DAYS OF STRIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 6

DAYS OF STRIFE

PAJAMAS AND MAORIS OLD WARRIOR'S STORY [TRAGEDY AND DEATH SENTENCE Among the young Maori warriors in the coastal district of Taranaki over 70 years aco ivas a half-caste, Hori Teira, or in English George Taylor. Son of a ship's carpenter and a Taranaki Maori woman who became his wife at the Bay of Islands, Hori-—who is still living—was born at Kororareka. He had been sent to a mission school in North Auckland, and when an amnestv granted - by the northern chiefs permitted Taranaki slaves to return to their tribes Hori and his mother returned to a pa near Opunake some time before the first conflict arose between the two races.

While the truce of 1862-3 was being more or less observed the steamer Lord Worsley, carrying passengers, mails, and some boxes of gold from Nelson to New Plymouth and Auckland was wrecked at To Namu, not far from where Opunake stands today. The CO shipwrecked folk were in considerable danger. The illwill between pakelia and Maori was by no means dead. It was a rough trio of 40 miles along the forest-edged coast to New Plymouth, and the temptation to the Maori to smite and spare not was recognised by the fugitives.

But two chiefs gave their assurances that provided each person paid a toll of os at the Maori toll-gate at Kapoaia as an acknowledgment that they were traversing Maori countrv, they would be safeguarded to New Plymouth. The names of the two chieftains, Wiremu Kingi te Matakaatea and Te Wliiti, were to become well known to Europeans in the years to come. How the Gold was Saved The word of the two chiefs stood, and one of the shipwrecked passengers, Mr. Robert Graham, saw a chance of saving the gold brought from the wrecked vessel. He saw it buried and then asked ifche Maoris if there was any chanco of obtaining a horse. A half-caste youth, the Hori Teira of this story, proved most helpful. A horse was obtained and Hori rode to New Plymouth and back with Mr. Graham and others until the gold was brought to the town.

Six months later Hori, who had the Maori's love of the land bred in him by his mother, heard the mutterings of distrust and defiance of the pakeha. The youths' were reminded of their great fighting ancestors; they were taught bush warcraft, and that to die in defence of their lands was worth while. The call of the blood overrode the missionary's teaching. Hori joined one of the roving bands of Maoris who were out to do what mischief they could to the British troops that had encamped at Tataraimaka.

While making northwards with his people Hori met with an accident to his hand. His knowledge of a mission station led him to prefer a white man's treatment of his wound to nature methods of healing. He went into the Tataraimaka camp where his hand was treated by an English army surgeon. Dr. Hope. The doctor talked to his patient and asked him if it was true that the Maoris were going to resume fighting. / •

Hori Rejoins Companions Hori said they were, unless the pakehas gave back the Tataraimaka land. "But." said the doctor, "that is sheer foolishness. Look at the troops we hare here and their arms, and this is only a handful of the men the Great Queen can send if she wishes. If the Maori fights the British he will be wiped out." Hori persisted that his people would fight, and after his wound had been dressed rejoined his companions in the bush.

Not many days later —on May 4, 1863 —a military escort with a prisoner charged with some camp misdemeanour left the Tatardimaka camp for New Plymouth. The men had not gone far before they were joined by Lieutenant Tragett and Dr. Hope, who were riding. The officers, Colour-Sergeant Ellers, Sergeant S. Hill and six men travelled as one party, the officers a little in front. The officers had crossed the Wairau stream near the Oakura beach, and just as the men were doing; so they received a volley from a Maori ambush. The officers returned at once, only to be shot down, and only one man out of the ten escaped. _ . . Dr. Hope was shot by Hon leira. and according to custom he claimed the property of the young Maori warrior's "first kill." Hori took the doctor's watch, chain and ring. It is said he was advised by his mates that the trophies should be handed to the priest for dedication to the war gocls, but Hori refused to pay this tribute to tribal superstition.

Found Guilty of Murder Three weeks later Hori and his friends tried to repeat their success at Oakura by ambushing another officer near the Poutoko Redoubt, a British outpost nearer New Plymouth than the Wairau River. Hori was wounded .and taken prisoner. He was wearing Dr. Hope's ring and watch and was subsequently charged with murder, though he and his people maintained the ambush at Oakura in which the doctor was slain was an act of warfare. Hori was-tried at New Plymouth, found guiltv':,of murder and sentenced to death. He was transferred to the Auckland gaol, where it was proposed to carry out the sentence, but he was reprieved and life imprisonment substituted for the death penalty. Hori's good fortune continued. Visitors to the prison included Mr. Robert Graham, then superintendent of the Auckland Province, and the men whom Hori assisted to save the gold from the wreck of the Lord Worsley. _ Mr. Graham interested himself. He saw the Governor, Sir George Grey, and told him how the Maori chiefs had safeguarded the shipwrecked people. Sir George agreed that what the Taranaki jury "considered murder was really an act of .warfare. He reduced Hori's sentence, and lie was freed after four years' imprisonment. Return to Taranaki Hori returned to Opunake under a promise not,to light against the pakeha any more. He found service in later years with the Armed Constabulary at Opunake. When the Te Whiti difficulties arose Hori was ordered to Parihaka with the constabulary. He complained, that this was, asking him to join in a possible conflict with his own tribe, but was told that orders must be obeyed. On arrival at Parihaka he told his story to a more sympathetic official .and was transferred to Pukearuhe until the Parihaka trouble died down. Since his release Hori has been a true friend of the pakeha. He has been for many years a respected settler with a holding a mile or so south of Rahotu. The story given above is the old man s narrative of the Wairau ambuscade given to a Taranaki Daily News representative last week. When Hori shaied in that adventure he was a lad ot Lo, so that he is now about 90 years old. The old man appears to be very near the end of his.journey. He is very deaf and verv Weak. A few words from a Maori friend will bring back a shade of animation to his face, but the frame, wasted as it is, shows what a magnificent fighting man the old warrior must have been in his youth.