TAURANGA HAS MANY POINTS OF ABSORBING INTEREST CONNECTCTED WITH EARLY COLONIAL HISTORY AND MISSIONARY EFFORT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8616, 13 June 1924, Page 4 (Supplement)

TAURANGA HAS MANY POINTS OF ABSORBING INTEREST CONNECTCTED WITH EARLY COLONIAL HISTORY AND MISSIONARY EFFORT

«« \V7HEN the issue of this Special Number was first planned it was recognised that, as one of the most notable engagements between the British and the Native forces in the earlier days of New Zealand’s history, the Gate Pa fight would nessarily have to occupy a conspicuous place. The Editor naturally turned to the late Captain Gilbert Mair, N.Z.C., who was then living in our midst, to undertake the task of relating the story, and furnishing other relative historical facts, for it could truthfully bo said that throughout New Zealand no one more able could be found for such a work. He readily undertook it, with the result that we have here presented a story—or rather stories —-of that memorable engagement. Other historical events are interestingly told, and cannot fail to command that appreciation the manner of telling deserves. In forwarding the matter to the Editor the late Captain wrote: —• “I assume that you would wish to give a brief history of the interesting Ngaiterangi tribe, the career of which in the acts of diplomacy and great warlike courage, have been very remarkable, enabling it, under its warrior leaders, to win its way by strategy or desperate bravery along 300 miles of coast, through the most densely inhabited parts of New Zealand as at that time existing. “ I have brought in a few striking historic events, but excluding much interesting matter. This brings the date up to the eventful Gate Pa episode. Next comes ‘ The Battle of the Gate Pa —How the Ngaiterangi repulsed the Pakeha —A Maori Survivor’s Story,’ with a preface written, at my request, by Mr James Cowan. After a life long experience in such matters I declare this Maori-told story as the finest thing of its kind ever produced. It was related by my dear old Maori friend Hori Ngatai, or Taiaho, to a number of distinguished officials, including several Members of Parliament, at Wellington in 1903. “ Sir James Carroll, (the Native Minister) Hon. A. T. Ngata, LL.B. M.P., and other Maori experts, declared the narrative to have been absolutely correct, and in accordance with historic facts. Each sentence as uttered was translated by me, typed by the Hansard reporter, and placed on record. I kept a copy of the same from which this is written. “ This is the only known instance of an account written or dictated by a Maori, with the exception of the story of Orakau, translated by myself from the lips of the late Ngatiraukawa Chief Hitiri le Paerata, which an English writer lately quotes as “ An Epic.” “ I have always been struck with Taiaho’s comprehensive, modest and truthful account. I believe it will be a great feature in your publication.” Let it' therefore be understood, without further reference as to authorship. that the whole of the information on this page was furnished by the late Captain Gilbert Mair, N.Z.C.

This is a photograph taken iroin a painting showing the surrender of the Ngaiterangi at Tatiranga. The picture on the right is one of Tanranga or Te Papa in ISdt. The bottom illustration, as will he sioen. is a photograph of a plan and section of Pukehinahina. or Cate Pa.

troops landing there in January 1804. I should have staled that the tribal aphorism or hoast of the Ngaiterangi is “Raurukitabi ’ —one mind or pledge given never broken. This makes it easy to understand their chivalrous conduct during the war. Gats Pa, or Pukahinahina During his visit here General is if Andrew Russell reminded ns that the memory of the (late I’a was retained more vividly in military and naval circles than any other event in the Dominion. No satisfactory explanation has yet been given, how it happened that nearly two thousand men of tier Majesty's forces, the finest troops known, amply provided with the best artillery and arras of precision in the world, were signally defeated by less than two hundred and fifty Ngaiterangi warriors, whose only weapons consisted of old flint tower muskets, linimmagem double and single barrelled shot guns and long-handled tomahawks. TROOPS AUIMVK. Up to this time, the Ngaiterangi, as a tribe, had committed no overt acts against tin? Queen’s sovereignty , beyond permitting intermittent parties of young hot-hloods to join their kinsmen and hereditary allies then fighting against the Pakeha at A\afkaio, and though in general sympathy with the

ocl llenare Taratoa, who had been educated by Archdeacon (afterwards Bishop) Hadfiold of Otaki. Six weeks after the Gate Pa, Heuarc fell at Tc Ranga, and on his body were found copies of the chivalrous rules above ouoted, headed with the Scriptural injunction : —“lf thine enemy hunger, Joed him; if he thirst, give him drink.'-’ Many weeks passed and further accession of troops were made. Some of the officers used to go out .shooting on the Waimapu and Judea swamps, which brought a protest from Rawiri warning the General against permitting anyone under his command to wander at large, concluding by saying:—“ln future all the hills and plains, valleys and streams may be 1 Hidden on by our feet and should harm befall tlio.se persons the Maoris would be blamed unjustly.’’ IMiKU-MIX ARY SKI RMISII. The young men began to get weary of idleness and it was proposed to make an attack on the camp —a sort of feeler. Accordingly small detachments from the various defensive points collected, and a mild attack was made on the- camp. A gnu, accidentally discharged, wounded one of their number, which was considered an evil portent, and when the troops advanced in large numbers, opening lire Iroin 12-ponnd-er Armstrongs, the enemy retired, two soldiers only being wounded. A verbal message was sent to Te Papa, saying that as their position Inland was evidently too far off for the troops to march, the natives proposed to take up a position nearer Te Papa. The above skirmish-had occurred on April 2nd., and the next day the enemy was observed energetically entrenching on Pnkehinahina Ridge (a narrow neck where swamps from tho Waimapu and Waikareao branches of the harbour were about 300 yards apart). The missionaries bad built a deep ditch and high hank across, on which a. gate was placed ; hence the name of Gate Pa,

entirely unmolested, had converted a harmless looking grassy knoll into a work that was to test the calibre of British troops to the utmost. Probably there never was an instance in modern warfare where more deliberate and carefully conceived plans had been devised for securing a crushing defeat of the enemy. From the extended length of their front (over sixteen miles), the Gate Pa garrison never exceeded 230 men—General Rohley Is very emphatic on this point.

fell asleep. To Warn, the leading chief of Ngaitcrangi, crept unobserved upon his sleeping enemy and made him prisoner, leading him back to his own people where he released him saying : “now bind me and take me to the war party at Pilot Bay.” Boarding his own canoe which was at Waikareao, Te Morenga embarked and returned to the Ngapuhi who were preparing to hold a great feast on the three hundred slain that morning. They crowded round their leader endeavouring to kill his prisoner, but he said : “Wait till I relate ihow he treated me when I was at his mercy.” The Ngapuhi were so struck with admiration at Tc AVaru’s chivalrous conduct that they said “we cannot fight against suck a man as that. Let peace Jbe made between Ngapuhi and Ngaiterangi.’’Morevoer the bodies they had prepared to feast were all taken and placed in two caves on Mount Drury where they remained intact till the seventies, when the Europeans unfortunately discovered them, and they were scattered in sport to the four winds of heaven. Quite a large number of the skulls had bullet holes. This peace between the two ti’ibes was never broken till 1832, when a small, unauthorised war party of Ngapuhi. under the chief Te Haramiti, attacked Mayor Island and Motiti and were destroyed to a man. Ngapuhi made several attacks subsequently, but generally without much result, merely halfhearted attempts to obtain satisfaction for the loss of Haramiti’s lost war party. During the year 1828, three days after the “ Herald ’’ Mission schooner had sailed, Otaiuat-aha Pa (at Cemetery Point) was attacked by Te Eohu from the Thames. Seven hundred of the Ngatitapu were slain and a great number carried into captivity and Koraurau killed.

a-• ~. _ —— *7 T'HE brief history of the Native Tribes of Taurangaup to the year 1864, and the halite s of ‘Che Gate Pa and Te Ranga, were compiled by the late Captain Qilherl Mair from various ' authentic records; from information derived from officers and Maoris actually engaged, and from his own personal observations. Ini ——■ ~~a

On November 2m1., ITG9, the great navigator Captain James Cook, passed the harbour without discovering it, but he noticed a high bold headland (Mount Maunganui) which he assumed to be 'an island. The Endeavour sheltered for the night in Mawhai Bay. under Tuhua, which he named 'Mayor Island, the date being Lord Mayor’s Day. The group of small rocky, islets off Tairua he named The Court of Aldermen. Passing northward through the Day of Plenty (so nanrnd by Cook for its climate, abundance of fish and friendly character of the fn- ' habitants),'the voyagers noticed that they were in vast numbers, particularly between Whakatane and Mercury Bay, and on the small Maketu Point be that there were eleven thousand, lienee his name —Town PointFrom that time up to lo2», there is no record of any vessels prow cleaving' the waters of the . Day of Plenty. In that year the mission schooner “Herald."’ with the Rev. Henry (afterwards Archdeacon) Williams, James Hamlin - and Richard Davis; my father, the late Gilbert Mair, commanding, dropped anchor at Cemetery Point, or Te Papa; though that name embraces the whole of the country lying between the two branches of the harbour, Waimapu and Waikareao extending inland as far as Pukehiuahina, or Gate Pa, so called because the missionaries had dug a deep ditch - across the narrow neck and erected a gate. At that time Tatrranga must have"been-densely populated, as the visitors counted a thousand canoes, large and small on the shore between the mouth of the Wairoa and Te Papa. The principal pa’s were Otaraataha (Cemetery Point), belonging to Ngatapu under Koraurair, ■ Maungatapu held by Ngatilie. un- % dcr Kiharoa, Te Mutu and iuunari. and Utumoctai which he--

I’unolui, who died iu defence of Ler honour. Her body was hidden in a kumura pit, and the place still hears the name “Ohinekopiri” (the virgin maiden). After a long search, numbers of hawks disclosed where the body lay. Tatahau attacked the intruders, was slain, and his stronghold. Pukemaire Pa captured. Both sides having received a strong accession of numbers the battle of Poporohuamea, lasting several days was fought, which is believed to have been the bloodiest in the history of these islands. From his position on Pukemare, the aged chief, Te Eangihouhiri watched the fighting in the valley below, his son Tutengaehe, sending urgent appeals for assistance, but the father refused saying “Mana ano ia e whakaputa” (let him win his own battle and the honuor will be all the. greater). Just before ninht fall tidings were brought to the old man that his son had fallen. Gazing over the blood stained-plain, he cried out “Haereatu e Tami i runga tai po maku koe e whai atu a te tai awatea” (farewell o son, go you hence on the evening tide, I will follow on the morning ebb). The conflict was renewed at daybreak and Te Eangihouhiri fell in ths hour of victory; his prophecy had been fulfilled. From now on these people adopted the name of their fallen chief and were known as Ngai-te Eangihouhiri, which name has been shortened to Ngaiterangi. After numberless futile efforts by the combined inland Arawa tribes to retake Maketu only to bo defeated at the Kawa causeway with great loss, hence the name of that place—Kawa Kai tangi Papa (Kawa, the wailing place of the orphans), the whole of this fertile district remained in posession of the invaders lor over two hundred years, when it,was.reconquered by the combined Arawa through the taking of Te Tumu on May 7th. 1836, and finally occupied by them in 1836. Leaving a strong section of their people. the Ngaitiwliukahinga to hold Maketu (where they were found by Captain Cook living on Town Point in November, liG9). the Ngaiterangihouhiri moved northward, taking Mount Mauncranui and eventually dispossessing Wait alia. Ngatiranginui. Ngamarama and other pre-histor-ic occupiers.

Maori King movement, yet were living in perfect amity with the missionaries ami Europeans in their midst. But it was rumoured that a force ol fourteen or fifteen hundred well armed rebels from the East Capo districts, projected breaking through the loyal Arawa territory to join the ‘Waikato insurgents. This may have been one ot the factors that induced Governor Grey and his responsible Ministers to tak) strong measures. Accordingly on Juno 21st., 18C4, three men-o-war were seen entering the Whaugauui channel at Taurauga Heads, and shortly afterwards dropped anchor off Makotu Mount, now known as “The inauo-war Anchorage.'’ A force of seven hund"red men under Colonel (altenvards Brigadier-General) Carey were landed at Te I’apa in two small colonial vessels, the Corio Hu tons, ami the P.S. “Sandfly,” and immediately entrenched at the place known as “The Camp,” the natives in large numbers looking on with friendly curiosity and wonderment.

The old missionary ditch running across the ridge from swamp to swamp had been enlarged and strengthened. On the western slope, just on the crest of the ridge, a .small oblong redoubt about 25 paces by 18 had been built and garrisoned by the chief Hcta and twenty-six men of the Pirirakau, ILinginui and Ohoheriki tribes, then a dear space of about 30 paces intervened, consisting of the aforesaid ditch only. This gap had been left as the point of honour in expectation of six hundred Ngatihaua and Waikato natives—who. however, never came—occupying it. Here was constructed the citadel, or main work, extending eastward 10 or 50 paces, decreasing in (strength and width toward the eastern extremity, to where the ditch connected with the swamp and water supuly. 'The whole of the main works were enclosed by a single light fence lashed to two rails witji flax, the interior'being a network of traverses, covered nays and shelters, cleverly covered over with a scanty supply uf timber, ami blinded with flax and titrcc and earth, hardly any proper timber being available, except some house building material and a dismantled stockyard. • SHAM ATTACK LAUNCHED. On the afternoon of the 2Sth., General Cameron,’ having completed all arrangements, a sham attack was launched at the enemy’s position, and continued till dark, from which no casualties to either side resulted; but the Waimapu contingent, conceiving the attack to ‘ha real, rushed to join their countrymen, thus enabling General Greer, with about 700 men of the 08th Hegiment, to leave camp at !) p.m guided by a young settler, Mr A\ illiam Purvis, and travelling along the mudflats unobserved, they took up a position several hundred yards in the enemy's rear completely cutting off theii retreat inland. It was raining heavily, and throughout the night the 08th could hear the enemy talking in their trenches. About midnight, the General became anxious at receiving no report from Colonel Greer, so despatched Deputy Assistant QuartermasterGeneral Colonel Gamble, with a detachment of sixty blue-jackets from H.M.S. “Curaeoa,” under Lieutenant Charles Hotham (now Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Hotham), who, on finding the CBth stationed in their proper position, posted the naval detachment on the enemy’s extreme right, where they performed excellent service in preventing reinforcements coming in from the east, or making their escape from the Gate Pa during the attack next day. Colonel Gamble returned alone at dawn, reporting all well, much to the General’s satisfaction.

on our extreme right, where the contour of the ground sheltered it from the fire of the small redoubt; while 170 men of the 70th marched to the right under cover of batteries, and lay concealed in the fern to keep down the enemy’s fire, and later on to follow the stormers into the breach, while 200 of the 43rd, seamen and marine? under Captain C. F. Hamilton, H.M.S. “Esk,” comprised the reserve which was also to follow into the works. The covering party in the fern were only 100 yards, from the Pa. Iho signal—a rocket —having been fired, the storming party, four abreast, (two soldiers and two sailors), with their officers on the flanks, at once, with hurrahs and cheers, rushed at the double toward the, breach; tho two companies of the 70th opening up a tremendous fire, and the GBth, with answering cheers, closed up at tho rear with heavy lire. In a few minutes, ■ the .storming party, gallantly led by their officers, were in the centre of the Pa, The natives falling hack and endeavouring to escape at their rear, were driven in by the tremendous fire of tho 08th, and being (between two fires which must have inflicted losses on friend and foe alike, the natives sought shelter in their covered ways, traverses and underground shelters, from whence they opened a severe fire on our troops. At this time the enemy from their extreme right, were seen jumping and leaping as they rushed to attack our forces. It was now almost dark, and most.of the officers had fallen; the assaulting column supports and reserves were all crowded into a small space, and appeared to have lost control, ami a panic ensued, caused, it is said, by a subaltern calling out:—“My God, here they come in thousands.” Others again say the order “Retire! Retire!” was given, when tho disordered mass, instead of holding on to the earthworks already won, retreated, despite the heroic efforts of their gallant officers, who freely sacrificed their lives in their vain attempts to stein tho panic. General Cameron, from the nearest and most exposed point, with all Ids staff, believed the position had been won, and immediately ordered up the supports, led by Captain T. C. Hamilton and Captain (afterwards Commodore) ' Robert Jenkins, (the latter though senior, having consented to servo' under Ids junior officer). Captain Hamilton had only reached the second trench when he fell dead, and the whole force fell hack outside, the enemy pursuing, and with a severe cross lire from the detached small redoubt, taking a heavy toll of our men. General Cameron, having rallied Ids men, threw up earthworks within a hundred yards of the enemy’s position just about dark, and waited anxiously for daylight. Captain Jenkins and Dr .Manly were the last men to leave the I’a. Tho former had a very narrow escape through falling into ai deep trench full of Maoris who were so tightly packed they could neither load their

KAST COAST REBELS ARRIVE. About this time the large body of East Cape rebels above alluded’to, had landed from their war canoes at Otamarakau, and marched inland, but were driven back by the Arawa with severe loss from Tama, Rotoiki Lake, aften three days’ fighting. They resumed their march, and brushing aside the weak resistance of the Arawa, crossed the AVaihi lagoon, and took up a position facing Pukemaire Pa on the AA’hareo Tc Rangimarere ridge. Fired on hv loval natives, the Armstrong guns and .shelled by H.Af.S. “Falcon, M from seaward at .1000 yards, they were driven hack along the beach, followed by about 400 Arawa, who attacked them in the act of embarking at Otamarakan, and forced them to retreat, losing their finest war canoes, finally taking up a strong position along a deep stream from the foot of the 000 feet high cliffs to the sea beach, 150 yards in length, near where the Matata railway station is situated. This fight is known as the Kadkaoroa- (the “long ribs.”) - The Arawa, directed by their grand old chief, Told To-Urnangi, from the top of a smal sandhill, fell mortally wounded; then a brave young Tautpo chief, Para Pahupah,u, broke through the enemy’s line, killing two men with his Taiahn, when they were pursued as far as lUatata, where they lost the remainder of their canoes. Their total killed during this expedition was about 125 men, including their noted chief To Aporotanga. who was shot by Mata, the widow of Tohi To rniangi, in revenge for her husband. Ly this time tin- First AA aikato Regiment, under Colonel Harington, had arrived at Tc Rapa, increasing the force there to 2000 men.

In 1834-5 the English Church Mission was established at The Elms, Taurauga. Nevertheless, the whole of the Bay of Plenty became a battle ground, the Thames natives, Ngapuhi, Waikato and the Arawa taking part promiscuously. In 184~, Major Bunbury with a detachment of the Eighteenth Regiment, was sent to Taurauga with a view to curbing the Arawa tribes, ami encamped on Mount Drury. In 1845 peace was happily inaugurated between the contending parties, and a stone inscribed “Te Maungarongo 1845” (the peace making) was set up at Maketu, and at last, after a period of several hundred years, peace reigned supreme throughout the Bay of Plenty.

Shortly afterwards H.M.S. Miranda, with tho GBtli Durham Light Infantry under Colonel Menrant, and the 43rd under Colonel Booth, arrived, and directed by Colonel Mould, R.E., biuilt and garrisoned tho Durham and Monmouth redoubts respectively,; each being defended by 12 and G pounder Armstrong field pieces. ; Then the Flying Column- of 503 men. consisting of drafts from the 12tli 14th., oOth., Goth., and 70th.. under Major Ryan, arrived, also tho medical ambulance transport, and , all .other necessary services. NATIVE'S CHIVALROUS FIGHTING RULES. Prior to this the disaffected natives had held a general meeting at Potcriwhi (Port of Relief) at AVuiroa, and promulgated a most chivalrous and humane code to bo observed in tho fighting. They then dispersed to their icspective stations along their front, the edge of tho great forest;, extending sixteen miles from Jf’e Pima (where they confidently expected an attack owing to its deep water facilities) to the head of the AVaimapn, tv hero they re-built an old pa named AVaoku -(tho Silent Forest Shade). From here their leader, tho chief Rawiri Puhirake, despatched a formal message until ting the commanding officer of the position they had occupied, and that if; attacked there would accept the ordeal of battle. They further detailed the solemn rules for governing the lighting, ■namely, that civilians would nut ho interfered with, that soldiers , captured would be disarmed ami handed over to the authorities,-that even if .armed, and fled through fear to the House of God or the Priest they would not followed: the wounded would bo treated with kindness, and the dead would not be mutilated. Tlie .message further stated that with a view to selling the fatigue of the Queen’s soldiers, they hud prepared eight miles ot toad loading to AVaoku. These noblo sentiments wore written out by an enlightened young mission student nam-

THE ATTACK COMMENCES. At daybreak, ou the 29th, fire was opened on the enemy’s position, which continued without intermission till noon, when a C-pounder Armstrong held piece, having lieeii taken across the swamp and placed in position on a high ridge, it completely enfiladed the enemy’s left*defences, crumpling them up to the small redoubt on the crest of tho hill aforesaid. Up to that time, our lire had been directed at the flagstaff ou a rise 00 yards in the rear, ant? not having been effectual ,the range w.ls shortened and all gulls concentrated ou the right hand corner of the main citadel. At times our fire was rather wild, but the practice of 21-poundcr howitzers, 8-inch mortars, and G-inch cohorns, under Captain Smith. 11. A., was admirable, the continuous rain converting the light soil of the defences into mud, and the slender fences were soon demolished. About 0 p.m. the 110 pounder ceased firing, having expended 100 rounds. Later on a considerable tody of the enemy attempted to escape on their extreme right, hut the GSth extended and supported by Lieutenant Hotham’s Naval Brigade, they were driven back with considerale loss. At -1 p.m. tho assaulting column of 1-jO men of the 13rd., under Colonel Booth, and tho same number of the Naval Brigade led by-Command-er Hay, H.M.S. "Harrier,” formed up

longed to Ngaiterangi proper under To Warn. Tupaea, Taharaugi and Kikareia ; but the shores the harbour and Maiakana Island as far as Katiknti were closely inhabited, probably bv ten thousand men. women and children.

r;iC\KI!AL ( A-ME!!OX PEACHES TAG RANG A. On April 21st., General Cameron and staff arrived by H.M.S. ‘desk,’ ;iml on the 2«1h.. 000 navaL ami marines were disembarked from 11. M.'' ■ “Miranda." “Curaeoa," "Esk." and “Harrier." Also one ]lO-pouiukr Armstrong 'gun. and two -10-pounder Armstrong guns from the "Esk," which with fourteen oilier guns, landed previously. wore taken out by 800 troops to within easy distance of the Gate pa and fixed in emplacements on Pukcreia (Green Hill), and other points of advantage. Light defences were erected around the guns which were carefully blinded by newly cut fern. GATE PA DEFENCES ERECTED. During the interval from their first occupation of the Gate Pa, the rebels, energetically assisted by their women folk in the heaviest work, and being

A brief history of the ancestors nf the Tanranga native? prove interesting who about H6O rears a fro. were living in the for--tile Opoliki vallevs. when they expelled southward to Gable - Fnd Foreland. ’AVhaugarei, after ' which, by diplomacv and sheer 1 courage. they travelled no the coast under Pangilionhirl, hi? nephew and son Tamapahore and - Tutengaehe, settling at Puke- ■ hina. ' After being hospitably treated by Tat alum and the descendants of some of those who* e*anie in the Arawa canoe. who f.i»re the landing there had oecnpied flic trludp of ilio fountry. A punibor of them violently assaulted Tatahau’s only daughter.,

'For Ngaiterangi and Tauranga a new era of prosperity had dawned. Wars and rumours of wars had ceased entirely, only to he rudely enacted in 1804 when numbers of the young men of the tribe, actuated by a love of adventure and the desire to help their kinsmen and old allies, joined the disaffected natives fighting against the Queen’s troops in Waikato, which induced Governor Sir George Grey and his responsible Ministers to send a punitive expedition to Tauranga, the

In 1820 the ■Ngaiterangi wore nltacked by Ngapubi under To Morenga. a battle taking place at Pilot Bay where over three hundred were slain. An act of chivalry sav ed the Tauranga people from practical extinction, _ they being without guns while the invaders were well armed. It happened this way: The leader of the Ngapuhi was out scouting at Otumoetai and sat down_ under a ngaio tree near Matuniwi when he

lA. Home of large Maori Population Tauranga was one of Earliest Centres of Missionary Endeavour. Later came the troub.ous tunes of the -sixties, with the Memorable Engagement 5

TAUUAXGA IX GUO UXD IN 1

guns, nor use their lung-bandied tomahawks. Meanwhile lie belaboured them viciously, with his long heavy naval spying glass and uttering terrible yells, which quite unnerved them. 'I he remains of the spy-glass were returned to him after the fight. At midnight, .Major Greaves, creeping up to tile works, reported that he believed the enemy had retired, and at d a.m. a sailor belonging to H.M.S. ‘‘Harrier,” entered and found the place had been abandoned by the defender:-), who had crept through .spaces tweeu the lines of the GSlh during the darkness. A SAG SPECTACLE. When the troops took possession in the morning a sad spectacle presented itself. A correspondent (Mr "Wilkinson) thus describes the scene: —“Three men of the 43rd L.I. were lying dead against the inner paling of the lonce. On entering the Pa, within a few yards the bodies of four Captains of the 43rd were lying, and further on in line with the others, Colonel Jlooth of the same regiment was leaning against the rear palisade of the Pa. his spine smashed by a big Tower musket hall, and his arm broken. He was still living, and on being carried out saluted his General, and expressed his regret at not having succeeded in carrying out his orders. Officers of the ships were lying stark dead in line with the others in the same trenches, and as they were alone must have been in advance of their men and tell while nobly leading them. Captain Hamilton, H.Af.S. “risk.” and Captain Muir of the 43rd, lay in the same trench, having fallen while leading their men. Captain Hamilton, of the 43rd., was lying against the fence, and was slid breathing. He had been mortally wounded am! left lying in the Pa °d night amongst the enemy. Close -by him were the bodies of Captains Glover and Ultertou "of the same regiment. In the centre rifle pit lay Lieutenant Hill of H:M.S;" “Curacoa,'' who was the senior surviving officer of H.M.S. ‘*otpheus,” lost un the Manukau Bar, lehruary 7th.. 18(53. Pour Hill load livtd long enough to hind up bis wounds , with strips of his handkerchief, though shot through the centre of the neck and both cheeks. The dead body of a sailor lay in the second trench, the head split iu two across the face by ,l tomahawk blow, entirely emptying the brain. The Gunner of H.M.S. •‘Muamia,'’ (Mr "Watt) had his hcadseuued from crown to lower jaw by one y ,lt from a tomahawk, the cut passing straight through the nose. Caplin Hamilton, H.M.S. lay with a gun shot wound in the temple through which the brain was protruding, hut still alive.' 1

The rings, watches, money, tri»ket> and clothing, etc. of our dead. ncre n, t touched. This was the finest action *’ the enemy through the struggle. - u one expected it, or could have belie]® 1 that the exultant rebels would

«nt at Gate Pa as the central feature. To-day may be seen many spots of interest associated with earlier days, as well as Monuments to Pakeha and Maori, who fought and died :

, from satiating their passion for revenge, i by mutilating the helpless bodies. But i thank Cod ;it was not so. Theyi had o' previously determined on a chivalrous - anil honournlilo method of carrying on i- ■ the war, and most scrupuously observed it. ' TREATMENT OF THJ'. DEAD AND e WOUNDED. The wounded Maoris were taken to s hospital on stretchers for treatment, - several dying there. Iteweti, the scc- » oud chief in command, had seven bul- ; let wounds and both legs broken. Rawiri Puhirake, during the bombardment, strode fearlessly up and down the parapets, calling out to the Britl ish gunners at cadi shot: —“Tena tena t o uudii i to main,” (go on with your work, do your worst), and to his coun- > trymen ho would give cheer, saying;— I “Kia uto manawareve,” (he linn o trembling hearts, he linn;) One i - Maori had been cut in two by a shell, 1. theihcad, trunk and extremities having >■ been carefully collected and laid with s the remaining dead in the Pa. Another > native had his skull cloven by the black ! Sailor of the “Miranda.” He had al- , ready done good" service during the - war, but fell dead further on. Mr I Watt (gunner of H.M.S. “Miranda”) ; had cut down with his cutlass the 11ap live who had shot Captain Hamilton of > H.M.S. “Eskv" Another seaman from the same vessel chased and bayonettccl > a native outside the Pa, but was iuti mediately shot. "Samuel Mitchell, of ». H.M.S. “Harrier,” was recommended • for the Victoria Cross for bringing out Commander Hay. Seriously wounded. i Horn the I’n. Captain C,lover was f shot while bringing away the body of i • his younger brother. The latter was at t Makctu on duty, where a detachment r of fifty men of ilie.OSth and Uird had i been sent to protect the Makctu sot- ’ , tleuient. They occupied the line I’uke- ’ maire Pa above the village, placing 1 C-pounder Armstrong field pieces in ( the angles. Having heard that his > elder brother was one of the forlorn ■ hope, Lurried to Tauranga without leave and joined in the assault. His t brother, who came cut unscathed, on 1 hearing hi.s younger brother was iiiiss--1 ■ »ug exclaimed:—“l must iind where s ledtly is. or what would mother say." ■ He wont hack into the works alone ‘ and was shot—an act of fraternal at- • fectiou which cost the Queen two gal--1 la nt soldiers. Unly twenty dead were found in the Pa. but nine more were collected, uiak- ’ ing twenty-uine who were buried on . the west side of Cameron Hoad, be- ‘ tween it and the swamp in the grove 1 of trees there. A fortnight afterwards 1 Piwharaugi, another Ngaiterangi, was ’ found and placed with the others, makJ ug thirty in all. The Venerable 1 .Archdeacon Brown coudneted the ser- : vice. No stone marks these gallant dead. \\ hen the fatigue party were ’ faying the dead, in one grave, the f Maoris, who cams iji at the General's 1 invitation, objected, making the sold-

levs place the plebiaus first, then laying the chiefs across their breads, saying:— ‘'Kati ano kia Waiho hei whariki im> a matou rangatira (It is 'veil that they should be a couch whereon our chiefs may rest!. Including those who died from wounds, subsequently, 1 should put the total Maori loss at about forty-five.

UXEOHESEEX CONTINGENCIES. Itegarding the debacle of the Date Pa, the position was practically in our hands when three nnforseen contingencies arose. Darkness (which might have been obviated) being certainly one. Had the most ordinary forethought been used of ascertaining the exact range for the heavy artillery, a better breach might then have been made several hours before, and a largo <iuantity of expensive ammunition expended to better purpose. The big loGlb shells fired from the 1101 b Armstrong guns had concussion detonators, and coming into contact with light earth failed to explode, but, after ricochctting fell harmlessly miles beyond. It was a fatal mistake delivering the attack so late in the day: the rain and battle smoke combining to destroy all visibility.

It is also agreed that an uinniscd force would have shown greater cohesion and unity of purpose. There was no reason apparent why, with the largo force available, a counter demonstration could not have been made against the eastern and western portion of the rebel position, to be pressed home or not. It seems certain that immediately the assault developer! the enemy concentrated at the portion threatened. KILLED AND BOUNDED The British easunlities numbered more than one-third of the total lorco composing the storming party. Ten officers were killed or died from wounds. Of non-commissioned officers and privates, twenty-one were killed and seventy-six wounded. Total killed and wounded, one hnndcrd and eleven officers and men. The 43rd. Hegimont lost their colonel, four captains and one lieutenant, and two ensigns were severely wounded. Among the killed were two brothers. Captain ami Lieutenant Glover, soils of that distinguished Colonel Glover, who rendered sueh important assistance to General Sir Garnet AVolsely at the taking of Comassic. Nearly all the naval brigade officers were killed or wounded, viz., killed; Captain Hamilton. (H.AI.S. Esk. Lieutenant Hill (H.AI.S. Curaeoa). Air AVatt. gunner. (H.AI.S. Miranda); wounded; Commander Hay—mortally (H.AI.S. Harrier), Lieutenant Haminick—severely (H.AI.S. Aliranda), Lieutenant Duff-severe—H.Al.S. Esk. 13rd ileginvent—Killed: —Captain 11. C . Glover, Captain Aluir. (tomahawk). Captain H. Hamilton, Captain A. E. I'ltorton. Lieutenant C. Langland, Colonel Booth (mortally) spine smashed. right arm broken. Licutena«t T. G.

F. G lover (mortally), Ensign 44 . Clarke (severely), Ensign S. P. I'- Nicholls (slightly.) TROOPS EMPLOYED IX ATTAC K. (Taken from General Cameron s 01ficial Despatch.) Cl lief of Staff—l field officers, 1 subaltern. Medical Staff—2 field officers, 1 subaltern. Naval Brigade—-1 field officers, G captains, 7 subalterns, 3G sergeants, d drummers, 371 rank and hie. Boyal Artillery—l field officer, 1 captain. 3 subalterns, 2 sergeants, 13 rank and file. Boyal Engineers—'2 rank and file. Moveable Column—l field officer, 2 captains 3 sifbalterns, 7 sergeants, 4 drummers, IG4 rank and file. 13rd Begiment —1 field officer, 5 captains, d subalterns, 20 sergeants, 12 drummers, 2-jO rank and file. GStb Begiment—3 field officers, G captains, Id subalterns. 37 sergeants, 21 drummers, G-jO rank and file. in addition to which were the hirst Battalion and First 41 aikato Bogiment, about six or eight hundred strong. Artillery—l. 110-poundcr Armstrong; 2, 10-pounder Armstrongs; 2, G-poundei- Armstrongs; 2, 21pounder howitzers; 2, 8-inch mortars; and 6 cohorn mortars. Total Id guns, FRATERNISING 4VITII THE NATIVES. During the several months our troops were stationed in To Papa prior to actual hostilities, the Tommies, aye, all the officers too, had closely fraternised with the hospitable and chivalrous Ngaiterangi, and a strong mutual regard and admiration had grown up between the two races; hence, as the hour of battle drew nearer, none of the Imperial troops looked forward to it with eagerness ami enthusiasm. 4Vhother this feeling had any co-rela-tion to the subsequent defeat I cannot say, but certain it is that the men had gloomy anticipations and all felt the deep seriousness and uncertainty of the adventure they were about to participate in. This being so, the greatest care was exercised by the

General and staff in selecting the assaulting column, the details of which wore known at least two days previously. The Venerable Archdeacon Brown, n courtly scholarly English gentleman, loyal to his Queen, yet deeply attached to his native flock, most of whom ho had baptised and taught during 35 years of his incumbency, had a difficult role to fill. Yet his integrity and impartially were never questioned, and ho and his tender-hearted wile, in their beautiful home, exercised a noble influence over the young officers, as was evidenced by the many touching and grateful letters they received h> after years when those young men had attained high rank and grown into war-worn warriors in other climes. It was my privilege to peruse these attributes of affection. The same gracious solicitude prompted the Archdeacon and his .wife to invito those chosen to lead the assault to a special service and supper on the evening ol April 28. All who could attend did so, including the General himself. Dr Manly, who had a high reputation as a surgeon whom I know very, well through meeting him frequently at Bishop’s Court, and my sisters in Darnell, was, I believe, tho only one present on that historic occasion, who ca,mc out alive. Ho used to speak with deep emotion of the beautiful addeess made by tho Archdeacon during that memorable evening. Ho won tho Victoria Cross next day for having remained in tho Pa in his endeavour to save a soldier from bleeding to death, and had to fight his way out. shooting with his revolver, it is said, a native .chief who tried to take him prisoner. Medical men in those days were ranked as combatants and bore arms. It was before tho Geneva Conference.

The last message sent in hy the rebel leader was an intimation to the General that if nothing occurred ho proposed to go into To Papa for breakfast. Our attack was made the next day and the Maoris believed that this note hastened the climax. Rawiri I’uliirake was experiencing the greatest difficulty in keeping his young men together during such a long period of inactivity.