TABLEAU FROM ’69

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3799, 24 August 1936, Page 5

TABLEAU FROM ’69

UNREST IN THE KING COUNTRY. “LET THE SUN SHINE.” A picturesque tableau of the historic past is revealed within the covers of a slim volume to be found in the Turnbull Library; an incident in the development of the King Country small in itself, but yet which had an effect for lasting good. Tho actors, stalwart chieftains of the Maori race, names which are still in frequent use, and a small Government party headed by the then Native Minister, Mr Donald McLean. The setting, a remote village within the forbidden territory, the unknown Rohepotae, beyond the "aukati” line of the King Country. Material enough upon which to build any narrative, adventure of conjecture, but the unembellished official document needs no artificial help. What was this fragment of history dated 1869’1 Five years before, in 1864, the Maoris had made the famous last stand at Qrakau. Defeated, but honoured with immortal fame, on the second day of April they had retired within the closed domain of the King Country, and here, oyer hills and plains extending south ’of Taupo Lake they had lived without interference. Rewi Maniapoto, leader, chief, and sage of the Ngati Maniapoto tribe, held virtual power within the area. Domiciled also on his lands were representatives of the Waikato tribes, and Tawhiao the “King" himself was living at Tokangamutu (Te Kuiti).

REQUEST FROM REWI. McLean had received a letter from Rewi Maniapoto (who had latterly come to be known as Manga), requesting a meeting, and the opportunity was too important a one for the Government representative to overlook. Quickly reaching the Waikato, he spent a night at Alexandra, and there met Ahipene a chief friendly disposed, who was returning from Tokangamutu. His news was not reassuring. Great unrest was felt, he said, amongst the leaders, and McLean was well advised not to proceed farther.

Two days later, however, McLean reached a settlement on the right bank ot the Waipa river at Otorohanga, a limit post on the protected “aukati” line. Waiting there he despatched a note to Manga, who had not appeared. An interval elapsed during which it was learned that there was a general dissatisfaction amongst the tribes as to where the meeting was to be held. Then a note arrived from the south saying they would agree to talk at a place called Pahiko. McLean journeyed on once more.

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. A large gathering awaited him, but few words were spoken. Recognised amongst hundreds of faces were the well known features ot Rewi, Tamati Ngapora (Manuhiri) —together the instigators of the conference—Taonui, Hauauru, and Tuhoro. A mood of sullen calm prevailed. The customary food was partaken of, and as no one rose to speak McLean transgressed the native custom by rising himself.

In a forcible address he explained that matters between the two races were not what the Government hoped to make them. That his mission there was to make the Government’s aims understood. He asked if they could not work together for peace. Minor troubles amongst themselves, murders, and reprisals, would, he hoped, be ended. The Government knew that Te Kooti (a wanted man at the time) was in the King Country, and they could not allow him to be protected there unless his barbarous depredations on to the border settlements were ended. The Government was determined, he repeated, to prevent internecine warfare and sup press outrage. Only by understanding one another and being agreed that these things were not helping them, could they begin, and would theii meeting that day be worth while.

A long silence ensued. At length Rewi, coming forward, spoke earnestly and emphatically. "This is my word,” he said, “Kati, Kati, Kati, me mutu. Cease, cease, cease (fighting). Let it end!” Te Kooti, if he had been in the .King Country,’ was not harboured by Rewi. Some of his followers who were living quietly would be vouched for. Rewi then asked the Government's intentions regarding a chief who had been detained, and the facts regarding a block of land at Taupo, points on which it appeared a lot of misconception had existed. A general satisfaction ensued, many of the Maoris coming up to personally speak to McLean, to whom he had for each a pleasant word. At the close of the day Rewi observed that a great deal had been accomplished. “Other days will be coming. Let the sun shine and the rain fall on the words now spoken. Only a pin-point ot light is now visible, but like a dawn it will spread.”

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE. From this impartial document printed at the actual date of the occurrence, emerges a fine testimony to the wise leadership of Rewi Maniapoto. Was ever a native ruler overtaken by a new civilisation more conscious of his tremendous obligations, better placed to discharge them, or so sagacious in far-seeing philosophy’ Some time in the future, as the years roll on, and we delight in these incidents of New Zealand history more so perhaps than we do to-day, a man and an event will be due for preeminent and undying notice; the one, Rewi Maniapoto, supreme chieftain of a splendid people, the event, epic Orakau, where he led a host of tribes to classic immortality through defeat.