FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144085, 2 May 1913, Page 4

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

TARANAKI’S EARLY HISTORY. (From Taranaki Herald, 1863.) Saturday, May 2.—lt transpired on Monday that information had been received from the Natives on Sunday that they would “hnako” (commence) on Monday or Tuesday; and in consequence ot this information tho friendly Natives at the Henui immediately , despatched a messenger to a part of their people at work on tho busli road to the proposed German settlement, .who at once abandoned their work- and, together with tho Europeans and overseers, came into town. Some families at Waiwakaiho also came into town. Monday and Tuesday, however, passed over without tho threatened blow being struck, and the only stop taken by the authorities was to despatch tho Assistant Native Secretary on Monday to the Poutoko, who dissuaded travellers from proceeding beyond that place —and with reason; though we behove when ho arrived there the danger was over. It seems that on tho morning of that day 45 Taranaki Ntotives wore lying in ambush on tho Tataraimaka. Hoad with tho intention of murdering tho first - European who should pass. Tho ambush was divided into three, parties, numbering respectively 20, 15, and 20. Tho first was at the ton of the hill at Oakura,, hidden in a Native wharo there; the second at tVairau, half-a-mi!o or so further on; and the third at Oao, about the same distance beyond. The middle party was, to fire and tho outside parties prevent escape. Tho leaders were Totaia and Apcrahaina, and the men chiefly from the Patukai and Upokomutu hapus of the Taranaki tribe. They took up, their position on Sunday night,.and retired on Monday morning, having been recalled by Tamati Hone Ornukawa. of Ngatiruamii, it is said. The “take” or cause of this ambush is not exactly known, but it is probably cither because of the late attomjit at road making at Tapuao, or from a simple desire of the most active spirits to begin the war. The explanation first given, that it was because they supposed I’atara (a neutral Native) had been shot by tho soldiers at Tataraimaka is unfortunate in this, that Patara Himself had told the Mataitawa Natives - ,on the Friday previous not to send Their carts into'town as Taranaki was going to “olio” (spring up to light) on Monday or Tuesday.

One of the‘settlers, who,, as -an .orderly, canto in from Tataraimaka, onlv a short time after tho Natives retired, reported haring seen a groat ndmiber of footmarks on tho road at different places. This.person was providentially ! detained half-an-hour at .Tataraimaka; for. had he left the camp at the usual hour for starting there; is every reason to believe ho would have been savagely murdered. During tlio wcok settlors and military have been to Thtaraimaka and back without molestation.

[On Monday next publication of the '‘Journal of Events” from the old tiles will bo resumed, the first instalment containing an account of the Wajrnn ambuscade, when Lieut. Tragett,. Surgeon Hone, and others, were murdered by the Natives.]