FIND NEAR SCENE OE WAIRAU MASSACRE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 206, 28 May 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

FIND NEAR SCENE OE WAIRAU MASSACRE

Skeleton Of Maori Woman

POSSIBLY THAT OF WIFE OF TE RANGIHAEATA

By Telegraph—Press Association. Blenheim, May 26. A discovery which appears to be of historical importance was made near the scene of the Wairau Massacre, at Tuamarina yesterday afternoon when Main Highways Board workmen engaged in widening a corner below Masascre Hill unearthed the skeleton of a Maori woman believed to be that of Princess Te Ronga, whose death precipitated the massacre. It is considered that the skeleton is between 90 and 100 years old and the skull bears a bullet hole which gives rise to the theory that the reihains are those of Princess Te Ronga, daughter of Te Rauparaha and wife of Te Rangihaetea, Te Rauparaha’s lieutenant.

According to the history of the massacre, Te Ronga was killed by a chance bullet fired by one of the white party, and in the ensuing fight and massacre 22 Europeans lost their lives.

This morning the remains were examined by Dr. W. E. Redman and Mr. W. J. Elvy, both students of Maori history. Dr. Redman positively identified the skeleton as that of a female between 25 and 30 years of age. Around the neck was a greenstone tiki pendant of unusual design, a crude representation of a head. Significantly enough, an ancient bullet found at Tuamarina some years ago, which was produced this morning, fitted the bullet hole in the skull. Appearances indicate that the burial was carried out hurriedly. The skeleton was found about two feet below the surface, lying on its left side and facing east. It was trussed in the usual way, with the knees and hands drawn up toward, the chin.

TUAMARINA FIGHT

The Unfortunate Conflict At The Wairau

The outcome of a tangled chain of circumstances, the Wairau Massacre, in June, 1843, resulted from a dispute between Maori and pakeha over the ownership of the Wairau Plain. This fertile area, then heavily bushed, was held by the Ngatltoa chief, Te Rauparaha, by right of , conquest. Ho made no move to use it, other than as a hunting-ground for wild pigs, and sold it for a ship’s cannon to a whaler of the name of Blenkinsopp. Afterward he denied knowing the full meaning of the document which be had signed, his version being that he had bought the gun by providing the barque Caroline with wood and water.

However that may have been, Blenkinsopp held an agreement signed by the chief, which on his death passed into the hands of a Sydney‘lawyer. A party of settlers was sent down from Sydney, 'but when they left Port Underwood for the Wairau they disappeared, 'believed murdered by tho Maoris.

Meantime, Colonel Wakefield, on behalf of the New Zealand 'Company, purchased from the widow Blenkinsopp a copy of the document, and on this based a claim to ownership of the plain. This Te Rauparaha contested, and the matter was laid before Commissioner Spain in the Native Lands Court, when Colonel Wakefield sent surveyors into the Wairau. Rauparaha promptly, firmly, but carefully avoiding violence, ejected them. At this news Captain Wakefield and the police magistrate at Nelson, Mr. Thompson, set out for the Wairau with a large party, determined to arrest the chief and his lieutenant and nephew, Te Raugihaeata, on a warrant granted by themselves as justices of the peace. They fell In with the Ngatitoas at the edge of the plain, where the ridge of the hills runs down to the Tuamarina Stream, right where the main Bien-heim-Picton' highway runs to-day, and a bridge spans the little stream. The Maoris numbered about 90 men and half as many women and children. There were 40 Europeans. The Natives at first adopted a placatory attitude, and Rauparaha said he was willing to have the matter decided by the Lands Court. He declined to yield himself prisoner, and the impetuosity of the police magistrate and the natural tension between the parties, led in a few strained minutes to a predicament in which the Europeans had no alternative but to withdraw unsuccessful, or carry out the arrest by force of arms. The problem was decided for them. Seeing the hostile mood to which the Maoris were being excited, Captain Wakefield thought it best to advance his armed party on to the same side of the creek as their leaders, who were parleying with the Maoris. At the same time Thompson made a rash: endeavour to seize Rauparalia. One of the Europeans crossing the creek slipped and accidentally discharged his gun, and instantly the Ngatltoa warriors sprang to their feet and poured a volley into the white men. Many fell. There followed a brief but hot engagement, in which the Europeans, hopelessly outnumbered, fought a running fight, retreating up the hill ridge. After a few minutes the fire slackened, and the Europeans raised a flag of truce. Unfortunately, a party of fugitives higher up the slope reopened fire as the natives emerged from cover, and the unequal struggle was renewed. One after another the Europeans surrendered. Rauparaha, first up the hill, greeted them warmly, as though lie regretted what had happened. But Raugihaeata, rushing up the hill, announced that his wife. Te Rongo, Rauparaha’s daughter, had been shot down by a stray bullet. At that the Europeans who had survived the battle were tomahawked out-of-hand. Twenty-two died that day. The rest escaped, some through the bush, others downstream to the Wairau mouth.

■Modern opinion is agreed that the Europeans invited the catastrophe bjtheir rash and precipitate behaviour. The New Zealand Company’s claims were afterward largely discounted. The immediate cause of the massacre after the fight was undoubtedly 'Te Rongo's death. The results of the massacre were far-reaching, end no doubt greatly retarded the history of the development of Marlborough. Many interesting historic relics have been picked up on the scene of the fight, including several swords, pistols, and other weapons. To-day a monument stands on the hillside where I lie Eurojieans were killed and where they were buried, and the locality is bold b.v local people in more reverence than are many of New Zealand’s historic 1 places.