SCENE OF WAIRAU MASSACRE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28025, 20 July 1956, Page 11

SCENE OF WAIRAU MASSACRE

MUSEUM GIVEN COPY OF OLD PLAN A very clear framed photostat cony of a plan showing the scene of the Wairau massacre in 1843 has been presented to the Canterbury Museum by Mr G. R. Macdonald. The plan, which is drawn to scale and signed by Charles shows the immediate site of the massacre and the surrounding area. The plan shows the Incation of native huts on the Wairau plain and also that Ba r nicoat and Thnmnson’s station. Messrs Earnicoat nnd Thompson are described as land surveyors.

The legend on the plan describes bow on June 17 1843. Captain Arthur Wakefield. Mr Thompson, and 24 other whi+e settlers were tomahawked by Te Rauoaraha. Rangahieta. and a large bnflv o f natives. Only Mr chief surveyor. and two others escaped. Setting out to the coast and boarding a Government bri< the survivors sailed at once for Wellington.

The settlers there, not knowing the rest of the partv had been killed, at once formed a bodv o r armed vnluntpors under Colonel Wakefield. Messrs Charles Clifford. St. Hill, and Snain to sail for th® Wairau and endeavour tn rescue them. At the entrance of the harbour Ihev met so violent a storm that they had to anchor for 24 hours.

‘‘lt thought to be tno late to be of use. the volunteers landed, leaving the above-named gen‘lemen to proceed to Port Underwood to inquiries.” says the legend. “Here

thev heard the full details of the massacre. and ascertained that the natives h»d comp down to the coast and at nnr O denar+ed in th°ir canoes for Wajkanai. Te “Paunaraba’s residence in the Nnr*h Tclaod. Th® brig th®n landed its nar‘v at the Wairau mouth. *’hn proceeded in whal® boats un the river to the scene of the massacre, where thev found and assisted Mr Eonsidp missionarv) and hie partv in looking for and burying the dead.”

The ori mnal plan is pt hurst by Mr J. B. Douglas-Clifford.