NINETY YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 8

NINETY YEARS AGO

Fall of Ruapekapeka Pa

SIR GEORGE GREY’S MANA

.Saturday-marked the ninetieth anniversary of the capture of the Ruapekapeka Pa near the Bay of Islands by British troops and friendly natives, a victory which although it virtually ended the northern Maori war reflected less credit On the victors than on the vanquished. It was early in 3845, says the “Herald,” that Hone. Heke, in the course of his successful rebellion, had four times cut down the flagstaff at Kororareka, and in July of that year the British, under Colonel Despard, experienced a humiliating and disastrous defeat in attempting to storm Heke’s pa at Ohaeawai. Well-equipped Force. > The appointment of Captain, afterward Sir George, Grey to succeed Cap tain Fitzroy as Governor entirely altered the aspect of the situation which had been so menacing for the infan! colony. Having failed to obtain the submission of the rebels he immediately set about ending the war. He assembled a well-equipped force of Europeans and native allies to the number of 1500 and advanced in person upon Kawiti’s stronghold of Ruapekapeka (or the Bat’s Nest). High in the air on the side of a thickly timbered hill, it was curtained by a double palisade of beams 18ft. high by 2ft. thick, and strengthened by flanking ledoubts, ditches and traverses, honeycombed witli rifle-pits and bomb-proof chambers below ground.

. After a special road had been constructed the attackers began a vigorous bombardment with all their big guns. Before any breach was made Colonel Despard, who was in charge, would have ordered an assault and repeated the previous disaster at Okalhau had not the chief Mohi Tawhai with great difficulty dissuaded him from so reckless and futile an expenditure of life. The pa’s defences were much broken when Heke, who had not recovered from a previous wound, arrived with 70 men and urged the d_efenders to retire to the bush where the big guns could not follow. Only Kawiti and a few men remained. New Governor’s Mana. The end came on January 11, 1846. The day was Sunday, and, not expecting au attack on that day, the Maoris kept no watch. While Heke’s people and most of the soldiers were at prayer, Waka Nene’s brother, Patuone, discovered that the pa was ill-defended, and signalled up his people. The stronghold was at once rushed by Maoris, followed by soldiers and sailors, lhe Insurgents, after a plucky effort to retake their own fortress, fled with loss. The attackers’ casualties were but 43. So decisive a blow established the mana of the new Governor, and convinced tlie rebels of the futility of resistance. Heke, weakened by his wound, sued for peace. Even tough little Kawiti wrote to the Governor that he was “full ” Grey showed a wise leniency and on a free pardon being granted the rebellion collapsed. It never broke out again among the North Auckland tribes Eor their invaluable services in this war Tamati Waka Nene and his brother Patuone were pensioned by the Government.