Poverty Bay Heroine.

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

Poverty Bay Heroine.

replica, of v.o. given to MINNIE PARKER.

Towards, tlie end of December, 1868 the name of Minnie barker, then' a "ill of thirteen or fourteen, was a- household one throughout Povertv Bay. Shortly before the Massacre Miss Parker left Makaralca to act as nurse gin to Mrs. Biggs’, baby at Matawhera. A few days before the tra°edv she took the child to the Bloomfield’s house, and fortunately was there when the murders took place. The Hauhnus, as is wellknown, killed Major and Mrs. Biggs,

the deed being seen by a cowboy named James, who was in a shed nearby. lie rushed to warn tlie Bloonifields, who made hurried preparations for departure. Hie party comprised Mrs. Bloomfield, her sister Miss Staggail, and Minnie Parker, who refused to deliver up the Biggs baht' to the other two to mind. The panic-stricken party made way to tlie beach, Minnie Parker stiil retaining the child. Despite the fact that every moment was valuable, she carried the baby herseif all the way down to Gisborne, onlv delivering up her charge to the kindly women who came out to assist the weary party, who were practicallv in their night attire. Minnie Parker, who ..was a sister of Mr. AY. Parker, of Mangapapa, was, of course, well-known in Napier, tlie family had only arrived in Povertv Bev irom Hawke’s Bay two years previously. M ith many other survivors she was sent to Napier, and was re burned a heroine by the settlers. Several functions were given in her honor, and Captain (afterwards Major) Hcauhy. who had been awarded the V.C. for bravery in the Waikato, had a replica of the cross cast and publicly presented to Miss Parker. She inter came to Gisborne on n visit, hut on her return to Napier fell a. victim'to uphold fever.

The late Cnpt. W. H. Tucker was twico Mayor of Gisborne and also held the clia.nnan.ship of the Harbor Board and Cook County Council. He was born in Auckland, in 1844 and came to Gisborne in 1866. At the time of the Massacre Cnpt. Tucker was attached to No. 1 Company of the Militia. He then joined the Defence Forces and was present at the capture of Ngatapa pa. When in 1870 Te Kooti appeared at Tolaga Bay, Capt. Tucker ted a party or 120 friendly Maoris in an attempt to intercept him but was unsuccessful. Later on in life he was appointed to tlie Legislative Council.