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Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 41, 17 August 1917, Page 7

The Napier Soldiers' Club has been presented by Colonel Porter, C.8., with an old ship's cannon, which was recovered from the wreck of a whaler near the Easfc Coast about the year 1795. The cannon in question has an interesting history, and some considerable valua must attach to it as a relic of the past. In the year 1527, or thereabouts, one Maori murdered another. The murderer was captured, sentenced to death, and a newly-appointed Maori preacher authorised to decide what form the execution .should take. Crucifixion was decided upon, but when the man was tied to a rude- cross a warrior suggested that the cannon above refered to, being a weapon made -to kill with, should be used. '.Hie gun was loaded, beach stones being used as bullets, and fired from twenty paces, the result being that the murderer was blown to atoms. The cannon was subsequently designated "To Pu Eepu i Kepeftatia- te Kohuru," the translation, of which, so we are informed, is "the cannon that crucified the murderer." In 1865, on the outbreak of war, the lata loyal Chief of Ngatiporou, Major Ropata, N.Z.C., presented the cannon to Col. Porter. Accompanying the cannon are two 641b shots, which wero fired from H.M.S. Brisk when landing troops at Poverty Bay in 1856.

Corporal George Johnson, son of Mr. C. J. Johnson, Clyde and Avon-streets, Island Bay, "who was wounded on 19th June - at Meßßines,-has -rejoined his unit.;