FLIGHT FROM THE MAORIS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1934, Page 2

FLIGHT FROM THE MAORIS

BATTLE OF WAIREKA RECALLED. ■» —. —— . . z DEATH OF AUCKLAND RESIDENT. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Harris-, on, who landed at New Plymouth long, before the Maori wars, and settled at Omata, Mrs. Sarah McComish, who as a girl had to seek refuge at New Plymouth when the battle of Waireka was fought close to her home, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. Fuller, Chelsea Avenue, Otahuhu, after many years’ residence at Auckland. Mrs. CcComish often related tales of the early days, when the settlers were struggling against adverse conditions and fear of the rebel natives, who plundered and destroyed harvests, stores. and homes. .The historic battle of Waireka was fought close to the Harrison homestead. When the alarm was given, the women and children were put in a bullock dray and taken to Marsland Hill barracks till the trouble had passed by. Last year a party was given to Mrs. McComish on her 88th birthday, at the home of her eldest, daughter, Mrs. G. Dye, Kaukapakapa. When 'lB years of age, Mrs. Harrison was married in Taranaki to the late Ml. James McComish, who at that time was bankmaster of an Imperial regiment. Some old Aucklanders still remember James McComish, who was a crack cornet player in the early days. Mrs. McComish was caretaker of the old Choral Hall the night it was burned after the function arranged for the Duke, of Edinburgh. That was in the ’sixties. She remembered the Duke very well, and recalled that at times when he had been playing a violin in the Choral Orchestra, sometimes he would run into her room and ask for water in which to dip .his fingers. Mr. McComish served in the Crimea and through the Indian .Mutiny before coming io Taranaki. He formed the first military band in Auckland, ths Hobson Rifles.