SACKING OF KORORAREKA

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1934, Page 6

SACKING OF KORORAREKA

rr-IHE relationship between Maori I and Pakeha in North Auckland *' has always been most cordial, and although acts of great violence, 1 including ’ ’ the complete sacking of Kororareka : Occurred during Heke’s War, the’ fight so far as the Natives were; concerned,' - was always against the • Government rather' than the white : people ! ia - theii midst. C.-.-A Woman’s Quarrel. Towards the end of 1844 there was • great discontent among the Maoris in the. Bay of Islands. The . Rev. Samuel Marsden arrived in New; .Zealand, on his sixth visit, on . March 8, . 1830, -He made the arrangements on-this occasion, for the establishment of a new station at Waimate North, about nine miles inland from .Kerikeri. About 250 acres of very good land, • well, wooded and watered, were secured for the station by the: society for the purposes of cultivation, and Messrs Yate, Clarke, Davis and Hamlin were appointed to 'its custody. Mr Yath tells us; “There were many difficulties in the way of forming this establishment, the first of which was the want of a road over which a cart could be driven to convey stores ;tp. and from the coast, or to Kerikeri,, a distance, of about ten i miles. After much research, a road was,, at length found, which headed most.:of the deep ravines and avoided the . swamps.- By the erection of three,, substantial bridges, one of them over the river Waitangi, a deep and rapid- stream, - and two. others over smaller •?and- less important streams,, and by cutting through a wood for about, a quarter of a mile, a good road was formed, for drays and carts, both in summer and winter. The span ! of the bridge of Waitangi was sixty:-feet, and its height from the bed - of - :the river forty, feet.. This great work. ; was performed by the Natives themselves, with the assistance of Messrs; Clarke and Hamlin, The- -spot; :was' admirably adapted for a mission; being in the centre of a mtuneroas body of Natives, within a ; reasonable; ■ distance of other tribes,-.withi.land available for ture,--Heke Angered. The ; immediate cause of the trouble was" the Maori wife of an European named Lord, who quarrelled with another woman of Heke’s tribe and called: ' her chief (Heke) “a pig.” in June, and to avenge this insult,: Heke paid Mrs Lord a visit, took some: of her husband’s property (in Maori/, fashion) and carried off Mrs Lord as a-prisoner. The husband, also following-Maori custom, arranged for the -• redemption of his wife by promising .Heke' a cask of tobacco. The tobacco was not forthcoming, and, after waiting some time, Heke returned to Russell with 130 followers. Finding, that Lord was unable to give the promised tobacco, the chief and his friends decided the other Europeans should (again according to Maori custom) be made to pay Lord’s debt. They, of course, refused to comply. The Natives then resolved to help themselves. They commenced by taking some meat from a butch-er’s-shop, and several live pigs belonging to various persons. Next day they broke into the house of Mr 'Coffer. Oh remonstrating, he was informed that if he resisted they Would cut off his head, and he was threatened, in other ways. About tbe middle of the day, Archdeacon Williams and the Native Protector came to Russell. Mr Williams , had a . long conversation with the Natives on the impropriety of their . conduct,, and gave Heke a bag of rich and some sugar as utu. Heke promised not to molest the Europeans during the next day, Sunday. Flagstaff Cut Down. Qn Monday, at about 2 o’clock in the : morning (July 8), the Maoris commenced firing their muskets, and at daybreak proceeded to the flagstaff. Heke’s people included Christians and heathen, and the Christian prayer of love and mercy mingled with, the wild chants in honour of

Tumatauenga, their old God of War. Then his followers danced the war dance, cut down and burned the Kororareka flagstaff and carried away the signal balls. The resident Natives of Russell were absent at the time, but returned on Monday morning after the others had retired. THE SACKING EYE-WITNESS’S STORY. A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION. This cutting down of the flagstaff was considered equal to a declaration of war, and the reward of £IOO was offered for Heke’s apprehension. Heke bitterly resented this; he considered it was likening him to a pig, which could be bought, apd he threatened that within four months he would bring 2000 men to • Auckland and cut down the f flagstaff thereV Fifty soldiers were immediately dispatched to Koforareka, and the flagstaff was reereet'ed. Nevertheless, on March 11, 1845, the town was sacked and destroyed by the Maoris. The British 'forces comprised seamen of the Hazard, soldiers of the 66th Regiment, and civilians. In the affray the following British casualties occurred: —H.M.S. Hazard: Six killed, 17 wounded; 66th ■ Regiment: 4 killed, 5 wounded; civilians; 3 killed and a number seriously hurt. There were only two military officers (a lieutenant and an ensign) in charge of the small detachment of soldiers, and both were afterwards tried by court-martial for the loss of the blockhouse. The lieutenant was honourably acquitted, and the ensign, a mere boy, was reprimanded ■ for withdrawing his detachment from the blockhouse without orders. Most of the soldiers were raw recruits, and superstition caused them to dread savages more than civilised foes. The Third Time. An account written at the time by an eye-witness, is also worth quoting. Too much light cannot be thrown on this event, whiclj will always be memorable in New Zealand’s history. “Hone Heke cut down the flagstaff for the third time. Troops were again sent for, and the “Hazard,” sloop-of-war, arrived at the Bay of Islands. The Government engineer put up a blockhouse to protect the flagstaff which was to be re-erected. The great folly was then committed of wishing to do things without the necessary means of support. Native courage was so undervalued as to have given rise to a belief that as soon as one or two men were killed they would run away, and the war be at an end. “Notwithstanding the great danger to which .the out-settlers were exposed by the erection of another flagstaff until timely notice should bo given to come in, and the expected forces should have arrived, nothing would satisfy the officers of the “Hazard” but its being immediately sot up. Officers and men volunteered their services, and it was forthwith erected. But the presence of a ship-of-war was very far from intimidating the Natives. They began their operations by robbing Messrs Black and Green of all they could carry away. They then robbed Mr Benjamin Turner and Captain Wright. The gunboat of the “Hazard” was sent to recover two horses beyond Pomare’s pa, but the boat’s crew were fired upon. One seaman was slightly wounded, and tie pinnace returned to the ship after firing three guns, and wounding one Native in the wrist. Attack On Blockhouse. “On Friday, 7th inst., warlike demonstrations on the part of the Natives induced the commander of the ‘‘.Hazard” to send the pinnace to cut off some canoes, and she fired throe guns at a small one containing Hone Heke and two of his people. But this did no damage, and she returned without a trophy. “During these warlike occurrences, a second blockhouse was erected, on an eminence above Mr Polack’s, but, in

selecting this spot for the purpose, it .seemed to have been previously determined that the upper one should on no account fall into the. hands of the enemy. A third and lower defence was erected round Mr Polack’s house, formerly the Russell Hotel, where the greater part of the property in the town was carried, and where the majority of females and childr;?r tooK up their nightly quarters. A>< these arrangements were made on the assumption that the upper blockhouse was impregnable. Civic Guard Formed. “A gun brought from the ''Sir .John Franklin” was placed on the hill behind the Catholic Bishop’s house, and three or four men put there to guard it all night. The male residents of Russell had been formed into a civic guard, and for upwards of a week did duty, working hard, almost every day, and keeping guard at night. During the week several alarms were given at various hours of the night, Natives having been seen in different quarters. During all this time the inhabitants were busy removing their goods to Mr Polack’s house, where the amount of property most hajye exceeded £IO,OOO. “On one occasion Lieutenant Philpotts, on horseback, rode with a young midshipman, whorp he called his aide-de-camp, to ascertain if the Natives were robbing Mr Ben Turner’s place. They were both taken prisoner, but, much to the surprise of everyone, they were released by the Maoris, with the trifling loss of a pistol. On Saturday, Hone Heke sent word that the inhabitants might rest quiet on Sunday, but might look for him on the Monday. On the Monday many persons were of the opinion that he had given up the intended attack as Natives were seen driving-cattle on the beach at Paroa Bay. Two shells wore fired at them without effect. An Eventful Day, “Tuesday Ilth was an eventful one for the Natives, and a most ill-omened one for the people of Russell. At the break of day several shots were fired on the hill behind Bishop Pompallier’s; a seaman was shot dead, and the natives took possession of the gully. Tlio captain of the “Hazard” led the charge beyond the Church, and •.received several severe musket wounds. The engagement now became general. The troops in charge of the upper blockhouse came out, it is supposed, to repulse the enemy, and wore driven down a hill. The blockhouse and flagstaff were taken possession of without the firing of a single shot. “After this the Natives planted a flag of their own (a red shirt on a long stick). The “Hazard” threw several well-directed shots at the upper blockhouse, but failed in destroying it. The second blockhouse, having a battery of three gnus, commanded by Mr Hector, fired a number of rounds, and a well supported charge of musketry, but did little execution. “Whilst this was going on, the Natives cut down the flagstaff, notwithstanding its being thickly cased in iron, and shouted triumphantly. At this period the fortunes of war were decidedly against the whites. The upper blockhouse was taken, and the Natives, boTaking themselves to some old entrenchments on the slope of the hill, commanding the second blockhouse, had every chance of a destructive fire on the whites, and it was here that most lives were lost by the Europeans. Maoris’ Honourable Act. “Had the Natives rushed upon the post, they might have brought the cannon to bear on the population assembled within the stockade erected round Mr Polaek’s, and the slaughter would have been most awful; but in everything the Natives did it was evident that their object was the downfall of the flagstaff,, and not Hie dost rue lion of the whites, for at this momentous period, a flag of truce was observed upon the upper hills, from which the Natives bad taken down their red one, and Mrs Tapper and

Story of Heke War

Thrilling Days Recalled

Maori Generosity Towards Settlers

Page from Northland Early History

her children, who were said to have been killed by the Natives, were brought doAvu and deliA T ered to the Europeans unhurt; Tapper, avlio had had charge of the flagshaff, having been badly Avounded in the back whilst at the second blockhouse. This act, so honourable to the Natives, caused the temporary cessation of hostilities, but Avhen the firing was resumed, it became CAudent that neither the guns and mortars of the “Hazard,” nor the guns and musketry of the second blockhouse and battery, could dislodge the Natives, avlio Avere fairly in possession of the town. In this state of affairs the females were brought away from Mr Polaek’s house, and carried on board the sloop-of-Avar “Victoria,” and several small craft, during Avhieh the Natives did not fi.re f a single shot at them. An Awful Explosion. “Scarce had the females and children evacuated the house Avhen a loud explosion Avas heard, and the house Avhieh they had just left, and in which it appears that a quantity of ammunition Avas placed, bIeAV into the air, burning and Avounding several persons seA r erely. One female had her side broken, and Mr Teav, acting as mate to the schooner “Dolphin,” was much disfigured and badly Avounded. This awful explosion gave a sudden turn to the events of the day. All idea of resistance seemed to bo abandoned, and the seamen and troops and the civic guards, and everyone connected Avith the toAvn repaired to the boats, Avhieh hastened to receive them, and embarked on board. , Meanwhile the A\ T ings of Mr Polack’s' house had caught afire, and a great amount of property Avas consumed. No sooner had the sailors and soldiers, together Avith their civic brother-iu-arms, left the beach, than the Natives turned their attention to the property left at their mercy, and forth Avith began plundering on all sides. “At this critical moment the largo English Avhaleship, the “Matilda,” anchored in the bay, and to this vessel a great number of the houseless sufferers Avere removed from the “Hazard” ami the “Victoria.” Extraordinary Scene. “Several persons uoav availed themselves of the cessation of hostilities to endeavour to save their furniture and goods, and ventured on shore, Avhere an extraordinary scene was passing. Natives and Europeans, without molesting each other, might be seen carrying oft* goods from the same houses, the one carrying off Avhat they could of their oavii, and the others Avhatever they coveted. In this Avay, the town might be said to be nearly sacked, the Natives having the best of it, and carrying off A r ast quantities of goods, Avhiio others were busy in loading horses with property, Avhieh Ihov carried off unmolested. The loss iu houses and property during this memorable day must have exceeded £50,000, and two-thirds of the inhabitants Avere left Avithout a change of clothing, and all, most probably, Avithout a home, as there Avas but little chance of their finding their houses standing should they ultimately Avisli to return 1o Russell. “Notwithstanding the warlike attitude of the civilians, it is a remarkable fact that scarcely a shot Avas fired by them, and it is so far fortunate, as the Natives Avonld, in all probability, have rushed doAyn. upon them from the heights of Maiki (on Avhieh stood the obnoxious flagstaff), and the carnage Avonld have been terrible. “Everything seemed to tend to a fatal result. The “Hazard” had got but little ammunition to spare, and i( dries not appear that a single Maori was hurt by ber guns. In the impregnable blockhouse, which was to liave been defended by a force of 21. men, There Avas not a day’s provisions nr a keg of Avator. The second blockhouse had neither food nor water; and was exposed to the galling fire from the lavo ridges on the right and left: and for the multitude at Mr Pol-

nek’s, and within the not a single day’s provisions had been provided, so that the whole population was exposed to the fire of the Natives and the horror of famine. “Heke had placed a guard to protect the churches and buildings of the two missions—that of the Church of England and the Eoman Catholic — which were thus saved from the general destruction. A few small detached houses were also saved. Thus ended the sacking of Kororareka, to which had been of late years given the name of Bussell, really belonging to the block of land bought by Captain Hobson from Mr Clendon to establish the town which he then intended should be the seat of Government, Bishop Selwyn, who had come up in his cutter, the Flying Fish, took on board all the settlers which he could, and moved about with Archdeacon Henry Williams among the Maoris, ‘ burning the dead of both races, and attending to the wounded without molestation, “The scone was extraordinary and showed the Maoris in a light more favourable than any in which they had boon previously placed.” ATTACK ON OKAIHAU AN ALL-DAY BATTLE. ATTAGREES RETTEE. Following the sack of Bussell, the settlors joined Nene’s war party against Heke. Prominent among them was Mr John Webster, of Opononi. Mr Francis White, a blacksmith, became armourer,• Mr . William Webster manufactured the cartridge boxes; and Judge Manning and Mr G. F. Bussell supplied the powder. This Avar party started from the Tipper Hokianga and met Heke at Lake Omapcrc. Each party built a pa, and fighting Avas daily carried on for two months, during Avhieh time Waaka Nenc held Heke in cheek Avhile he aAvaited the arrival of troops. Martial luav Avas proclaimed on April 26, 1545, and tAvo days later the British troops, under Colonel Holme, arrived at the Bay of Islands. The next day they Avcnt on to Paihia, and None Avcnt on board to arrange measures for the campaign. The troops disembarked at Onewara beach on May 8, where they Avere joined by 108 men from the ships-of-Avar, Joining with Nenets party, they advanced along the banks of the Kerikeri, and Avent through the dense forests by a track previously cut by Nene’s men, until they reached Heke’s pa, at Okaihau, They found the pa strongly defended. The attack commenced on May 8, and when the troops took up their positions on three sides of the pa, they met a heavy fire from TTeko’s party. KaAviti, the fighting chief of Heke, had placed a party of warriors behind a breastwork on the brow of an adjoining hill, and these also opened fire on the troops. The attacking force, however, soon dislodged them, occupied their breastwork, and kept up a sharp fire on the enemy which Avas as briskly returned. Kawiti’s force Avas charged and routed; then about KW Maoris came out of the pa and attacked the small party in the breastwork. KaAviti rallied his force, and again came into conflict. The battle raged fiercely all day, and in the eA r ening the order AA r as given to retreat, as it would haA r e entailed too serious sacrifice for the small party to have stormed the pa. The troops retired to Kororareka, and the friendly natives brought in the Avounded. The losses Avere very heavy on both sides. To got reinforcements, Colonel Hu hue rel umed to Auckland, taking the Avounded with him. Great Avas the surprise of the Aucklanders at the repulse, and the fooling of insecurity increased. In the meantime, however, Waka None kept up a continual guerilla Avarfare with Heke, and in one of those encounters Heke Avas wounded in a thigh.

AT OHAEAWAI BRITISH GENERAL’S PERVERSITY DISASTROUS DEFEAT. Owing to the damage and the loss lie had sustained, Heke erected a new pa at Ohaeawai, seven miles from the Waimate North mission station, and 19 from the Bay of Islands. Though built rapidly, it was unusually strong. At this stage, Colonel Despard arrived from Sydney with some troops. Being senior officer, he took command of the whole force, which now consisted of 520 soldiers, 30 sailors from 11.M.5. “Hazard,” and 80 volunteers from Auckland. After a tedious march of nine days, they arrived at Ohaeawai on June 26, Next day the attack began, but even the 12-pounder artillery made no impression on the pa. A, 32-pounder, with another detachment from H.M.S. “Hazard/’ arrived a few days later; this proved somewhat more effective. On July 1, strongly against the advice of Waka None, Colonel Despard ordered an assault. The storming party consisted of 150 soldiers, under Majors McPherson and Bridge, and 40 sailors and volunteers. This brave party threw themselves in vain against the palisades, and were shot down by the Maoris behind. The result was a disastrous repulse. In 10 minutes 107 men were lying dead or disabled before the pa. , The Duke of Wellington, as Com-mander-in-Chief, considered Colonel Despard should have been tried by court-martial for ordering this attack in the face of such hopeless difficulties. Heke’s party quietly evacuated their pa the next evening, and left some of their noisiest dogs tied up inside in order to lead the besiegers to believe that they were still in possession. At daylight on the following ‘morning the troops took possession of the pa. In his hour of victory, Heke wrote a characteristic letter to the Governor, in'which* he said: —“If you make peace, do not bear any malice against y6ur enemy. Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Nicodemus, Agrippa, and Herod wore Kings and Governors. Did they confer any benefit, or did they not kill Jesus Christ?” “THE BAT’S NEST” fall of ruapekapeka. SUNDAY MORNING SURPRISE. After the troops had taken possession of Ohaeawai, hostilities were delayed, waiting the arrival of reinforcements. This delay lasted four months. During this time, Kawiti erected a new pa at his new place at Ruapekapeka, or “The Bat’s Nest. This was considerably stronger than Ohaeawai, and more difficult of approach. Kawiti’s love of war and ancient feuds with our allies, Heke’s hatred of the British, and Governor Eitzroy’s arbitrary conditions of peace, kept them still hostile. As the first Maori warrior who had fought against England’s trained soldiers, Heke rose high in the esteem of his countrymen. Ending The War. In June, JS4S, it was announced in flic Imperial Parliament that a despatch had been forwarded to Governor Fitzroy recalling him. It was further announced that Captain Grey, then Governor of South Australia, would succeed him. On November 18 of the same year, Captain Grey officially landed and assumed office. He immediately adopted vigorous measures to bring the war to an end. In order to restore England’s prestige, he resolved at all costs to institute a victorious campaign. He stopped the sale of arms to the natives, and cut off all communication with Heke and Kawiti, and issued regular rations to the Maori allies under Waka Nene. An available force of 1173 men, with the addition of the friendly allies, now commenced operations against Heke at Ruapekapeka,

Two stockades were built close to the pa, in which were mounted one and one 12-pounder howitzer. On Saturday, January 10, 1846, the action commenced, and incessant artillery fire was kept up for the Whole day. In the evening it was observed that the guns had made three breaches in the outer palisades. The commanding officer then contemplated an assault, but, owing to the remonstrances of the friendly ehief, Mohi Tawhai, this idea • was aban- - doned. On the following morning, Sunday, some of Nene’s men, cautiously approached the breaches, and, not hearing any noise, they entered, and found the pa unoccupied. Immediately they signalled the troops, who rushed forward and entered the pa before the Maoris, who were engaged in worship outside at the back of the pa, could return. Thus Heke and Kawiti Idst possession of their stronghold. Their forces commenced a heavy fire op our men from the surrounding woods, but soon retired to another pa, which: had been about three miles away by Heke in case they should be driven from Ruapekapeka. The British loss was 12 killed and 30 wounded, and,; Heke’s loss was about 25 killed. A PLEA FOR PEACE FREE PARDON GRANTED. The loss of •Ruapekapeka dishearten' ed the followers of Heke and Kawiti, and the latter wrote to; the Governor . the following letter: — “Friend! O, my esteemed friend the Governor! I salute you. Great is my regard for you. Friend Governor, I say, let peace be made between you and I. lam filled . of your riches {cannon balls); , therefore I say, let you and I make peace. Will you not? Yes. This is the termination of my war against you. Friend Governor, 1,Kawiti and Hekitenedo, consent to this good message. This is the end of mine to you. It is finished. To my esteemed friend the Gov. . —Kawiti.’’ This petition was strongly backed by Tamati Waka Nene, and Sir George Grey thereupon granted a free pardon to all who had engaged in the rebellion, and allowed them to retain possession of their lands. Thus peace was declared, and Heke’s War ter•■minated; no feeling of bitterness remained, and the friendly relations between the Maoris and the settlers north of Auckland were resumed, and have never since been broken KAWITI’S DEATH Of the chief actors in this rebellion, Kawiti afterwards professed Christianity and died in 1853 at the age of 80. Heke, who had never recovered from the effects of the wound he received at Okaihau, died in 1850, near his old field of battle, and was buried in a cave near the old mission station at Waimate North. TAMATI WAKA NENE A NOTABLE CAREER. No Maori took a greater part in bringing about the consummation of the treaty than Tamati Waka- Nene, the famous Ngapuhi chieftain. Subsequently he did everything in his power to honour his signture to that mo-v montous document, and was always a „ friendly ally of the British. Having undertaken to protect the' settlers against Heke, he raised a force to punish Heke and his fighting general Kawiti, and pursued them until they were compelled to retire. - Waka Nene’s valuable services .to . the Crown throughout the Northern War, and before the British were able to put any soldiers in the field, will ever be. remembered. He subsequent-' ly received a Government pension of £IOO per year, and Sir George Grey was commissioned by Queen Victoria , to present him with a beautiful silver chased cup in recognition of his services. Before his death in 1871, Waka Nene presented this historic heirloom to his old friend, Mr Johri Webster, of Opononi.