“A BORN GENERAL.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10392, 9 May 1927, Page 7 (Supplement)

“A BORN GENERAL.”

COLONEL PORTER ON ROPATA. At the commencement of tlie fight at Weiapn Ropata with a few men resisted 100 rebels. As a rule he did not carry a weapon, only .a stick and sometimes a revolver also. At Tikitiki when tho contending parties were on either side of a ravine one of tlie rebels defied tlie loyalists and Ropata went after him single-handed and dashed his brains out whilst both sides looked on. At Pukepapa, where lie overturned the rebel pa, he deliberately ) shot those who deserted him, walking behind them with a revolver, v •'When he and -Ropata took Takitahaupo he got into a tight corner, surrounded by rebels but lie grabbed tho nearest and instantly slew him. ' At'Ngatapa he charged the last trench with only 30 men, carried it and held 'it all night. For that exploit he received the N.Z. Cross and a pension of £lO ]ici* annum. Without Ropata. Colonel -Whitmore could not have taken Ngatapa. . Renata was a horn ■general.’ Ho would stand on a rock and, guide the movement--’ of his’men by waving to them. On one occasion when •some of his men would not advance he got a stick and thrashed them on. He was a creature of Provi- , deuce.