RAWIRI PUHIRAKI.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 85, 16 May 1914, Page 14

RAWIRI PUHIRAKI.

''Sacred to the memory of Kawiri .. Puhiraki, a chief of the Ngaiterangi ! Tribe, who led the Maoris in battle at Gate Pa on April 29, and at Te -Renga on June 21, 18(i4, being killed in the latter engagement. This monument; is erected on the fiftieth anniversary of his death, by people of the British'and Maori races, to commemorate his chivalrous and humane orders for the prptcc: tion of unarmed or wounded 'men who fell into the hands .of the Maoris,.and. for the respectful treatment of the bodies of. any of their enemies slain in battle. This order, framed by Ravviri, with the assistance and approval'of Hennre Taratoa and other chiefs, was ; loyally observed by his followers, and after the repulse ot ! the assault on Gate' Pa, the British wounded who lay all night in and around the pa were given water and treated with kindness. The chivalrous conduct of the Maori leader and his people so impressed t.hei<r contemporaries that Kawiri's body was exbumedan 1870 from the trench at Te Eenga, and re-interred at this spot with befitting ceremonies. The seeds of better feelings betAveeu the two races, thus sown on the battlefield, have since borne ample fruit; dissatisfaction has given-place to loyalty, and hostility to friendship, British and Maori now living together as one united people." •Such is the Engl is li inscription to be carved on the handsome granite lhoiiu" ment which is shortly to be,erected over the grave, of the famous Maori, warrior, whose remains now lie'.in.the old mHilary cemetery at Tauranga. ~