REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR IN NEW ZEALAND.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2172, 13 October 1875, Page 3

REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR IN NEW ZEALAND.

Part XVII, • TEE TEAS OF THE LAMB, Sevedali more expeditions woro under* taken, but with little benefit to tho public service. The villages were found dosertcd,'. and it was obvious that the Hnuhaus had retreated fur inland, Somo of Titokawaru'a Iribo took shelter under Wirerau - at Taranaki, inlaud of the Waitcraltiver, while the .Ngatitupaea's retired to theso almost legendary stronghold, the Ngaehoro swamp, which, from native accounts, was: supposed to bo impregnable. And it certainly was strong, as Colonel Whit. more can testify to, when ho attacked it in January, 1869, and crossed his man over one hundred yards of quaking bog on supplejack hurdles. As it now seemed evident thero was nothing left for tho ' field fdrco to do, the 18th Hegimeut returned to their stations—our Kupapai (native volunteers) to. Wanganui, and tho . military settler portion of the force were_ employed for sometimo iu^tho' peaceful* but tir'esomo work of guarding the surveyors. In May, 1867, tho military settlers were placed on their land, and two companies of Volunteer Miliiia raised to supply their place. Early in June, Titokawaru and his men Visited tho pomp at Waihi, and announced, in his figurative language, that this was the year of tho lamb, meaning a peaceful year, but what tho next year was to be ho did not state. Shortly after, the chief of tho Pakakohi's (Wharo Matangi) ' visited Patba, and, to all appearance, a permanent peace was likely to bo established, but theso delightful anticipations. woro not permitted to last long, for nowß reached Patea that tho Oika and Putalii natives had stopped the survey on: tho Whenuakura Block, and this', was fit onco a casus belli. MeDonnoll, " knowing that tho slightest sign of weakness or inde- ' cision of the" authorities at this moment might involve' the settlers in another protracted war, showed himself equal to tho occasion,for quicklyana silently gathering , his undisciplined force togethoj, he marched one night to tho village of Oika, and, disposing his men around it, rode forward, accompanied by two troopers, and entered' tlfe largest whare, which, as ho expected, was full of armed men. Startled out of their sleep by the rattle of steel scabbards, the inhabitants called out. that they were surprised by the pakeha, but, seeing only McDonnell and the two troopers, their excitement subsided, and all crowded round to hear what had brought the Colonel amongst' them. He did not keep them long in suspense, as he demanded why they had stopped the survey. "The laud is ours,".they re« : plied, " the mana of tho Pakakobi is still over it all, and no surveyor shall drag . a chain across it " McDonnell then. called their attention to the fact,': that when they gave in and,swore allegiance,. ' they were distinctly-told/tho' land .was gone, but thatjuflicient ■ for : them to live ■ on would: be granted to them. He then spoke,'forcibly but firmly, telling them that tostop; the Eurvey.w.ould again.bring, on bloodshed; that the responsibility laid with ihem, and that ho would not leave' until they had decided whether it was. to be peace or war. Driven thus into a corner, they began to bounce, but in the end the leading men promised not further to interfere with tho survey, but to, trust - to the genorosity of the Government. It is a strange fact, but true, that Hauhaus were always ready to trust the Govern- • mcnt; but friendly forces seldom;.or'e.ver. . Forinstanco, there is a Maori at. Patea 1 , with one leg; ho lost tho other fighting \ on tho Hauhau side in tho deaperato affair ; of Eakaramea. After being cured of his .woilnds, seven in number, ho applied to the Government for a pension, on tho scoro that he was wounded in.actiou by . them, and was evidently surprised at the , Civil Commissioner telling him he ought ' to bo shot, not pensioned, and our Maori friend thinks, to this day he has been very . badly used by the Government. But to return; McDonnell having received tho. promise of non-interference, replied, "It is well; I. am content.'' .Then turning to ' • . • one ofjiis troopers, said, " Tell Captain . . Rewland* to- bring'his men into the.vil- . lageandj to tho surprise of those assembled, the tramp of many feot were heard coming down the hill, and they looked ; at one another in dismay. "It is only my men," said, tho Colonel, and for some moments there was a dead silence, whom pn.o man drew a long breath and said, "Is it not lucky we agreed to what McDonnell required of ; us." " What would you have done if we had refused?" said another. "Taken you all prisoners and disarmed you," said McDonnell, "and . if you'had resisted. shot you." This prompt action raised Colonel McDons nell immensely in' the, estimation of the Maoris, and no further trouble was experienced in survey matters from'that tribe.'. About this time > the .'iNgatitupaea! • tribe, who had hitherto kept aloof , from the.: pakeha; signified tlieir : . willingness to accept the' olive br'a'nchi'and . came into a camp (Waihij-with about 70' fighting men. Thus .the Maori horizon was gradually clearing,.and.the_only.soureeofdisquipt®o..— (and -that"only to those versed in Maori customs) were the continued meetings of Titokawaru's tribe, both atTeflgutu oto Mana, and at other placesand although at most of these meetings' both tho pakeha and friendly -natives' were invited and present, they could not imagine, afters* hearing the. speeches, "what ]the meeting was called for.' But.our guide, Kateno, now placed under the charge of Lieut, Gudgeon, who, recovered of his wound,: had returned to his duties, never cea'sedto warn McDonnell and the Civil Com- v missioner, at Patea, that. Titokawaru intended to fight, and would sit up. half ' the night describing to Lieut. Gudgeon Maori customs and legends, and assured him that these meetings were' held to ' obtain the consent of other tribes to a . general rising, which -was' to take place the following year. And although McDonnell, from his per3onalkno'wledgeof Maori character, and faith in Kateno's views, was. convinccd of it himself, the Commissioner derided the idea.- Which of them was right will be seen,in the' - sequel.—T.W.G. * The copyright of these letters reserved. (2b he continued■) .