Memorial to resident killed defending gear

Press, 8 March 1988, Page 37

Memorial to resident killed defending gear

A memorial •. to a Moriori resident killed defending his fishing gear at Rangikapua Beach in 1791, has been unveiled on the Chatham Islands. The memorial to Torotoro, was placed near the spot on the beach where he was said to have been shot by soldiers of the armed tender "Chatham.” The memorial was dedicated by a Moriori descendant, the Rev. Rewai Preece. and unveiled by a fifth generation Chatham islander. Mr Laurie Smylie. Mr

Smylie has been manager •of the Kaingaroa Station for the last 32 years. Three 4.2 metre-high curved wooden panels, (or “sails”) cover a whaling tripot from the former Waikeri whaling station nearby, which closed in 1846. The panels consist of 55 pieces of laminated American Cedar. The first panel of the memorial is inscribed with details of the fateful (events of 1791. The (second panel records the <22 known residents of Kaingaroa, who were drowned in the area, as

- - 11. well as three bigger ships which sank near Kaingararoa. The final panel records the arrival of Lieutenant W. R. Broughton, who landed and look possession of the Island of Rekohu in the name of King George 111. His men are said to have . shot the Moriori, known as Torotoro, during a skirmish after landing on the island. The memorial was erected by the Chatham Island company. Barker Bros, Ltd, of I Kaingaroa.