CANTERBURY CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL RESERVE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22439, 28 June 1938, Page 13

CANTERBURY CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL RESERVE

co thb eon ob o» m press. Sir, —In “The Press” to-day there appears a letter by Mr A. L. Haylock, a member of one of the oldest families in the Akaroa district, and as we are known to each other, it is with reluctance I differ regarding his suggestion of having Takapuneke as a centennial reserve. The history quoted is quite correct, and to Canon J. W, Stack we owe that. The reserve and memorial at Green’s Point commemorate the mission of H.M.S. Britomart and all the .incidents connected therewith, and are, I think, sufficient. Standing on Green’s Point and looking over Red House Bay (Takapuneke) persons with finer feelings must feel satisfaction at viewing to-day so peaceful a scene covering over, as it. were, one of the most diabolical events in the history of New Zealand. I refer to the so-called massacre of the Maori inhabitants of Takapuneke, Massacre is in this instance but a polite name for murder, as the people did not have a sporting chance of fighting for their lives: and inhuman Europeans played an-inglori-ous part. Onawe is in another category; it was a place of fair fight, and whispers of treachery by a certain Kaiapoi chief in no way detracts from its character as a place cherished by the Maori people. At least one descendant of Takatahara. the defender of Onawe. has voiced-tome the hope the place (Onawe) will ,be reserved and gazetted in a similar way to Kaiapohia. When division of opinion occurs the consequence is usually nothing done. We are still as pakehas forgetting we owe much to the Maoris of the South Island, who allowed us peaceful occupation of their lands. In Onawe Peninsula reservation we can return kindness, a little brotherly love, a fitting centennial effort.—Yours, etc.. W. A. TAYLOR. June 27. 1935.