RELIC OF 1865

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 61, 14 March 1939, Page 8

RELIC OF 1865

COPY OF "THE POST"

PRESENTED TO PETONE COUNCIL ■

An "Evening Post" of Thursday, February 9, ISSS, actually the second number issued, was handed over to the Petone Borough Council last night by Councillor A. M. Macfarlane on behalf of Mr. W. J. King,.- of Petone, who has had the paper in his possession for some years. The paper, which is in a good state !of preservation, is of four pages. The | absence of headings and cable news is among the first things that strike anyone who s«eks to compare the journalism of 74 years ago with that of today. The leading article, which is written on the reported massacre of a detachment of British Regulars by Maoris, enunciates a principle which later had a tremendous and revolutionary effect on warfare. Speaking of. British soldiers, the leader stated: "Strip the red tape off them, relax their discipline to the degree that they will,have better sense than to stand like dummies under the hatchets and meres of their opponents because they have not received the order to move,' give the officers power to. move out of the beaten track, to use their discretion a little, to be guided by circumstances, and they will soon be able to give a better account of their, crafty foe." A message from Auckland, dated February 3, 1865, confirmed a report of the surrender the previous day of, Wi Tamihana (William Thompson),! known as the "Duke of 'Waikato," and [ head of the Waikato rebellion. He, earlier stated that he would accom-, pany two British officers if they were sent to him. This was done, and, escorted by them, he went to Brigadier- j General Carey's headquarters at Te Awamutu. Councillor Macfarlane suggested that the paper should be mounted between sheets of glass and placed on a swivel in the' library. The gift was gratefully accepted by the Mayor, Mr. G. London, who thanked Mr. King for a relic which i might prove of great value in the Centennial celebrations.