Poverty Bay Heroine.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 9 (Supplement)

Poverty Bay Heroine.

REPLICA Op Y.C. GIYEN> TO .MINNIE BARKER.

Towards the end of December, ISfiS. the name of Minnie Parker, then a girl of thirteen or fourteen, was a household one throughout Pov-e--tv Bar. Shortly before the Massacre Miss Parker left Makaraka to act as nurse girt to Airs. Biggs’ baby at AJ.atr.whcrn. A few days before the tragedy she took the child to the Bloomfield’s house, and fortunately was there when the murders took place. The Haiihnus, as is wellknown, killed Alajor and Airs. Biggs,

the deed being seen by a cowboy named James, who was in a shed nearby. He ruslmd to warn the Bloonifields, who made hurried preparations for departure. 'I he party comprised Airs. Bloomfield, her sister Aliss Staggaii, and .Minnie Parker, who refused to deliver up the Biggs’ baby to the other two to mind. The panic-stricken party made the:r way to the beach, Alinnie Parker still retaining the child. Despite the fact that eveiy moment was valuable, she carried the babv herscit 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 praeticallv in their night attire. Alinnie Parker, who was a sister of Air. \Y. Parker, of Afangat>op.', was, of course, well-known in Napier, the family had only arrived in Poverty Bav iron) Hawke’s Bay two years jv. rv.ously. With many other survivor*; she was sent to Nnnicr, and w s lain.rd a heroine bv the s<-t tiers. Several fiyn tions were given in her lienor, and f'at tain (afterwards .Major) Hean'iv. who had been awarded" the Y.C. for bravery in the Waikato, had a replica of the cross east and nubiiclv presented to All's* Parker. Sim later came to Gisborne on a visit, but oil her return to Napier fell a victim to typhoid fever.

The late C.apt. W. H. Tucker was twice Mayor of Gisborne and also held the cha.rmansliip of ttie Harbor Board and Cook County Council. He was born in Auckland in 1844 and came to Gisborne in 1860. At the time of the Massacre Capt. Tucker was attached to No. i Company of the Militia. He then joined the Defence Forces and was present at the capture of Xgatapa pa. "When in 1810 r J e Jvooti appeared at Tolnga Bay. Capt. Tucker led a party or 120 friendly Mao:is m an attempt to intercept him but was unsuccessful. Later on in life lie was appointed to the Legislative Council.