FARIHAKA CHARGES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LV, Issue 9514, 21 June 1927, Page 4

FARIHAKA CHARGES

A VIGOROUS REPUDIATION TARANAKI MAN’S RECOLLECTIONS. Mr M. O'Brien, of Opunuke, writes to Hie laruiutki Daily News the following breezy account of his experiences at i’unliaka and repudiation of the chaiges made by some of the Maori witnesses at the commission which took evidence in connection with the conliscution, etc., of Maori lands in the early days;— Statements and letters have recently appeared in your’eolumns, and in other papers regarding alleged looting and misconduct of the old Armed Constabulary Force on the occasion of the entry of New Zealand troops into the Rarihuka I’a under the control of the late Hon. John Bryce and his officers many years ago. Let me here digress and slate that Ihe New Zealand Armed Constabulary Force was constituted by the Armed Constabulary Act, 1867, and repealed in 1886. The force then embraced all Colonial forces, then existing in New Zealand, except the “Militia,” and included men doing police duty in the towns. All were Aimed Constabulary men. On the departure from New Zealand of the Imperial troops many men resigned from (heir regiments, and joined the Armed Constabulary Force, and recruiting for the force commenced. The first Commissioner of the Force was Mr St. John Brannigan, a Dublin man, a soldier, and a great organiser. The chief officers were Von Tcmpsky, .Colonel Macdonald, and others. I have read Mr Dalton’s letter in your issue of May 6, also Mr Thomas McCoy’s letter in a former issue. Both narratives are substantially correct. I have not the pleasure of knowing Mr Dalton, but I well remember Tom McCoy of No. 7 Company, a man big m mmd and stature. Qu the occasion in question 1 was at Parihaka as a member of No. 4 Company, Armed Constabulary Force, commanded by the late Captain Newall, New’ Zealand Cross, afterwards Colonel Newall, a ' tearless oilicer, and a Scottish gentleman, whose name is perpetuated in Egmont county as follows; Newall Riding, Newall Road, Newall school. Many men of the Force wore the Victoria Cross, and the New Zealand Cross. 1 was tnea 18 years of age, and, of course, I remember well all that 1 saw and heard at Parihaka on that day, but no one man could see ah dial took place. The pa unrj its grounds were large, and contained about 25,000 Maoris, ;aind .\va.s encircled by about 3,600 ’armed men, us follows: about 1500 Aimed Constabulary men, and 2000 volunteers with four guns (held artillery), John BryCe, on his white horse, directing operations. There were also present about 1000 camp followers, civilians, and sightseers. At that time it was well-known that the Maoris had many rifles, lakch from dead soldiers, and the authorities were anxious to gel possession of these. The dead 1 todies wore always found, but never the rifles or accoutrements. After Te Whitl’s arrest, No. 4 and othec companies were ordered into the pa to • search for rifles, not for loot. A most careful search was made under the eyes of Captain Newall and Ids sergeants, and by the other companies under their officers and sergeants, but no rifles wore found. A largo number of .fowling pieces were found. These were sent to the Opunake Redoubt. Even if men were inclined to steal it could not be done without the officers and sergeants seeing it. Wc had, however, one thief amongst us. After the search this man concealed a double-barrel fowling piece. His mates insisted that he give up the gun. He refused. His comrades reported the matter, and gave evidence against him, and he was sentenced to a term of hard labour in New Plymouth gaol. Was this the conduct of looters' and thieves? Goodness knows there was little at Panhaka that day worth taking. The poor Maori people had little of the world's goods except their lands. The flax mat was about all the clothing they hud. Hals or boots were not used. The mat, however supplied the need of short frocks for the ladies. After the search there was general confusion. We withdrew to seek shelter tor the night, and to mount strong guards and pickets. We had no tents. Then the camp followers and the others rushed into the pa without any supervision whatever. The doors of the huts were open. The Maoris ; were all on the meeting square. The volunteers also entered the pa. If looting occurred it could be done with safety then. The men of the Armed Constabulary Force were above and beyond looting. Very many of the rank and file afterwards rose to high positions of trust and otherwise in the Government service of New Zealand and Australia. The late Colonel Malone and .the late Major James O’Sullivan being two of our comrades. Another entered Parliament for Christchurch. ’Many others became inspectors ana superintendents of police m New Zealand wild in Australia, Governors ot gaols and so on, commanders and .instructors an the old Volunteer Force. Very nifmy others were, and some still are, successful settlers on this coast, and who can with truth say tiiat any of them were dishonest dr dishonourable men? The contrary is the case. Tiie people of Taranaki arc deeply indebted to the men of the Aimed constabulary Force. The chiel officers, in command at at Parihaka were Co.’lonel Roberts, New Zealand Cross, Captain Newall, New Zealand Cross; Major Gudgeon, Major Goring and Major Tuke. There were also present Major Mair, Major Scanned and Major Northcrofl. The latter three were then acting; resident-magistrates. U was then said, they smelt powder (which they loved,) and just blew in to see what the row was about. I must again revert to the volunteers and looting. Cme company of naval volunteers had tor be deported to Rahotu for killing and eating Maori cattle and, other misconduct. Immediately after To Whili’s arrest a reduction in the strength of the Armed Constabulary Force commenced, and was continued until every man with a black mark or complaint against him was dismissed from the service. I was at Parihaka from the day we entered until the day wc abandoned the camp, a period of three years, during which time I never saw Maori women or children ill-treat-ed or insulted, unless it was when 1 maidens lingered ’unduly in the vicinity of the camp ostensibly listening to the music of the band. On such occasions the ladies ware ordered off by the ser--geants. I anr. told that ladies o.f every colour the world over are partial to soldiers. The wives of. officers and the

wives of same of the sergeants ami men lived in the camp, that splendid lady, Mrs Major Goring, being their leader. We sometimes thought that they were the real commanders-in-chief o! the camp. Lord help any man that was accused of misbehaviour. No secrets could ho Jtcpl. .Murder will out! Little misconduct occurred at the camp. Major Goring and his officers kept us engaged every ' afternoon m manly sports. Our good sergeant-major, Mr William Wliyto, now living in retirement at Manala, on Saturday afternoons in his rod coat led his pack of harriers in full cry, shouting “tally-ho;’' with Major Goring close up, and wc after them on Maori crocks, falling heels over head. Mrs Goring and her lady assistants organised concerts, theatrical entertainments, and military balls, not the military hops that we hear of nowadays. Oh, for these days again! Cocktails and cigarettes were not in evidence in those days. Happy did the settlers’ families consider themselves when they received an invitation to these entertainments. 1 1 have written this statement in defence'only of my dead comrades’, memory. Those of us still alive are able to defend ourselves where necessary.