ATTACK ON ORUARANGI.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20241, 18 February 1938, Page 2

ATTACK ON ORUARANGI.

WHEN THE NGAPUHI CAME. Early Maori History. MISTAKE IN A FOG. SLAUGHTER OF THE WAIKATOS. [Specially written for the "Thames Star" by W.H.]. The following episode from early local Maori history should prove of great interest, as the localities mentioned are known to many in these districts. —Ed., Star. "When the people of Maru had avenged the death of Kai-rangatira, they occupied the lands formerly occupied by those they defeated. The island pa, Oruarangi, became one of their strongholds. When they were occupying this fortress they were suddenly surprised by a war party of Ngapuhi from the Bay of Islands. At this time the Ngapuhi were a powerful people and frequently made excursions by canoe to attack the southern tribes. They fought, however, with "rakau Maori," the old-time weapons, the spear, the taiaha, the mere, the tewhatewha, the hoeroa. When the Ngapuhi made their attack many of the usual defenders of Oruarangi were absent, engaged in their various occupations away from home. The defenders used every means in their power to enable their friends to gain access to the pa unknown to the invaders.

At night their men doing sentry duty mounted their watchtower and chanted in a loud voice the calls given by men on watch. These chants served a double purpose: they kept awake the defenders on night duty and also let the besiegers know they were on the alert.

The particular chant these gave, however, was also to give their friends outside information as to how they could gain access to the pa. One of their leaders, who was endeavouring to come to their assistance was Parera, so the men on sentry duty called aloud these words: —

"Kei O-riri Kei Tarahanga Kia tika mai nei To ara ki au. i Parera e." "They arc at Oriri They are at Tarahanga. ; Come straight to me 0 Paera 01" Night after night these words .were repeated. The Ngapuhi heard the words but did not know what information they were, intended to convey." Eventually the outside forces, under Parera, escaped the vigilance of the "Ngapuhi and found a means of entering the pa by night. The besieged, now reinforced, were in a position to come out in a body and attack the Ngapuhi. Word had been sent to the Waikato people, and a war party from their district had been despatched to assist the defend* ers of Oruarangi. The Ngapuhi fled before the people of Maru in the direction of the Waikato River. A Heavy fog made matters bad for pursuer and pursued. Suddenly the fleeing Ngapuhi were met by the Waikatos coming to the assistance of the Oruarangi people. In the fog the Waikatos mistook the Ngapuhi for their friends. Thinking that tho Thames Maoris were defeated and fleeing from the Ngapuhi, they turned about and fled. The Ngapuhi, seeing the mistake, took advantage of it and slaughtered many of the fleeing Waikatos.

The people of Maru, unaware of the sudden change In events, and believing in the injunction, "Make a bridge of gold for the fleeing enemy," had returned to Oruarangi, thankful that the siege Avas raised and that their enemy had departed. It Avas indeed fortunate for Ngapuhi, for had the victors followed up their advantage the northerners would have been caught betAveen tAvo forces and annihilated.

Ngapuhi did not return to the attack. This battle, owing to the conditions under Avhich it was fought, Avas called Te-Avai-kohu (Water of the fog).