TE KOOTI RIKIRANGI.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 128, 30 May 1914, Page 16

TE KOOTI RIKIRANGI.

THE BEAT, STOBT OP THE REBEL LEADER.

■WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE MAORI j FANATIC RELIGIONS, PAItMAPUtE, j RINGA-TU AND WAtRUA TAiPU. (By COLONEL PORTER, C 3., TT).). (Writt-en for the Aucsland "Star.") CHAPTER XVlll.—l(Continued). The signal drfea't of Te Kooti at the Te Porere Pa caused Rewi M_niapoto, Who was not present at Porerc, or any of the Taupo engagements, to abandon Te Kooti, and to return disabused to Waikato, having lost faith in the rebel leader. Te Heuheu and his people surrendered, and their sedition was condoned. DRIVEN BACK TO THE UREWERA COUNTRY. Te Kooti now turned his attention to fresh woods and fighting groundo. By a lapid march northwards across the plains he reached Tapapa, cm the western edge of the dense Patetere forest, from whence he was again driven by McDonnell's pursuing force, after a -hort, sharp engagement. From the I'atetere country the rebels marched through the forest -between the Thames and Tauranga. He paid a flying visit to Matamata and met a philanthropical minded pakeha, the late 'Mr J. (..". Firth, who deee_ired to obtaiu from the Government condonation of the rebel's misdeeds and so end the war. However, Mr Firth's amateur peace-maldng did not obtain official approval. Te Kooti returned by the route eastward of Patetere, and made off once more for the I're.wera country by way of Rotorua. Before emerging from the forests, however, near Kaimai and Oropi, he encountered a force from Tauranga under Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser, which he defeated, killing three men. The large stockaded village of Ohinemutu, Rotorua would certainly have fallen to the ruthless marauders had not news of the threatened attack been sent to Lieutenant Gilbert Mair, who wa3 guarding the approach to Rotorua with the armed men of the pa. At once realising the imminence of the danger, he and his men retraced their steps, fatigued as they all were, and marched some thirty miles through the forest, only just reaching the Ohinemutu in time to prevent its surrender or capture. Lieutenant eilair then pursued the retiring rebels with a small party, himself shooting the notorious murderer Erti Peka, Te Kooti's interpreter and bugler, who had a long record of bloody deeds. One of Etu's earliest crimes before deportation in 1860 was the murder of a. half-caste boy at Tokomaru Bay in 18C5; the youth had refused to disclose where some powder and caps were liidden. The pursuit of the rebels lasted for nearly twenty meileas—until darkness came on. About twenty were killed, and for his pltcky action Mair received his captaincy and the decoration of the New Zealand eCross. This eaction and rgfreat occurred early in February, 1870. «Te Kooti thus was once more a retreating to the forest and mo- atain wjjderness of the wild Urewera sis months of and marching and dashing forays ".'ortlf* d r the best of military tactics. During the engagements he had lost many followers, tind he was also deprived of all the hundreds of horses lie had from time to time captured: these horses, however, would ha\e been useless now, for they could not travel in the savage defiies and over the precipitous heights of the wild mountain land which was henceforth to be the arena of war. CHAPTER XIX. EXPEDITIONS OF 1870—WAIKARODMOAiNA, TOL.VGO RAY, UREWERA COUNTRY. Te Kooti now led his broken forces back through the L'rewera Mountains and re-occupied his old pa of refuge near the source of the Waioeka River. He also crossed over the dividing range Maungatapere, and took possession of an old kainga named Te Houpapa, just under tbe south side of the range. There be established a provisioning depot, where being on the verge of th* open fern country, large numbers of wild pigs were obtained, besides the birds with which the forest fringe abounded. These foods of the bush were preserved in wild honey. The open country also abounded in the edible fern root, the biscuit of the Maori viarriors. A large quantity ot these provisions fell into our hands on our expeditions and the food was greatly enjoyed by tho force. It was hidden in a cave, together with a small supply of ammunition. It was now tic month ot May and winter was approaching, a season whose severity was felt much earlier in these highlands. Te Kooti imaegined himself secure for a time, ebut he was not long left in peace. It was determined by tbe Hon. J. I). Ormond to give him no rest. At the end of April we again took the field, or rather forest, in pursuit of thp rebels. A column oi some 300 reliable friendlite, principally from Mahia, Wairoa and Mohaka, under Lieutenants E. Hamlin, Witty and Large, was organised to move upon Waikare-Moana, co-operating with our columns. Attached to this force was | James Carroll—now Sir James—then a , boy in his early teens. Unlike the j two previous expeditions, this column (did very good worst. Having (secured I two canoes and a whaleboat on May -Ist, a scouting party led by Witty, Large and Carroll, successfully crossed the eastern arm of the lake at Wha-nganui-a-Parua, when they chad a sharp skirmish with the rebels of the Urewera, I capturing a canoe and .supplies. This jsuccesess was followed up by a movement j in force by land and water upon Matu:ahu pa, on a headland on the northern side of the lake, from wiiich the oo |cupants were driven. The wharM j were burned and the cultivations destroyed. This supposed stronghold of | Te Kooti stood in a menacing position, overlooking the lake, hut was really not fortified as it would have been had J Te Kooti himself occupied it. Tiki[tiki pa, on an opposing headland, was also occupied. In July the expedition was _withdrawn, winter weather having set in, and there being no possibility of the main force crossing the mountain to Ruatahuna as had been In,tended. TIIE CRSWEBA EXPEDITIONS. The centre column, nun-boring two hundred, under Major Roputa, and the right column of two hundred, under myself, scoured all the siirronndlng country, making prisoners of outlying tribes allied with the rebels. These, to ,

the number of some four hundred, were exiled up the coast and located in ' Major Ropata's country as prisoners ' of war. They were only released at ! the end of 1871. after the final 'defeat I of Te Kooti at Te liapua, in September I of that year. These expeditions of pursuit suffered much from cold and I hunger during the winter months of May, June aud July, constantly on the move through the roughest of forest, gorge and mountain country. We were not successful in diseovermg the exact hiding places of the reueis. and the men returned to their homes! Te Kooti mean.vliile. in his forest retreat, was driven to desperate straits for supplies of arms and food and for reinforcements. He now determined on a bold raid into the country of his implacable enemies, the Ngati-Porou. RAID ON TOLAGO BAY. Among his followers were some members of the Tolago Bay people, Te Aitansa Hauiti, who informed their leader that if he raided the Bar a number would join him and that he could easily surprise and plunder the place and kill the pakehas. Taking time to receive, as he said, divine inspiration from the Atua, at the end of June hp announced to his followers: 'I shall again strike my enemies, and the plunder of pakeha kaingas shall be ours. I shall take only the strongest of the soldiers witb mc. because the march will be a hard one." Then, selecting about eighty of his best men, the rebel leader struck across the inland trackless Mangatu ranges, and in July, 1870 descended upon Jolago Bay. The residents of Gisborne were alarmed by the arrival in desperate haste of a messenger from Tolago Bay. who brought the startling intelligence that Te Kooti had descended upon the settlement and killed some of the people, and that fighting was proceeding when he left. I and Captain Richardson, with all the available mounted men, some twenty in number, at once made a forced inarch of 36 miles to the relief of the settlers by a night ride, reaching the settle.mpnt a"t daylight the following morning. In those days there was a rairly strong pa on the south side of the river at Hauiti, and in this the few European settlers and friendly Natives had taken refuge. One lady did spartan duty, arming herself with a gun and doing everything possible to instil a spirit of courageous defence into the defender... By the time tbe relieving party arrived. Te Kooti had retired, and particulars of his raid were ascertained. Marching across conntry from T Wera he surprised aud captured at Mangahtia, a man named Te Peka and his family, whom be thrpatened to execute unless the very fullest information was given as to the position of the district and its settlers. Tn Peka submitted, but on the first opportunity made a rush out into the darkness and escaped. He was fired at, wounded, and closely pursued, but nevertheless succeeded in reaching the settlement and giving the alarm, which enabled the settlers to gain the shelter of the pa. There is no doubt that but fur this brave act by Peka (who was afterwards rewarded with a ehpnus) the settlers of Tolago Bay would hive shared a fate similar to that of the unfortunate victims of tbe Poverty Bay aqd Mohaka massacres. Following closely upon the heels of Peka, Te Kooti advanced, and at daybreak in the rear of the hill overlooking Tolago surprised some five Natives, killing one and wounding two. He then opened fire upon the pa from the ridge, but finding it promptly and pluekily returned knew that his intended surprise had failed, and therefore withdrew. A FRUITLESS CHASE. A pursuing force of 100 friendlies, in addition to the few European troopers, was hurriedly organised, and at nightfall was near Te Kooti's temporary camp at Te. Hapua, Arakihi. The weather was extremely wet and cold, and the travelling all day had been through rivers and swamps up to the men's waists. The force was entirely without tentage of any kind, and had to lie in the fern all night uncovered. It was too late to attack, and operations were deferred till morning, it was intended to surprise the camp. A prisoner afterwards gave information that Te Kooti was completely off his guard, ami assured his people that the Government forcees would not travel in such weather, as Ropata and Porter were not there. At daylight we advanced through the bush in the rear of the camp, and when close up were in the act of extending from both llanks in order to surround the enemy's position, when one of the Tolago Natives, doubtless in sympathy with Te Kooti, fired without orders, so frustrating the surprise. The contingent then commenced tiring at random, without aim or object, and would not leave the shelter of the bush. The main body of Te Kooti'a force had marched half an hour previously, he himself remaining with a rearguard of only ten men, and he was just about to move when the surprise occurred. But for the bad behaviour of the Tolago contingent, there should have ibeen an end then of Te Kooti's career, he would assuredly have been taken dead or alive. But even in war there is a Providence which directs all things. With six men I emerged from the bush and closely followed on Te Kooti's heels and captured one of his wives, Huhana, who afterwareds gave the full story of the raid. 1 at the time was within fifty yards of Te Kooti himself. He was calling and making signs. I mistook him for a Tolago friendly directing mp. and we did not even exchange shots. When his wife recovered breath she said it was Te Kooti and that he was signing to her. Then quickly following up the ridge our own men rushed from the bush and volleyed into us, mistaking us for rebels. The pursuit was continued for some miles, and we exchanged shots at long distances. The pusuing 'force, having no food, and' the majority ibeing unreliable, returned to Tolago to await the arrival of Ropata and his men. He was not long in responding to thp call, and sioon appeared with fifty men, much incensed! at Te Kooti's temerity in ■carrying tho war into his enemy's country. We then started again in pursuit, and went right through to Mangabu, but did not succeed in overtaking the retreating rebel. Only one man was killed, a rtragglcT from To Kooti's rearguard. To Kooti also succeeded in cveadinig the eutting-off party, an on nearing iMangatu 'his scouts reported having seen the smoko of the camp fires incautiously lit by tho man. He then inclined) to the right, crossed tho Waipaoa River and Mangatu ranges, and l gained th. refugo of Te Wera country onco more, after a fatiguing and fruitlosk raid. The Govonrment force* then withdrew to await further instructions, T'ne whetweaibouts of tho rebels afttathis raid woro 'for some months quite unknown. RumotiTß -were continually eiTonlated 1 as to the location oi tli rebris, font all wor.l unrernßSve, A HAED WINTER CA-iPALGS, In 'December, IH7O, firri'Hsr pt__«__as2 rspeditions were organised from the Ei_>t Coast under Mxjor Ropata and myself, and from the Bay of Plenty under Captains Gilbert Mair an/I (~ \\\ Pree.e. These parties, thorough!;-

searched the country for many weeks but did not come into contact with the enemy, altnough many abandoned camps were found. Tiie rough, forested ranges at the sources of the Waioeka and Motu Rivere were traveised by the forces. Our parties . also scoured the country from tire Wi- a- | puna, by Maraetai. following that river across to Waimana (Whakatane \ __. I ieyl, and thraice back through the L're- | wera territory to R,>eky Mountain aad I Waimaha. The Aliikereru. Te Whaiti, Ruatahuna, and Maungapohatu districts, in the heart of tire highlaneeis were thoroughly searched by the party under Mair and Preece. but' there were no tidings of Te Kooti's people. W«) captured some small tribes who had taken refuge in the back country as far back as ISCS, after the Pai-Marire fighting. One of these 6ub-cla_s was the Whanau-a-Kai. whose memhOTs made their home and sanctuary in _ mountain kloof that would require a Rider Haggard to describe. During that winter campaiegn we suffered much liaxdeship and actual starvation in the forest. At times w? were reduced to the berries of the hinau and tawa trees, pounded up and made into a sort of pasty bread, and on pikopiko fern shoots. The weather was terribly severe, and we lost several men in the hush, frozen to death. The brave old Major Ropata, on being remonstrated with by the lesser chiefs for persistinein the search in the winter weather, related the tribal story of the hardy -man and the weak one. by way of instilling a spirit Of perseverance and resolution into 'his followers: — "Remember,'' said Ropata. ''our ancestor Tongia. who wove and wove the. rough garment, the 'paki.' and defied the snow and storm. We are descended from him. and wo shall not die. Now. werp we the descendants of the lazy fop Ruamoko. -we •might die as he died. Rtiamoko was fond of wearing fancy garments, to win the admiration of women. He was iv the forest beyond Hikurangi Mountain with some of his people, and. being weak and 1 not inured to privation and 'bcine improperly clad, he was frozen to death in the snow. Tongia and his people werp out at the same time, but 'being hardy and clad in the rough-looking -but warm woven o-anment. the paki. they survived, while Ruamoko left his bones in the bush. We are the descendants of Tongia. We shall survive all these perils. Remember that, and -be strong to endure." The search expeditions were all withdrawn from the mountains by the end of 1870. While we were scouring through all these months the Vrewera valleys and range?, the country round the south and west of Lake WaikareMoana and Waka-Punake mountain was searched by a force of Government .Maoris iindci Major Pilt and Cap-» tain Ferris, who iiispersc.l a raiding party of rebels descending upon Mohaka and captured a noted rebel and murderer named Maaka Waikato, who was one of the executioners in Te Kooti's band. He was afterwards tried and hanged at Napier.'' In after days followers of Te 'Kooti informed mc that no permanent •■pupae (camp) was formed in those anxious months in the deep forest, as their object was to avoid the pursuers until the rebel force was sufficiently augmented to take the field again asJ meet the foe. EveT watchful for the ■•Kawanatanga" pursuers, they moved over long distances fn this rugged highland territory, ranging from" tha Urewera boundaries on the west or Taupo side to Waikare-Moaftae on tha south .and Te Wera on the east. From time to time they received supplies from the tribes in sympathy with them, through whose lands they paeSsed. They were well served by spies aid always advised of the movements of tha Kawanatanga forces. It was during these fugitive wanderings that Te Kooti composed and chanted to his peopla this song of lamentation for his shattered cause, still well remembered by the disciples of the Wairua Tapn ia the mountain land:—■ E Tia te putake Te Kooti c whaiwhaitia neit Ana kei Waikato Te putake, E hu ac—el E toru tekau tonu He waki nei te puihi; Te kai-pupuri ra I a Kenana, E hu ae—e! (Translation.) Oh. why is Te Kooti Thus relentlesdy pursued? Yonder in Waikato is the reason. Alas, my sorrow! Only thirty now, All that roam the. forest, The faithful few who still Hold fast to Canaan. Alas, my grief! In his allusion to Waikato as COD" taining the "putake" or reason for thiJ continued ohase, Te Kooti meant tha I Maori King, Tawhiao, with whom tha I Wairua-Tapu leader actively sym. f pathised. (To be continued.)