BOULCOTT FARM

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 12, 9 October 1928, Page 17

BOULCOTT FARM

NEW SCHOOL ON BATTLE SITE.

“This school stands on historic ground,” remarked Mr. T. M. Wllford in opening the Boulcott School at Lower Hutt yesterday afternoon. “It is a part of Boulcott Earm, on which an attack was made at daybreak on the morning of May 16, 1846, by 200 Maori warriors under the command of Rangihaeata. The attack had been expected a week before it eventuated, and though Te Rauparaha and others had given warning to the authorities that such an attack might take place, no definite action was taken by the authorities to prepare for Rangihaelat.'ds advance.

“At daybreak on the morning of May 16, a sentry on guard, catching sight of a Maori in the distance, fired, and running to the picket tent, gave the alarm. It was then that young Allen, whose brave deed will never be forgotten, ran outside the tent and blew a sharp alarm on his bugle. While in the act of blowing that alarm he was tomahawked in the right shoulder by one of the Maori fighters, and fell wounded and bloody to the ground. His arm was almost severed from his body; nothing daunted him, however, and keeping cool and collected, he seized the bugle in his left hand and again attempted to blow a warning, and while in the act of so doing his head was split open by a tomahawk and he fell dead to the ground.

“By this time, however, the garrison of 45 had been aroused. Hurriedly taking up any positions, they made their stand against the 200 Maori warriors. In the middle of the engagement seven of the Hutt Militia gallantly came to the aid of their comrades, and the Maoris, who had reckoned on taking the 45 Europeans by surprise, seeing the stubborn opposition and hearing the shouts of the Militia men who had arrived, and not knowing how many more were coming, retired from the field. “Six whites were killed, and of four wounded two died some days later. The Maori losses were never known, as they carried off all who fell.” A stone monument. Air. Wilford explained. at the entrance of the old Military road, had recently been erected to mark the gallant defence of the small band of whites to whom he had referred.