The Wairau Massacre.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 February 1911, Page 4

The Wairau Massacre.

A NEW VERSION

A correspondent lias contributed to an oxohange a new vedsion of the story of the Wairau massacre, one of the saddest events in the early liistory pf New Zealand. The now vorsion is particularly interesting, as 'it is the story of a Maori who was present at the massacre. Tho acceptod histoi'ical account is to the effect that the New Zealand Land Company, represened by Captain Wakefiold, had l completed negotiations with certain, natives for tJio acquisition of land in the Wairan Valley, but Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaota considered that tho land had not been sold, and when surveyors and settlers arrived ejected thorn from the valley. Captain Wakefield, with ft party of visited the Wairau to nogofciate with tho chiefs, but while a parley was proceeding one of tho Europeans accidentally discharged his musket, proeipitating a conflict. A num'ber of tho party, including Captain Wakofield, wero captured and put to death. To Rauiparaha's version exonerated the chief himself from responsibility for the murder, alleging that Te Rangihaeta ordered the massacre because his wife-7 Rongo, Te Rauparaha's daughter, had been shot in the melee. Thoj now story is that of ETonora Tungia, Rongo's daughter. It is to the effect that at the time of the massacre the Maoris wero camped at the mouth of the Wairaiij where they were engaged, according to their custom, in snaring Paradise ducks and preparing supplies of food. TUio few European sottlers in the neighbourhood ran short of provisions and: decidod to send to Wellington for supplies, eight of their num'ber eettiiig out in a small boat. The frail craft was upset on tho bar of the Wairau and its occupants were all di'ownod. A short time afterwards some Europeans discovered the boat and a body on the beach, close to tho remains of the Maoris' ovens, and they jumped to the conclusion that they were at the scene of a cannibal feast. They carried their story to Wellington, and the expedition led by Captain Wakefield was sent out to punish' the Maoris. The story does not seem vory probable, in view of the accounts of tho massacre that have, come down to us from reliable sources, but there still may be something to loarn concerning the Maoris' conception, of the deplorable affair.