EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27081, 16 May 1949, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THE ©tago ©ail? {Times DUNEDIN, May 16, 1864. “It is said that, profiting by the example our troops set them at Orakau, the natives have learned to make a ‘sap’ after the most approved system of military engineering. At a recent engagement at Maketu the natives are reported to b,ave run a ‘ sap ’ to within a few yards of a redoubt, but were luckily discovered, or else they might have surprised the garrison." “The Dunedin market report states that on account of a large exodus from the goldfields, storekeepers have no inclination to sort up their stocks, and consequently there is no up-country trade doing. Little or no loading is now to be obtained for teams, and some of the carriers are turning out their horses. It is expected that, as the excitement about the Pelorus' diggings subsides, trade will assume its usual course and a good business will be done in the spring.”

Southland appears to be in a very bad way indeed, according to the mournful comments of the Southland News on the state of public feeling. Our contemporary says:—“ The dead apathy of the public continues. The mysterious reserve of the Government remains unbroken. All life and animation are suspended. In the' midst of a crisis that calls for the exertions of all men possessing a stake in the country, or having a national interest in the prosperity of the land they have adopted as their biding place, it is impossible to disturb the profound pu,blic slumber. Philanthropic movements die out because there is no man of godly earnestness to take them in hand. Enterprises for the revival of the prosperity of the province fall stillborn to the ground. Because, although there may be some enthusiastic fool to launch them, there is no one to pass them forward to the stage of practical action. Public credit suffers; a panic prevails in the commercial world, the most sinister rumours are afloat as to the impending stoppage of our public works. Who cares? ”

At Orakau says the New Zealand Herald when the Maoris could no longer hold out, when they had neither water no ammunition, a well-known chief. Arama Karamas Ti Karour, took a Church of England Prayer Book, and causing the rebels to kneel down, prayed for some time. The natives looked upon themselves as dead men, seeing the place was surrounded, Arama, addressing his men, exclaimed, “let us make a rush by that place," pointing to the spot guarded by the 40th, “and die fighting by the hand of brave men. He then wrapped his prayer book in a shawl or scarf, and winding a second and a new one around him, led a portion of the Garrison to the line of the 40th. Arawa, however, was not killed, but with two others was taken prisoner and to his surprise not a thing was taken from him by the soldiers, not even his woollen shawl, and tobacco and a pipe were offered him by his captors. Still further, when taken along the road, he was surprised by the general kindness shown to himself and the other prisoners, and at the excellence of the food provided for them. The 40th, he said, were brave men. They never struck or injured himself or his comrades when captured.