Passing Maori Memories

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7136, 20 April 1933, Page 6

Passing Maori Memories

WHANGANUI [R-ecorclecl by “ J.H.S.” for the Times. ] Those were lively times when the original name of the town, “Petre,” was still in use. The Maoris were as 20 to 1 against us, and openly organising “to drown us in the sea.” Putiki Wliara Nui, on the river bank, occupied by friendly natives, was our main hope. Taylor and Watt’s general stores was strongly barricaded. A ship’s brass cannon loaded with four pounds of powder and pieces of iron chain pointed across the door in case of a rush. Our women and children retired from dusk to dawn inside the Rutland and York 3tockade on the sand hills. Numerous petty outrages were unpunished because of the threatened rising. Outlying farms were vacated each night. Judge, then, our joy when the paddle boats “G-unda-gai” and “Wongawonga” came to anchor in midstream opposite Taupo Quay, and discharged companies of the 65th. into canoes. Their red coats and bright bayonets added to the glamour of that wondrous moving picture. Later on came detachments of the 57th and 70th regiments and threats of extermination were averted. The war moved north towards Taranaki, leaving us the trail of drink, petty robberies, and violence by un worthy men in enforced idleness as a sequel to the “Lost Regiment” episode. It is a matter for regret that, apart from fragmentary records, we now have so little knowledge of those bad old days.