FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143451, 23 March 1911, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

TARANAKI’S EARLY HISTORY. (From tho Taranaki Herald, 1861.) Saturday, March 23.—A letter by the steamer from Waitara, dated yesterday, says:—“We have had a lovely day and a pleasant change from tho grove this morning; it is a lovely spot. About sixty yards further on lies the flagstaff which was seen on the day No. 2 redoubt was erected. Close to it, about 20 yards further, are two graves, ono of a Native who was killed when the 65th occupied Kairau, and the other that of Private Jas. McKindry, 65th Rcgt., who was killed by an ambuscade on January 16. Each grave is enclosed. McKindry was shot by Hapurona’s party, and died as he was carried off, and was not tomahawked. At tho head of McKindry’s grave is a piece of board, with the following inscription :— l ‘Hanuere 16, 1861, He Pakeha.” Private Ramsay, of the 40th, who fell here on Sept. 11, 1860, is buried hero somewhere near the Native who was killed on that day. Hanurona shot Ramsay; he was close to him, only about 15 yards. Mr. McLean and the Chiefs wont over to see Wi Kingi’s people about 11 A.m., and returned to Huiraugi camp about 1.30 p.m., bringing about a dozen of Kingi’s people with them. They look well, and don’t appear to have suffered much; they show tho marks of their wounds in many places, and it is really wonderful how they get over them so well. The Waikato who got away at No. 3 redoubt on January 23 with tho bayonet stuck in him is alive and well again, and keens the bayonet as a trophy. Ho had three severe bayonet wounds, and yet recovered. When Mr. McLean went over to Mataitawa tho Natives exhibited the greatest possible degree of joy to see him and his party. They appear to be well sick of tho whole affair.” It is rumoured that Wi Kingi and Hapurona have sued for peace, and have agreed to surrender all tho land between Waitara and Waiongona, and as far inland as Te Arei. The following chiefs accompanied Mr. McLean from Auckland:—Apcmana, Ngatitama hapu, from Wakatu; Hoepa, Ngatitoa hapu, from Porirua, near Wellington; Mongonui, Ngapuhi hapu, from Bay of Islands; Hoani Ropiha (John Hobbs), Ngapuhi hapu, from Auckland; Pirikawau, Ngatiawa hapu, from Waitara (cousin to Kingi), lives in Auckland; Rihari, Ngatimahuta hapu. Waikato, from Mangere, near Auckland; Natono, Ngatiiuanui formerly, now a Waikn.to, was brought away when a child, and lives at Manukau.