MAORI WAR MEMENTO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14018, 24 September 1909, Page 1

MAORI WAR MEMENTO.

During hit, rcoeiit visit to Auckland, j the Minister of Education received a k'cr.y interesting memento of the Maori Wars from lo Poihipi To Kunic, a Juef residing at Oraiintti, in the shape )t a battle-worn flag which had been u.ed by his father during the fighting Jays in the North Island. Te Poihipi is chairman of the local school comnutLee. and judging from a letter which lie has written to Mr. Fowlds, giving Lhe history of the flag and of his father's services to the Pakeha, he has managed to acquire qujte a considerable amount of literary facility himself. His father's name was Hare Jfeweti To Kunie, und the son describes the old warrior Hit "a roan of influence, v man repressing war, a man of land possessions." He fought with the Briti.h forces during tho Hauhau Avar, and received the flag which his son lms now handed over to the Minister of Education from Sir George Grey, who whs then Governor of the dominion. Te l'oihipi is very proud .of Ins father . as ho has reason to be; but he thinks still more of another relative, Te Poihipi Tukairongi, "a man of action," whoso ughievt'inenU he catalogues in his own quaint fashion. "He was very energetic in furthering the cause of the Queen," he writes. "For instance, he took an active part in promoting (1) the passage of the mails j through (lie bowels of this fish (North 1 .land), from Napier through Taupo and Te Awamutu', you, Pakeha, will know of the year about 1853; {2) the establishment of Taiipo townshjp ; (15) the telegraph line through the bowels or this fish- loyal to tho Queen; (1) fought against the Hauhau.B at Matata, Te Teko — the flog under notice N-longed to these engagements. He fought again at Taupo against Te Kooti, and there again was the flag. 1 w.is n boldior and a policeman during thoso wars; 1 hold mv letter of discharge from Mr. Lewis. Under-Secre-lary. Native Department, dated April 1, 1880; (.">) he became a magistrate, ad\ ised his people towards goodness, and ever held goodness before them unto the time of his death, in the year 18XU." Te Poihipi himself has seen a gnat deal of active service, and has been a good friend to succesive Governments during times of peace. He exhorts the Minister to publish the particulars contained in his letter, and iissnres him that "the children are hehaviiui well, and are obedient to the muster and tho teacher." Tho specIsiclo or a warrior who has fought at Knratia, llerniwi, T»upo, Tanata, Hotorua and a score of other places now nrtitig as chairman of the school coin--mitloo m his nntivo \ illage (s surely imothor tribute to the benoficonce of Uritish methods of colonisation.