REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6296, 21 January 1882, Page 6

REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR IN NEW ZEALAND.

Vol. 2xd, Chapter sth. Aiter tk.e_ defeats .of .Xgapuhi there appeared many aspirants for fame, notably the Waikato chiefs, Te Wherowhero, Te Waharoa, and Rauparalia. There were also many other renowned leader 3 of equal bravery and skill, such as Taraia, Mainaku, Te Henheu, and the Kaeaea, whose names will appear occasionally in this volume, but who not having taken such a leading part as the first three will not receive such attention. Waikato, after the defeat of Pomare, desired to emulate the prowess of their foes, but not upon them, for in point of fact, Ngapuhi Kai Tangata, although fighting amongst themselves, were still an object of terror to their neighbours. This then was the dilemna of Waikato. They had plenty of guns, and men prepared to use them, yet doubted their ability to cope with Ngapuhi on their own ground. But revenge niust be had, and having such a nice lot of guns, it seemed a pity not to use them. In fact it was like flying in the face of Providence not to kill somebody, and further, the Atuas were propitious. In the very nick of time an embassy arrived from Ngatiawa, who, having had a serious quarrel with their ancient enemy, the Taranakis, had been reduced to the last extremity by the great chief, Tamakaha, and now implored the assistance of Waikato. This was promptly rendered, and Te Wherowhero ami Pfthi Korehu (father of Rewi) led these tribes to the attack, and Taranaki, for the first time, felt the full force of the pakeba weapons, as Tamakaha and his leading warriors were destroyed. From this time the fighting was all one-sided. Pa after pa was taken, and most of the tribe carried into slavery, only a few of the most active hid themselves in the fastnesses round the base of Mount Egmont or in the flax at Waiwiri. Hence the proverb, "E kore Taranaki e ngaro he karakeke to ngai wai no roto no Waiwiri" (Taranaki cannot be destroyed, flax is in its forests at Waiwiri). These fugitives lived a wretched life for some years, until they ■were finally collected by Hori Ngatairakaunui and Moki (Wiremu Ivingi) at Te Namu, where they in their turn wiped out defeat. So far the confederacy had been in perfect harmony, but Waikato, confident in their numbers and weapons, had taken the lion's share in plunder and slaves, altogether disregarding the claims of their Ngatiawa allies, ifhom they treated most cavalierly and as old enemies. This treatment was carefully fostered by the Taranaki slaves, who continually impressed upon their matters how easy it would be to destroy the Ngatiawa, and so it nudoubtably would have been had Waikato acted promptly in the matter, which they did not do, but contented themselves with bouncing Ngatitoa and their chief jßauparahu off their ancestral lands at Kawhia. Up to this time, Ngaiitoa, although a small tribe, had, by dexterous alliances and their own prowess, managed to hold their own, but the possession of guns had altered the position of affairs, and Te Rauparalia, too sagacious a chief not to perceive it, saw it was no longer possible for him to hold his lands. Under such circumstances fee made a merit of necessity, and formally ceded them orer to Te Wherowhero, informing that

chief that he intended-to' take other lands In ] their place, both at OtaKi and Kapiti. This bold stroke - of policy prevented Waikato from interfering with him on his line of march, and enabled him to reach the kindred tribes of Ngatitawa and. Ngatiawa, amongst whom he sojourned, a welcome guest, for more than a year. Welcome, because these tribes knew well enough that Waikatointended mischief, and the presence of Rauparaha and his 170 braves, all well armed, would in itself ensure success. The intentions of Waikato were soon manifest, as, thinking the opportunity favourable, thev collected a large body of warriors, underTe Wherowhero, Te Waharoa, Huakai, and Mania, and marched to attack Rauparaha, who was only informed of the movement by seeing his enemies close at hand. Fortunately for Waikato, Te Kaeaea and his Ngatitawa were absent, but Ngatitoa and Ngatiawa were equal to the occasion, and the two armies met in fair fight, and after a most desperate struggle Waikato was beaten and fled unpursned, leaving Huikai. Mania, and 150 men dead. It is said that on the night after the fight Te Wherowhero approached the camp and called out to Rauparaha, " How are my people to be saved ?" "By instant flight" was the reply; and we may presume the advice was taken, for the next day when the Ngatitawa came up Waikato was far distant. T,W.G. [To ba con tinned. J