“A BORN GENERAL."

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 7 (Supplement)

“A BORN GENERAL."

COLONEL PORTER ON ROPATA

At the commencement of the fight at lYciapn Ropata with a few men resisted ICO rebels. As a rule he did not carry a weapon, only a stick and sometimes a revolver also. At Tikitiki when the contending parties were on either side of a ravine one of the rebels defied the loyalists -and Ropata went after him single-handed and dashed hi.s brains out whilst both sides looked on.

At Pukepnpa, where lie overturned the rebel pa. he deliberately shot those who deserted him. walking behind them with a revolver, i When he and Ropata took Takitahaupo he got into a tight corner, surrounded by rebels but lie grabbed the 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 e'xploit he received the N.Z. Cross and a pension of £lO per annum. Without ‘Ropntn. Colonel Whitmore could not have taken Ngatapa. Ronata t»s a l>orn e-eneral. He would stand on a rock and,guide the 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 Providence.