The Wairau “Incident”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29049, 11 November 1959, Page 7

The Wairau “Incident”

Sir,—ln “The Press” of November 4, a Press Association report headed “Wairau Massacre Not Included,” said a depiction of the Wairau Massacre was to have been part of the historical pageant at the Marlborough centennial celebrations, but was subsequently deleted from the programme. The Marlborough Historical Society, after intensive research into the history of this affray of June 17, 1843, has for a considerable time endeavoured to educate all to a proper perspective and nomenclature. All references and recordings are now noted as the “Incident” of the Wairau. I consider it rather unfortunate that in two good articles by Mr H. A. H. Insull on the Marlborough centenary, the phrasing, “Wairau Massacre,” was unduly stressed, without qualification. Captain Wakefield’s brother (the founder of Wellington) referred to this as the “unfortunate incident.” A brass tablet was placed in the cathedral at Nelson to commemorate the incident and was worded “In memory of those who were killed at the yVairau, 17th June, 1843.”—Yours, etc., R. V. BYTHELL. Blenheim, November 7, 1959.