INCIDENTS SKETCHES OF THE MAORI WARS,

Otago Witness, Issue 2332, 10 November 1898, Page 39

INCI DENTS SKETCHES OF THE MAORI WARS,

AND disputes have been the cause of most of our troubles in dealing with the Native race, and disputes about land titles were at the bottom of the long smouldering discontent that culminated in the ar of 1860 and in the still

Maori w:

greater war of 1863. As early as 1854 the European settlers of Taranaki assisted a Maori chief to defeat a rival

who had effected a sale of Maori lane! without consulting the other Native claimants, in distinct violation of the Treaty of Waitangi. Sir Geo. Grey had taken his departure from the colony and Acting-governor Wynyard apparently failed to grasp the situation. Land sales were completed despite the protests of dissentients, and so Maori hate was stirred up by the greed of the white settlers, whom they | thought were simply robbing them of their tribal lands. Bishop Selwyn protested in vain against the continued violation of the Treaty of Wuitangi as interpreted by Hobson. Wy 11yard appealed to the General Assembly for military protection for the Taranaki settlers, but the Assembly declined to vote funds. In September. 1855 Colonel Gore Brown assumed office as Governo'\ In the following year the fighting which the Maoris had carried on intermittently ceased, although slumbering discontent still remained. Early in 1856 the Governor appointed a board to inquire into the land question. The report was laid before the Assembly in the following August, and sent to England. In November, 1856, a meeting of Maori chiefs was held at Taupo to discuss the land j question. From that date the Maori ( King question took definite shapo. The meeting resolved that the mana of i the Maori chiefs was to be strictly j guarded, and the collective title of the ! tribe was to be scrupulously respected. j Early in 1857, mremu Tamihana (Anglice William Thomson) visited Auckland to lay the Maori grievances before the Governor. He was denied access ! to the Governor, however, and stung by ; the insult returned home and in Feb- • ruary of the same year sent a circular < to " All Waikato declaring that his ] tribe Ngatihau agreed that Potatau j should be King of New Zealand." ;' Learning of the King movement ; Governor Brown hurriedly visited the ! chiefs, and conferred with Potatau in person. The wily chief feigned uncon- ! ditional submission to the authority of i the Governor, but after his departure >' the real Maori meeting began. The j Ngatihau planted a new flag, white, with a red border and two crosses as symbols of Christianity, with the words j " Potatau, King of New Zealand." The I Union Jack was hoisted near the new flag, and the two afterwards tied together. Thus was the Maori King movement inaugurated, as a protest against the unjust treatment they had

received at bhe hands of their white victors. The history of the inter venina, years from the installation of the Maori King to the Native rebellion would take long to tell, suffice it to say here that an attempt to set up civil institutions in the Waikato and elsewhere failed. Mr Gorst, who took an active

part on the Government side, wrote at the time : "As the European magistrate left the Waikato Potatau went into it, ana was duly installed king in April, 1858." io was the almost universal opinion at the time that if Governor Brown had acted with good judgment, aided by the friendly Maoris, included amongst whom may be mentioned Rewi, chief of the Ngatimaniapotos, besides other influential chiefs, there would have been no war. One of the

most noteworthy instances of weakness

in the administration of the Governor was the tact that while rumours of disaffection were rife, within six months the Maoris were permitted to furnish themselves with tnousands of firearms and abundance of ammunition. Although warned by a powerful chief the Governor paid no heed. If it was the wish of

the Governor to promote internal strife, no better method could have been pursued than by the arming of a warlike race.

In January 1858 an old feud between rival Maori chiefs broke out afresh. Jiatatore and three friends were waylaid and shot while riding from Taranaki. In true Maori fashion, his friends killed two of Ihaia's tribe. The latter was shortly afterwards besieged in his pa at Waitara. The Maori internecine warfare spread. The Taranaki Provincial

Council sought the aid of the Government to coerce the Natives to sell their lands. Although the settlers were not actually attacked tney lived in an atmosphere of fire and slaughter. The Governor issued a proclamation intimating that any armed parties of Natives found assembling in a defined district

including TaranaK. would be deemed to be bearing arms against the Queen. After that there was a respite. In 1859 a dispute arose over the sale of the Waitara* block. The Governor forced the closing of the sale, ignoring the protests of Maori claimants to the land. The survey was decided upon. The Natives resisted and martial law was proclaimed throughout the province of Taranaki on January 25, 1860. This was practically a declaration of war against the Maoris, who were not slow

to interpret it as such, and constituted ' the keynote to the Maori war which followed. By their 'hasty and ill-con- , sidered action the Government es1 tranged many of the friendly tribes, who made common cause with their counj trymen against a common foe. But if j there was still any doubts regarding the intention of the Governor these were j quickly dispelled when the pa constructed by the Chief Rangitake on the Waitara block was fired upon by the 65th Regiment under command d Colonel Gold. That was on the 17th of ; March. On the 27th three white settlers and two boys were reported as haviur been savagely murdered by the Natives. On the 28th volunteers, soldiers, and sailors sallied forth to avenge them, ana so the Maori war of 1860 was fairly opened. Over the subsequent scenes which made a lurid page in New Zealand history we will draw the veil, but at this date no one can calmly review the whole of the evidence without concluding that the Government were wholly responsible for the Maori war. A proud and warlike race, jealous of their landed rights, held by right of conquest, would not be coerced to surrender their heritage, although they were quite willing to enter into negotiation for a sale of the tribal lands. The Home authorities, recognising the evident incompetence of Colonel Brown to deal with the Native race 3 recalled him ana appointed Sir George Grey in 1 May 1861. On arrival in the colony almost the first acts of the new Gover1 nor were to confer in person with tho Native chiefs and to endeavour to bring them to terms, and the Government claims to the Waitara block were abandoned. J Similar trouble about the Tataraimaka block and similar fast and loose dealing I with the Natives led to the still more ! serious Maori war of 1863. The series cf ! photographs which we have reproduced represent some of the men who took a prominent part in the Maori war, and some of the scenes of most striking interest. As these old photographs were J taken about the time of the Maori war i they possess more than usual interest ; now. In 1863 when the general rising on the J Waikatc and elsewhere taxed the H;sources of the colonial Government, Colonel George Dean Pitt and Mr Dillon Bell went to Victoria to call for I volunteers to assist in quelling the Nativs rebellion. Some 480 men volunteered and came over to New Zealand in the first draft. Amongst these wem Messrs Provo, Jeffs, Atcherley, Flockton, Russell, and Fraser, whose photos are reproduced. They arrived in Auckland on the 12th of September, 1863, and were taken to the headquarters at Otahuhu, where they were put through a course of drill by Imperial officers. Just here we may state that 600 Imperial troops had been sent to New Zealand to assist the colonial forces against the Maoris. Adjutant William Hunter was the officer who put the Victorian volunteers through their drill. They were afterwards designated the Ist Waikato Volun-

teers and commonly known as " Pitt's Four Hundred." After being stationed sometime at headquarters the volunteers were drafted to different outposts.

They made their first acquaintance with active servica at Camp Drury on the 25th October, 1863. Lieutenant Norman came to Drury for an escort to go with him to Mauku. The escort consisted of one lieutenant, one sergeant, and 25 men. When going through a bush track they were suddenly surrounded by some 300 Maoris. But the volunteers pluckily fought their waj r through leaving two officers and seveu men dead or wounded. The two officers were Lieutenants Norman and Percival. The remainder then fougnt their way back to Drury without further loss, fully repaying the Maoris who harassed them. The following day Major St. John proceeded to the scene of the Maori attack and recovered the bodies of the volunteers, all terribly mutilated in true Maori fashion. Those who foil into the hands of the rebels were treated alike whether wounded or dead. So disgusted and shocked were the -nen who recovered the bodies of their dead comrades that they took an oath that 'f ever they got hold of these Maoris they would cut them into mince meat. The bodies were conveyed to Drury and buried in a common grave. Their comrades subscribed and erected a suitable monument, which may be seen at the present day.

Shortly after that Major St. John, of the Ist Waikato Volunteers was ordered to proceed to Razorback with a body of men. During the march they fell into an ambush of Natives, but after a severe brush the Maoris retired. They punished the Maoris so severely that their further progress was undisputed. Arrived at Razorback the volunteers wore stationed there some months, and were employed strengthening the redoubts and erecting palisades, etc One moonlight night the Maoris fired light into the redoubt from fhe top of the hill, sheltering themselves amongst the trees. The volunteers replied to the fire, with only the flashes of the Maori guns to guide them, forcing the latter speedily to retire. Profiting by that experience Major St. John decided to build a second redoubt on top of the hill. The two redoubts were afterwards known as the upper and lower redoubts, Razorback.

From Razorback the Ist Waikato Volunteers were ordered to Maungatawariri, better. known at that time as the Sailors' Camp. At the creek there wei'e several brushes between the troops aud the rebels and in order to give better facilities for following the Maoris up, the stream was bridged, thus opening the highway to the Waikato. The Maoris

then retired to the celebrated pa st Mere Mere, where it was supposed they would make their final stand against the colonial forces. Consequently the destruction of the pa was decided upon :n the hope that it would end the war, but the sequel showecLtha,t the Maori fortification had been under rated. The Maoris repelled all attacks successfully, and held the pa against the troops till another stronghold at Rangiriri was ready to receive them. On Good Friday morning, While General Cameron was in Auckland conferring with the Government with regard to Mere Mere, the troops at Whangamarina noticed a movement amongst the Maoris at the pa. They speedily advanced and found the pa evacuated, all the Natives having taken their departure with the exception of one old, decrepit man. Tha soldiers then saw how strongly the pa was built, with its trenches and earth-

works, and it was acknowledged by military experts to be one of the strongest of fortifications. When the Maoris Jetired to Rangiriri General Cameron ordered the ' troops to advance. The pa was attacked by the 65th regiment who, were driven back with severe loss. The Maoris under cover of their strongly entrenched position fought gallantly, and succeeded in repulsing the artillery which was f-ent to attack them. The bluejackets were next sent to the attack and were also retmlsed for a

time; but eventually finding the position too hot for them the Maoris hoisted a white flag. Just at that moment William Thomson, the rebel chief, with 200 braves was coming to reinforce the pa ; but seeing the white flag he retired, xrxe troops were ordered to advance, and soon took the pa, securing 200 Maori prisoners, who were sent to Auckland by order of Sir George Grey, and con-

fined in hulks which had been prepared for them, and after being detained for some considerable time were taken to the Island of Kawau. They managed, however, afterwards to make their escape to the mainland, and assisted their friends in further outrages. In these engagements Pitt's Four Hundred fought side by side with the Imperial troops, anu in every engagement gave a good account of themselves.

After going through the Waikato campaign the Ist Waikato Volunteers were transferred to Tauranga, which now became the centre of disaffection, and >f the Hau Hau rising. The yolunteers there, reinforced the 68th and 43rd Regiments. Shortly afterwards the two regiments together with the Royal Artillery were ordered to attack the Gate Pa, where it will be i-emembered a terrible slaughter of our troops took place. Details of that memorable fight need not

be recorded here. General Cameron made a determined attack upon the Gate Pa, where the Maoris had securely entrenched themselves in covered rifle pits, but could not dislodge them. When a breach was eventually made in the earthworks and the troops poured in it was into a veritable death trap, for the Maoris from the shelter of their covered in rifle pits fired point blank at the massed ranks of our men, who retired in panic. Darkness coming on the pa was invested, but under cpver of the darkness of a wet night the Maoris silently stole away, and when morning dawned the pa was found to be deserted, only 20 dead and six wounded Maoris being found. The fight at the Gate Pa cost our men the loss of 10 officers and 25 non-commissioned officers and men slain, and four officers and 72 men wounded, iet it is stated tnat some 200 Maoris held the pa and wrought such terrible havoc amongst the troops.

The Maoris after escaping from fha Gate Pa built pas in different places and were followed up and routed by our men. Colonel Greer of the 68th was left in charge at Tauranga, with the 68th, 43rd, and Ist Waikato Voluateei'Sj the latter commanded by Colonel Harrington of the Tauranga Militia, assisted by Major St. Jonn. Colonel Harrington took a reconnoitring party to harass the Maoris, and the colonial troops proved the stuff they were made of. Hitherto it had been the belief of the military authorities that the volunteers could not be relied upon unless supported by the Imperial troops, but in many a subsequent fight they belied that opinion. Colonel Haultain, Defence Minister, gave orders to a body of volunteers to proceed to Mindon Peak, and how they behaved in the engagement that followed is best illustrated by a.n extract from the official despatch: "The troops during the engagement behaved gallantly, ' several men distinguishing themselves for conspicuous bravery."

During the stay of the troops at Tauranga Colonel M'Donald arrived, and took a detachment of the Ist Waikato Volunteers to co-operate with the friendly Arawas in an attack upon the Uriweras. Colonel M'Donald consequently marched to Ohinemutu, ieenforcing the Arawas at Maketu en route. From Ohinemutu the combined colonial and Native forces followed the rebels into the bush, surprising them and killing a large number. That the rebels were both surprised and routed was shown by them leaving their slain behind them, for on retiring their invariable practice was to carry their dead with them. Colonel M'Donald. proved himself a brave and determined leader, and soon gained the confidence of all ranks. Another detachment of the volunteers proceeded to Whakamaramara and Irehunga, and whenever the rebels were met the colonial troops always came off victorious.

About that time Lieutenant Gundry received orders to take a body of volunteers to harass the Uriweras. He selected 70 or 80 picked men, provisioned for eight days. He proceeded up the Waimana Gorge, and on several occasions attacked and repelled the Maoris, the only casualties being three soldiers slightly wounded. It was spring time and the melting of the snow on the mountains swelled the stream, making the progress of the troops both difficult and dangerous. They arrived at Te Pango after a six days' march, duiing which time they followed the enemy up bush tracks and wherever they could find them. At Te Pango they attacked the pa, and drove the rebels out; notwithstanding that the Maoris met them with a heavy fire. On the return journey the volunteers ran short of provisions, and had to kill their pack horse for food.

In another brush with the Maoris Lieutenant Fraser had his horse shot under him while the troops were crossing a forest clearing. Un that occasion the troops had a sharp hour's work, and lost several of their number from the fire of the Maoris, who fired from behind the cover of the trees at short range. Amongst the slain was Volunteer Jeffs, who fell shot in the eye by a Maori about 13 yards distant. His Maori assailant attempted to make good hrs escape, but was shot through the head by Volunteer Jeffs's brother volunteer.

LIEUTENANT BROMLEY.

Lieutenant Bromley was the artist of the 68th Regiment, and is shown in the act of taking a sketch. The celebrated Maori guide, Dan, is shown beside him. Many of the scenes of the Maori war were depicted by Lieutenant Bromley, and form a valuable contribution to the history of the Maori war.

SERGT,-MAJOR JACKSON.

This picture shows Sergt.-Major Jackson with his bulldog, which always went into action with the men, and proved itself a nasty customer to deal with by any Maori who came within reach of its teeth. Jackson had the good fortune to sell out of the force to Sergeant Emus, of the 12th Regiment, then under orders to proceed to England. Emus became sergeant-major. Next day he received orders to proceed to a pa at Irehanga, and while advancing upon the pa he received the first shot fired by the Maoris from the top of the hill. The bullet entered his right shoulder, passing out at his left groin. In spite of his desperate wound he lived for some days, and died from the bursting of a blood vessel in the vicinity of the track of the bullet.

A GROUP OF PITT'S OFFICERS

Amongst the group here presented are Lieutenant George Dean Pitt, of the Ist Waikato Regiment, Captain Bower, Captain Fraser, Captain Tonks, Dr Hooper, Lieutenant Kidd, Ensign

siderable hardship. They had no transport service, but carried with them everything they required. While lead ing his brave band to the attack upon the Maori position at Te Ngutu-o-te-manu, in conjunction with the Maori leader afterwards known as Major Kemp, Yon Tempsky was shot. Titokowaru was driven from the position and made good his escape, but not before leaving a good many dead, both European and Maori, behind him to mark the scene of the conflict.

ADJUTANT HUNTER.

Adjutant Hunter, of the Ist Waikato Volunteers, was at one time a member of the Irish constabulary. He was a thorough military man of soldierly appearance and conduct. In one of the engagements with the Maoris he was charged with cowardice, and, stung with the unjust accusation, he fell shot dead heading the charge in the next attack upon the Maoris.

COLONEL LYONS

Our photograph is that of Colonel Lyons., of the Nevr Zealand Volunteer Force, who saw a good deal of service during the Maori war.

ADJUTANT WILSON

The Maori methods of warfare made* it most difficult for European troops to follow the rebels through the bush to their strongholds ; but splendid service in that work was done by the friendly tribes who displayed marvellous courage as well

forces in the attack upon the pa, which was captured after some hard fighting. Te Kooti fought in the allied ranks. Major Fraser suspecting that Te Kooti had acted as a spy, after the fall of the pa made him prisoner. Te Kooti was known to have a relative amongst the rebels. Lieutenant Gudgeon in his " Reminiscences " of the war says: "There does not appear to have been much truth in the charge, for the men whom he was accused of communicating with were a hundred miles off, nevertheless he was shipped away without trial, and, as many persons assert, without cause except that he was a troublesome, daring man ... it is certain that all the after atrocities committed by him were dictated by a revengeful spirit against those who caused his deportation." At any rate the arrest of Te Kooti was an act that cost the colony dear, and he wiped out the wrong in truly terrible Maori fashion. Without trial or warrant the Stafford Government shipped Te Kooti and a number of Maori prisoners to the Chatham Islands. On th; 4th of July, 1868, two years after their exile the Maori prisoners at the Chatham Islands, despairing of the release that had been promised them, rose as one man, overpowered the guard, took possession of all the money, arms, and ammunition they could find, seized tlr. 3 schooner Rifleman, 82 tons burden, airl steered their course towards New Zen-

Whitmore against Titokowaru at Moturoa uus Maori allies in a body withdrew from the attack because the whole Native force was not allowed to go into action. The result was that the colonial force was compelled to retire and left Te Kooti victorious. Hangihiwinui (Major Kemp) alone acquitted himself in a manner worthy of the confidence reposed in him by his European allies. There was consternation, in Wellington when tidings of Colonel Whitmore's repulse at Moturoa reached the capital on the 10th November. "But while the public mind was striving to master the situation, consternation gaye place to horror when it became known that Te Kooti had descended like a wolf upon Poverty Bay, and before dawn on the 10th of November had massacred every man, woman, and child he could lay hands upon. Rusden, in his " History of New Zealand," says : "In the watches of the night Te Kooti and his myrmidons pounced on thei rvictims. Major Biggs challenged some sound ho heard, and was instantly wounded. He retired for his gun, and while loading it was again shot and fell. He implored his wife to fly, but she determined to remain bj Ins side. Her heioism. was equalled by that of a servant who refused to leave her mistress. A boy, one of the few who escaped, told the tale. Though thp house was surrounded, by crawling under a platform in the uncertain light he reached the scrub, from which, he saw a

to endeavour to thread the ranks of the maurauding Natives. He succeeded m procuring help from Tauranga, but for her help came too late. She had been *even clays enduring starvation and torment. She was taken to Napier, but io care could save a life from which all that made" life worth living had been taken. In addition to the Europeans Te Kooti murdered most of the friendly Maoris. Details of the massacre and of tiie many marvellous escapes would fill -a volume. The few survivors were gathered in the redoubt at Tauranga, and subsequently sent in a small vessel to Napier. Volunteers promptly sailed from Xapier, and the aiu of the friendly tribes was sought to avenge the Poverty Bay massacre. A mixed force under Lieutenant Gascoigne marched forward and had skirmishes with Te Kooti at Patuoahi and Makaretu. The Maori chief Ropata was coming to the aid of the friendlies from Wairoa, and joined the force in the beginning of December at Makaretu. The allied forces drove Te Kooti from his sheltering rifle pits after some very daring work on the part of she friendly Maoris under Ropata. Te Sooti had a narrow escape, as he was still suffering from the wound in the ankle received at Ruakiture, and was earied away up the bed of the creek on a woman's back. His capture would

have been easy if the Ngatiporou had followed up, but while devoting their attention to the valuable loot the rebe) leader escaped. The subsequent career of Te Kooti would take long to tell. He now became the central figure of tho Maori rebellion, and although £1000 was offered for his head he continued io repel all attacks made upon him or to escape when worsted. The resources oi the Government were taxed to the uttermost with two sucn notable fighting chiefs as Te Kooti and Titokowaru in the field. The Hau Haus fought with conspicuous daring., and many a stern dght took place between the allied forces and the rebels. Te Kooti made a determined stand in the Ngatopa pa, which was a wonderfully strong position. The pa stood on a peak 2000 ft high on a tortuous forest range, girded on each side

r>y precipitous gorges and rugged intervening ridges. Sortie after sortie wa>> driven back. Colonel Whitmore de--ired to attack the position in front, but Ropata refused to lead his men to certain destruction, and for once his counsel prevailed. The Arawa and Ngatioorou under cover surprised the outer •iitch, and followed up by driving the sap rapidly onward to the next line of rlerence. The right extremity of the fronc was similarly stormed by the Ngatiporou, and by dusk on the 4th January Te Kooti's position was completely invested. At dawn on the sth Colonel Whitmore was preparing to annihilate' ijhem when he heard that the beseiged were escaping. Under cover of the oignt by lowering his men and some of she women down the precipice Te Kooti, wounded a second time, had escaped. Pursuit by the conquering Maoris was immediate and relentless, and afterwards it was ascertained that 136 Hau Haus had been slain. The withdrawal of the Imperial troops about this time made the task of the colonial Government the more difficult. Operations were now directed against Titokowaru, as the power of 'le Kooti appeared to be broken. In august, 1869, Te Kooti was driven out fiom his position at the head of Lake Taupo by Henare Tomoana, where the conquering Maori allies displayed marvellous daring. The rebel was followed up by Colonel M'Donell, who reported shat he fought well and contested every inch of ground. All through the campaign against Te Kooti Kemp and his followers were conspicuous for their loyalty and bravery. Defeated again at Pourere, and wounded in the hand, fe Kooti again escaped, seeming to have as many lives as the proverbial cat. At length on October, 1869, hustled from stronghold to stronghold, and driven to seeking a hiding place in the bush, Te Kooti made overtures for peace to Mr Firth. In a conference Te Kooti told Mr Firth that if the Government would leave him alone he would never fight again. Dr Pollen ordered the arrest of Te Kooti, but the wily savage took refuge in flight. The old adage says, ''He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day." Te Kooti proved the truth of that adage, and soon the war against him was renewed with vigour; but it was of short duration this time, and it was not long before Mr Firth wrote warm thanks to Rangihiwinui and Topia for crushing tbe power of Te Kooti. The Uriwera chief? eventually tendered their submission to the Government, and the Maori war came to an end. Te Kooti escaped to the King country, and there remained unmolested for many years, until an amnesty was extended to him.

COLONEL WADDIE

The subject of this illustration was Colonel of the 50th Regiment, which took an active part in the Maori war.

THE REV. C. S. VOLKNER

The Rev. C. S. Volkner laboured three years at Opotiki as a missionary to the Protestant tribes. Before the war broke out in Waikato Mr Volkner had been a great favourite with the Opotiki Maoris. The Opotiki Maoris were induced to join the Hau Hau rebellion by two individuals who avowed that they had come from Auckland via Waikato, and pretended to have letters from the Kingites inviting the Whakatohea to assist in the plunder of Auckland, which had been taken. The story was readily believed, and the missionary was charged with being the enemy of his people, and the light he was wont to place in his Avindow overlooking the harbour was said to be for the purpose of guiding the men-of-war boats to surprise them at night. Mr Volkner was absent in Auckland, and was warned not to return ; but he replied, "I have done no harm, therefore they cannot possibly have enmity towards me." On the Ist of March, 1865, the clay after the people had been converted to the Hau Hau fanaticism by the two emissaries, the schooner Eclipse arived at Opotiki, having on board Messrs Grace and Volkner. Kereopa, the Hau Hau leader, called a meeting and harangued the Maoris. He told them that if they did not agree to his proposals his God would destroy them. " This is my word. Fetch the pakeha ministers that I may destroy them." Thoroughly cowed the deluded Natives hastened to obey. The

I passengers and crew (excepting the capi tain, who was a Jqw) were marched to ; the Roman Catholic Chapel, where they ! were kept standing two hours while their fate was being debated. Finally they were all placed in a wretched hut to await sentence. Another meeting was held that night at which it was resolved to hang Volkner and keep Grace prisoner. About 2 p.m. next day 20 men came to the prisoners' whare and took Mr Volkner, first to the church, where his coat and waistcoat were stripped off and a rope placed round his neck. He was then led to a large willow tree, and run up to a branch ; but after a few moments was lowered and shot through the body by Kereopa. The body was carried to the church, where Kereopa ordered a chief to cut the head off, and called on all the tribe to taste Volkner' s blood. The chief of the Ngatirau. section refused to allow his people to do so, but all the rest tasted the blood and smeared themselves with it. Thus did Hau Hau vengeance fall upon a good man, who had devoted his life to the regeneration of a barbarous people. To the honour of the Maori race it may be mentioned that there were those who did not lift a hand against their minister, and even risked their own lives in an attempt to rescue him. After living 15 days in companionship with horrors, the Rev. Mr Grace escaped on board the Eclipse, and was probably saved from a like fate to that of Mr Volkner

MAJOR KEMP

Te Kepa Rangihiwinui, Arawa chief and Native magistrate, rendered the colony signal service in leading the friendly Arawa and other tribes against the Hau Hau rebels. Under the name of Major Kemp he was better known to the Europeans. The fearless leader of a brave tribe, he pursued the enemy with relentless daring, and his superior knowledge of Maori warfare made him a valuable ally. On more than one occasion had his advice been taken the wily Te Kooti would certainly have been captured, and since the war it has been recognised that had Kemp been given a freer hand there would not have been so many successful attempts at evacuating their pas by the rebels after they had been practically invested. There was scarcely an expedition of any importance in which Te Kepa did not take a leading part, and but for his dash and strategy the allied forces would have been repelled many a time when attacking a rebel stronghold. The exploits of Major Kemp and the Arawa tribe form an mportant chapter in the history of the Maori war. After the war was over Kemp, honoured alike by Europeans and Maoris, lived to a good old age, passing to the Reinga about a year ago.

COLONEL WHITMORE.

Colonel Whitmore, well known in the arena of New Zealand politics was a prominent figure hi the Maori war. In the war against Titokowaru Colonel Whitmore took a leading part and displayed both skill and daring in subverting the tactics of his dusky foe. As commander of the allied forces Colonel Whitmore performed many daring feats, and with the troops under his command

was the display of courage by Rewi, chief of the Ngatimaniopoto, and his brave followers at Orakau. When surrounded by the allied forces and all chance of escape rendered well-nigh hopeless Rewi was called upon to surrender, but hurled back his defiance in these memorable words : "Ka whawhai to v ake ake" (I will fight for ever and ever). The plan of the Orakau pa which we have produced will enable our readers the better to understand the position. The story of the attack upon the pa we have compiled from an account of that historical fight by Major Mair, Maori interpreter, who was present all the time, and carried General Cameron's proposal to the beleagured Maoris which evoked Rewi's spirited reply. As Major Mair wrote the account in a letter to a friend shortly after the fight and while the incidents were still fresh in his memory his version of the battle of Orakau is reliable. Towards the end of March, 1863, information was received that the rebels had occupied Orakau in force. A reconnaissance revealed the fact that the rebels were throwing up earthworks. An attack upon the Maori position was promptly decided upon. The site of the famous pa was about three miles from Kihikihi and the same distance from Te Awamutu. There was no apparent advantage in the position; but one of the Maori leaders had said, " This is my father's land; here will I fight," and his insistence had carried the day. It was a low rolling mound, the laud sloping down northward almost imperceptibly to

ably supported Kemp with the Maori allies. Having routed Titokowaru and sent him fleeing to forest and mountain fastnesses for refuge, the attention of our men was turned to Te Kooti. Colonel Whitmore hastened to the scene and with a force of armed constabulary and allied Maoris entered upon the pursuit of the Maori freebooter. In the war against Te Kooti, dealt with more fully elsewhere, Colonel Whitmore took a leading part, and showed that he was quite as capable a leader in time of war as in peace. His ignorance of the Maori language made it difficult for Whitmore to gain the active co-operation of tho allied chiefs, and it is said that through a misunderstanding of Maori customs 300 men of the Native contingent remained inactive while Whitmore with his men was being driven back from before Moturoa. Yet the courageous colonel did good work, and his name will always be remembered in connection with the Maori war.

ORAKAU

The Maori race has always been brave and warlike, if their methods of warfare were revolting to civilised people, and amongst the bravest of the dominant tribes of the North Island were the Ngatimaniopoto led by Rewi. Courage and daring in the hour of victory when excitement disarms danger is a common attribute of warlike races; but undaunted defiance with the certainty of defeat apparent and death imminent requires a higher order of courage. Such

a patch of forest. Westward it was almost level, while a ridge curved round the south at a distance of 250 to 350 yards. Beyond the curving ridge was a swamp. A sketch of the position and the tracks leading to it was supplied by two men who knew the ground. One of them, John Gage, agreed to act as guide to the first part of the attacking force under Major i^lythe, who marched that evening and got in the rear of Orakau. The main body marched about midnight, detachments from Haerine, Rangiaowhia, and Kihikihi joining on the road. At daybreak they reached a little swampy stream near Orakau. The ridge at the other side contained rifle pits carefully masked with freshly cut fern ; but not occupied by the enemy, who were evidently surprised before their defences were complete. The position of the rifle pits was admirably chosen, as from there the road could be enfiladed. As the attacking force approached the old village the Maoris opened fire from a knoll on the right, and then fell back along the main road. A detachment went in pursuit, and putting their horses to the gallop came upon the pa. After some sharp skirmishes the pa was surrounded in the afternoon, but not before several officers and men fell under the Maori fire. Two six-pounder fieldpieces were next got into position, and several shots fired, but evidently without effect, so carefully were the Maoris entrenched. Sapping was then commenced from an acacia grove on the

south-west of the pa. On the north the works were so low that the defenders could be seen at the south end as they stood up to fire over the parapet. Mair, who made that discovery reported it, but strange to say the guns were not taken round to the north side. Meanwhile the sap was progressing rapidly, and as soon as the sheltering bushes were passed demi-parallels had to be formed, and these were filled with men who kept up a constant fire on the pa for the purpose of keeping down the fire from that quarter. All the time the Maoris were strengthening their position behind earthworks. General Cameron arrived on April 2, the third morning after the Maori position was invested, and asked the interpreter if he could hold communication wilju the Maoris in the pa, as he wished to offer them terms. l> Tell them," he said, "I admire their bravery and wish to spare their lives, and if they will not surrender themselves will they send out their women and children." The greatest admiration was evinced for the courage and endurance of the rebels, who it was afterwards ascertained had no water, and no food but a scanty supply of raw potatoes and a few melons. The firing was stopped in the sap and Major Mair shouted to the Maoris to cease firing. There was a general lull, and as he stood up he saw that the outwork in front of him was a double rifle pit, with the redoubt behind it. The Maoris were in rows, the nearest row being but a few yards distant. One Maori covered the interpreter while he delivered his mes-

sage. After a hurried consultation, the memorable defiance of Rewi was hurled , back at the besiegers. Mair then asked that the women and children might be ! sent out. There was a short delibera- ■ tion, and back came the answer of the ' women : "If our husbands and brothers are to die, of what profit is it to us that we should live? Let us die with the men." "I knew," says Major Mair, " that it was over, for there was no disposition on the part of the Maoris to parley," so telling them that the negotiations were ended he dropped into the sap. Weveta, who had steadily aimed f.t Mair all the time, hred and the bullet passed through clothing at the right shoulder. In the outwork were the Ngatitekohera of Taupo, under their chief 'le Pareata, and some of the Uriwera under the chief Piripi Heuheu. As soon as Mair dropped into the sap the Maoris resumed their firing, and the soldiers crowded round to hear the news. When told that the Maoris meant to fight for ever, the soldiers cheered, and the fire from both s.-.es became very hot. General Cameron was deeply impressed and General Havelock commented upon the Maori courage. A rush was soon afterwards made from the head of the sap, and the Maoris driven out from the double rifle pits. A connection was soon made with the sap and the end was approaching when an unlooked for event took place. The Waikato, who were in the south part of the pa, rushed out as if by magic and opened a sharp fire on generals and staff. One bullet cut Colonel Pitt's cap almost in half without touching the skin. The staff officers promptly defended themselves, and the troops commenced closing in upon them, when the Maoris disappeared as suddenly as they had emerged from tne pa. Men were dropping fast in the sap, for with a reckless disregard for danger the Maoris stood up and fired right down into the sap. Sergeant M'Kay, of the Artillery, threw hand grenades into the Maori trenches which did terrible execution. While the sap was being pushed forward under the north-west angle of the pa, heavy firing was heard at the south end. The Maoris were escaping from the pa. Rusden thus describes the incident : — " At the rear where the thunders of the great gun had been foiled by the flaxbound fern a double line of the investing troops had been thrown back under cover to enable the gun to open fire. Through that opening, about 4 o'clock in the broad day, chanting their appeal to the God of Battles, and moving steadily as in scorn of their foes, the Maoris marched towards the narrow neck of swamp between the ridge and mound." Brigadier-general Carey says they rushed ; but an eye-witness says : " They were in a solid column, the women, the children, and the great chiefs in the centre, and they marched out as cool as if they had been going to church." Rewi ordered that no shot should be fired, as the little ammunition they had left was needed for defence in crossing the swamp on the way to the Puniu River. To divert the attention of the troops a. Maori sprang upon the parapet with a white flag, but fell riddled with bullets. Wiremu Karainoa coolly walked towards the troops and surrendered. But soon the truth was known, and the troops converged their fire upon the ferny hollow, but Rewi reserved his ammunition. Thinned in numbers the Maoris reached the swamp, when the cavalry swooped down upon them. Wading and plunging through the swamp, and using in their hour of need their scant ammunition, the Maori body reached the Puniu River and escaped after a pursuit of nearly six miles. Orakau had been taken with great slaughter, and it only remained to bury the dead. It is computed that the Maoris had 150 men killed out of a garrison of 300. The English loss was 16 killed and 52 wounded. Referring to the defence of Orakau General Cameron said, " It is impossible not to admire the heroic courage and devotion of the Natives in defending themselves so long against overwhelming numbers. Surrounded closely on all sides, cut off from their supply of water, and deprived of all hope of succour, they resolutely held their ground for more than two days, and did not abandon their position until the sap had reached the ditch of their last entrenchment." Rewi escorted his people to Hangatiki and built a pa there. Again terms of peace were offered to him, but he refused to surrender and trust to the clemency of the Government. Rewi promised, however, that he would remain at Hangatiki in peace if left alone. At the close of the Maori war Rewi was pardoned, and lived to a good age on friendly terms with his onetime enemies.

01-.T3 BLTINrTDS RENOVATED.

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The troops fought their way through and carried with, them their wounded and dead.

TAURANGA REDOUBT

Our illustration shows the Tauranga redoubt and military store as they stood in 1864-5, also the cutter Hazard in the stream. This vessel did good work in carrying despatches and stores to the various outposts along the coast. Tauranga was the headquarters of our troops for some considerable time during the Maori war. The right wing of the Ist Waikato Volunteers received . their land grants here, the left wing getting theirs at Opotiki, where a great many of the men have settled on the land, and are doing fairly well.

GATE PA

The illustration shows the site of the celebrated Gate Pa, and the redoubt built by the troops after the pa was taken. For some time this redoubt was manned by the Ist Waikato Volunteers. LAND TRANSPORT QUARTERS,

TAURANGA

The camp of the Volunteer Corps at Tauranga is shown and on the hill the Monmouth redoubt built by the 43rd Regiment. This redoubt commanded the whole flat.

MAKETU REDOUBT

This redoubt was built hy the 68th Regiment. As will be seen the whares of the men were within the enclosure. The Transport Corps' quarters were at the foot of the hill. Maketu was the headquarters of the loyal Arawa tribe. The chief and three warriors are shown elsewhere.

Lawson, Captain Walker, and Dr Henry. The photo of the group was taken at Tauranga, and it includes names well known in the stirring times of the Maori war.

SERGEANT EDWARDS

The subject of this illustration, Sergeant Edwards, acted as interpreter during the greater part of the war, in which capacity he was attached to the colonial forces.

SERGEANT PROVO.

Sergeant Provo, Dunedin City Guards, was a member of the Ist Waikato Volunteers. He belonged to the Geelong xufles in 1856, and as he has been a volunteer ever since, he is one of, if not the oldest volunteer in New Zealand. He has been recommended for ju Imperial decoration for long service. In all of the exploits of Pitt's Four Hundred Sergeant Provo took a part. We take one extract from the many testimonials held by him. Lieutenant Gundry, referring to the attack upon the Maori position at Te Pango, says: " When ordered to advance and drive the enemy before them, which was accomplished in a very short time, Mr Provo heading nearly the whole of the attack."

YON TEMPSKY.

Yon Tempsky, Lieutenant of the Waikato Volunteers, did distinguished service during the Maori war. Volunteers being required as forest rangers to harass the Maoris^ Yon Temqsky in charge of some 40 or 50 men followed the Maoris wherever they could find them. This brave body of men displayed great daring and endured con-

as ability to meet Native cunning with stratagem. Adjutant Wilson belonged to the Wanganui Native Contingent, and led many an important expedition against the rebels.

GATE PA MONUMENT

Tms monument was erected in the cemetery at Tauranga to the memory of the brave felloAvs who fell in the disastrous attack upon that Maori stronghold.

OFFICERS OF THE 43rd

Four officers of the 43rd Regiment are shown here. The 43rd acquitted itself with distinction throughout a great part of the Maori war, and the splendid conduct of the men was in no small degree due to the splendid example of the officers.

MAJOR-GENERAL GALLOWAY

The subject of our illustration was one of General Cameron's staff officers, ami consequently one of the well known officers during the Maori war.

MR FULLON

It was not only on land that Europeans were victims to Maori treachery, for on more than one occasion they seized small craft and either killed the crew and passengers or took them prisoners. Mr Fullon was amongst those killed when the Maoris captured the cutter Kate trading on the coast.

TE KOOTI.

The name of Te Kooti was for long one of evil omen amongst the Europeans of the East Coast. In November, 1865, there was a large gathering of Hau Haus at apa on the East Coast. The friendly Arawas co-operated with the colonial

land. Te Kooti compelled the crew to navigate the schooner to Poverty Bay. On the 10th July the schooner anchored six miles south of Poverty Bay. The crew were kept below while the women and children and some of the Maori warriors landed at night. Next morning the cargo was taken ashore, and the having brought off a couple of casks of water to the schooner told the crew they could go where they liked, as they were done with them. Captain Biggs, who commanded the colonial force at Poverty Bay, hearing that the Chauiam Islands prisoners had landed, mustere^ 50 Europeans and 53 Maoris and marched to where Te Kooti had taken up his quarters, and called upon the prisoners to surrender. This they refused to do, and finding the Maori force and position too strong, Captain Biggs resolved to act on the defensive, and appealed to the Government for a stronger force to retake the prisoners. But j.e Kooti promptly defeated the force sent against him, and retired into the forest fastnesses, and though Colonel Whitmore strained every nerve to surround the wily Maori leader Te Kooti continued master of the situation. Three times within a month Te Kooti was brought to v bay by his pursuers, and each time he worsted them. Wounded in the foot and with many of his followers wounded, Te Kooti made good his retreat into the interior, and in a month's time was heard of 100 miles from the coast. Meanwhile misunderstandings had estranged the friendly Maoris, whose chiefs were sulking in their tents. In an attack led by Colonel

Maori beating out with the butt end of his musket the brains of Major Biggs.

. While murder stalked from house to house an old man slept soundly in a little hut, and rising after dawn, was proceeding to nWk his cows, when he found his footsteps amongst the bodies of the dead. He ran in horror to a house he knew, and found dead bodies there. Unseen by the triumphant savages he fled to Tauranga, and thers overtook the other refugees. At the house of Captain Wilson (military settler) the murderers had found the door barred, and fire was applied. The captured inmates were led some distance before the work of slaughter began. Mrs Wilson fell wounded, and apparently dead, as her husband was bayoneted. After a long swoon she saw around her the bodies of her husband and three children and a man servant. One boy eight years old was missing. She lay there all day, during which an old Maori passed and took her shawl. On the following day she crawled back to her old home, and ensconced herself in an outhouse. On the third day her missing boy gladdened her sight." The boy had found refuge in the scrub, and food in the abandoned hut of the old man who had slept through the massacre. While hiding the boy saw the Maoris setting fire to the houses that remained unburnt. The surprise of meeting was mutual to mother and son. The boy found some eggb, and procured potatoes from an old Maori named Hori Warakini. With i:reat difficulty she then wrote a messagp on a card appealing for help, and sent her boy away with it,