beach. On their way down thoy caught Mr Hood, who had chartered the Rifleman. They tied him securely, and throw him helplesely on the beach,, leaving him secured in such a manner that he would drown as tho tide rose. Tho tide had risen until the water splashed over his faco, when a man, observing his perilous position, rushod to the rescue, pulled him v pon shore, and cut his hands ft 00. The Maoris had now swarmed on. boa id j-ontries wero subsequently placed roi.nd the Court-house, and in a short time alter all tho natives re-assembled on the be.ioh and held a big korero to decide what wa. to be done with us. Some fiery spirits wanted to set fire to the Court-house and have a shot at anyono trying to escape, but the better-disposed natives counselled leaving the pakehaa to escape, as all they (the Maoris) wanted was their own liberty. At 5 o'clock at night they commenced to go aboard the Rifleman, after breaking to pieces al tho boats in the b-iy. The principal veesel destroyed was the cutier Florence, which was accomplished by the crew of ten in tho Customs boat, tho sailors being first landed She nas thon set fire to and cut adrift all ablaze. The Customs boat referred to was taken on board tho Rifleman. The latter had a lmgo hatchway for cittle, and they put the b at bolow in ordor to hide from us that they wero still in possession of such, their intention being to retaliate on those on shore lij murdering everybody if any attempt waa made to recapture the vessel or interfere with thorn. Next morning, as we looked at them, it was thought they had no boat, nnd it was not until afterwards we were informed they had so secreted it, to be ready in case of an attack from the shore, whon they would have returned and massacred us. A man named White was the first to come down to our rescue, and whon he found the Maoris had finally left the shore, he burst open the Court-house door. He was doubtful as to finding anyono alive, as it was repoited that I nnl others had been killed, Mr White libera'©*myself, Mr Shand, and three others. We then broke the lock of tho captain's cell and proceeded to leave, but had barely got clear of the building and wero going up the terrace, when one of the Chatham Island-natives shouted, "Here they come ashore again I" and euro enough we sau- a boat put off from the Rifleman, and we thought they had been getting at the grog and were coming back to kill us, bo we ran away with as much speed as possible, but could not go fast. Our captain, with his bands handcuffed behind him, had the greatest difficulty in ascending the cliff Mr Sband very kindly pushing him up the most difficult places. Fortunately the boat was only sent to put the crow ol the Florence ashore. I then proceeded to the Chatham Islands Maori pah, and there found to my great joy that our families were all safo Captain Thomas had all the guns collected from various puts of the Island, and every possible precaution taken to bo prepared for any attack, as the Rifleman was still lying at anchor, and it was fully expected that after touching fhe grog tli9y might yet return tilth diabolical intent. I took a child under each arm and crossed a big swamp,sleeping in tho bush all that night. Kext morning wo found tlio Rifleman had made a start to get out, list failed. All the settlers wero got together, and manned the Kedoubt, having got all the woman and children therein, and were firepared to fight to the last. Sentries v ere parted along tho coast in anticipation of a return of the Rifleman, which, however, got off with the next tide, and,to our intense relief, was seen no more.

It- appears that when the news of the affair reached Government, it was repor-ed that tho whole of the settlers were massacred, and4o Hauhaus had been murde'od. The Government did not take very prompt steps to send assistance, a fortnight elapsing before relief camo, which wis, under the circumstances, very trying. The steamor Kilda t.eu arrived with Mr Cooper and a detachment of Armed Constabul try and a big gun. Meanwhile, we ha i repaired a boat, which was about to bo launched by Captain Christian and by the captain of the Florence, who were determined to sail for tho New Zealand cea_! in her if no vessel arrived. Mr Cooper ititerviewed Captain Thomas, and said that if any of the guard wished their discharge they could have it, so I caused the meo to fall in, and acquainted them with the . (for made. I decided to sell my station und cattle and implements, a.d settle down in New Zealand, in order that my family might benefit by tho educational and other advantages offering in older established and more advanced communities. In looking back at the true position of matters, ono cannot but think that the New Zealand Government were greatly to blame

in hav k ng so insufficient a f„Zv^ such a multitude of eavagea £> N Tuke and Enrign Danvers '»«** **-*-» fere I joined, I had Rome HaukJ her *' feat my station, and I felt con .&% 8 meant to escape. After I Z _.hattb. neeted with the guard afeout _ _.. ? -onreported to Captain 'IhomanhS'^.l chief brewing among the n _tiZ ■*** •alttain Thomas communicatedi -hi.? % vernmenton the subject. Gapt l S? G-' ''Pr>;ared to be made aeeap_ g Xf -*» t. .held the Government f£l**A had it n-. .pen for stroiJ TJ. 1m **'«. on the subject he mi B btt .^^ It i. en almost incrediblef aofc t. f>% Thomas wn« at one time left wi_ . Ui» ccrpora! and three men, and h_! -T' y *• very positive application befo. l ol*9 granted an increased force m *"* coming to the conclusion that ffiiF^ ment wanted the natives to escape "^