PARIHAKA CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1927, Page 8

PARIHAKA CHARGES

A VIGOROUS REPUDIATION

LIFE IN THE “GOOD OLD DAYS.” TARANAKI MAN’S RECOLLECTIONS. Mr M. O’Brien, of Opunake, writes the following breezy account of his experiences at Parihaka and repudiation of the charges made by some of the -Maori witnesses at the commission now touring the country taking evidence in connection with the confiscation, etc., of Maori lands in the early days:— Statements and letters have recently appeared in your columns, and in other papers regarding alleged looting and misconduct of the old Armed Constabulary I’orce on the occasion of the entry of New Zealand troops into the Parihaka Pa under the control of the late Hon. John Bryce and his officers many years ago.

Let me here digress and state that the New Zealand Armed Constabulary Force was constituted by the Armed Constabulary Act, 1867, and repealed in 1886. The force then embraced all Colonial forees then existing in New Zealand, except the “Militia,” and included men doing police duty in the towns. , All were Armed Constabulary men. On the departure from New Zealand of the Imperial troops many men resigned from their regiments, and joined the Armed Constabulary Force, and recruiting for the force commenced. The first Commissioner of the Force was Mr. St. John Brannigan, a Dublin man, a soldier, and a great organiser. The chief officers were Von Tempsky, Colonel Macdonald and others. I have read Mr. Dalton’s letter in your issue of May 6, also Mr. Thomas McCoy’s letter in a former issue. Both narratives are substantially correct. I have not the pleasure of knowing Mr. Dalton, but I well remember Tom McCoy, of No. 7 Company, a man big In mind and stature. On the occasion in question I was at Parihaka as a member of No. 4 Company, Armed Constabulary Force, commanded by the late Captain Newall, New Zealand Cross, afterwards Colonel Newall, a fearless officer, and a Scottish gentleman, whose name is perpetuated in E-gmont county as follows: Newall Riding, Newall Road, Newall School. Many men of the force wore the Victoria Cross, and the New Zealand Cross.

I was then 18 years of age, and, of course, I remember well all that I saw and heard at Parihaka on that day, but no one man could see all that took place. The pa and its grounds wer» large, and contained ' about 25,000 Maoris, and was encircled by about 3500 armed men, as follows: about 1500 Armed Constabulary men, and 2000 volunteers with four guns (field artillery), John Bryce, on his white horse, directing operations. There were also present about 1000 camp followers, civilians, and sightseers. At that time it was well-known that the Maoris had many rifles, taken from dead soldiers, and the authorities were anxious to get possession of these. The dead bodies were always found, but never the rifles or accoutrements.' After Te Whiti’s arrest, No. 4 and other companies, were ordered into the pa to search for rifles, not for loot. A most careful search was made under the eyes of Captain Newall and his sergeants, and by the othe; companies under their officers and sergeants, but no rifles were found. A large number of fowling pieces was found. These were sent to the Opunake Redoubt. Even if men were inclined to steal it could not be done without tne officers and sergeants seeing it.

We had, however, one thief amongst us. After the search this man concealed a double-barrel fowling piece. His mates insisted that he give up the gun. He refused . His comrades reported the matter, and gave evidence against him, and he was sentenced to a term of hard labour in New Plymouth gaol. Was this the conduct of looters and thieves? Goodness knows there was little at Parihaka that day worth taking. The poor Maori people had little of the world’s goods except their lands. The flp.x mat was about all the elothing they had. Hate or boots were not used. The mat, however supplied the need of short frocks for the ladies.

After the search there w r as general confusion. We withdrew to seek shelter for the night and to mount strong guards and pickets. We had no tents. Then the camp followers and the others rushed into the pa without any supervision whatever. The doors of the huts were open. The Maoris were all on the meeting square. The volunteers also entered the pa. If looting occurred it could be done with safety then.

The men of the Armed Constabulary Force were above and beyond looting. Very many of the rank and file afterwards rose to high positions of trust and otherwise in the Government service of New Zealand and Australia. The iate Colonel Malone and the late Major James O’Sullivan being two of our comrades. Another entered Parliament for Christchurch. Many others became inspectors and superintendents of police in New Zealand and in Australia, Governors of gaols and so on, commanders and instructors in the old Volunteer Force. Very many others were, and some are still, successful settlers on this coast, and who can with truth say that any of them were dishonest or dishonourable men? The contrary is the case. The people of Taranaki are deeply indebted to the men of the Armed Constabulary Force.

The chief officers in command at Paf<haka were Colonel Roberts, New Zealand Cross, Captain Newall, New Zealand Cross; Major Gudgeon, Major Goring and Major Tuke. There were also present Major Mair, Major Seannell and Major Northeroft. The latter three were then acting resident-magistrates. It was said that they smelt powder (which they loved) and just blew in to see what the row was about.

I must again revert to the volunteers and looting. One company of naval volunteers had to be deported to Rahotu for killing and eating Maori cattle and other misconduct. Immediately after Te Whiti’s arrest a reduction in the strength of the Armed Constabulary Force commenced, and was continued until every man with a black mark or complaint against him was dismissed from the service. I was at Parihaka from the day we entered until the day we abandoned the camp, a period of three years, during which time I never saw Maori women or children ill-treated or insulted, unless it was when maidens lingered unduly in the vicinity of the camp ostensibly listening to the music

of the band. On such occasions the ladies were ordered off by the sergeants. I am told that ladies of every colour the world over are partial to soldiem. The wives of officers and the wives of some of the sergeants and men lived in the camp. That splendid lady, Mrs. Major Goring, being their leader. We sometimes thought that they were the real commanders-in-chief of the camp. Lord help any man that was accused of misbehaviour. No secrets could be kept. Murder will out! Little misconduct occurred at the camp. Major Goring and his officers kept us engaged every afternoon in manly sports. Our good sergeant-major, Mr. William Whyte, now living in retirement at Manaia, on Saturday after-

noons in his red coat led his pack of harriers in full cry, shouting “tally-ho!” with Major Goring close up, and we after them on Maori crocks, falling heels over head. Mrs. Goring and her lady assistants organised concerts, theatrical entertainments and military balls, not the military hops that we hear of nowadays. Oh, for these days again 1 Cocktails and cigarettes were not in evidence in those days. Happy did the settlers’ families consider themselves when they received an invitation to these entertainments. I have written this statement in defence only of my dead comrades’ memory. Those of us still alive are able to defend ourselves where necessary.