KIHIKIHI.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 87, 20 February 1912, Page 2

KIHIKIHI.

DAYS OF LONG AGO

[Contributed.]

Kihikihi! What does the name recall to the casual passer-by ? A little sleepy, self-satisfied town, surrounded by beautiful and prosperous farms, with cosy homesteads dotted here and there; that, and nothing more. Not much in this tranquility to carry one back to days when things were not so—to days when hardships, dangers and privations had hourly to be faced. Yet here, in the midst of all this brightness and prosperity are links of that past —a past that to this age seems almost as if it had never been. A desire to know a little of those old days led to a long and interesting interview with two living monuments of those self-same times.

Seated in the first private house erected, talking to the first European woman to stand on Kihikihi soil, and who is the mother of the first European born in Kihikihi, those old days were brought most vividly to the mind. This historic spot is now, as it was then, the home of Sergeant and Mrs Kennedy. Looking at the old walls, which still seem strong, although bearing many traces of time and change, one is almost inclined to think the very timbers partook af the nature of the pioneers—a stoutness of heart and a determination to weather all changes. Nearly half a century ago, before even this house was thought of, a body of civilians known as the militia, under the command of Major Hill, were ordered to Kihikihi to safeguard the country, and to keep back the Maoris, who were then seething with hatred towards the white man. Arrived at their destination, the panorama presented was not very cheering. Dense bush stretching to the left on the low-lying land towards Rangiaohia, to the right, brown fern hills, with here and there peach and apple orchards, hot a road anywhere, and only a few whares to mark the habitation of man. The hill (and grounds surrounding) upon which the police station stands, was selected as a camping-ground. A sufficient number of. whares to accommodate the men and their requirements were then erected, and a redoubt formed by parties of men who were not required for defence purposes. Apparently their recent defeat at Orakau and the presence of so large a body of armed men had the effect of frightening the natives, as there was comparatively little defence work required, and no actual fighting done. Still, it was thought wise to maintain the garrison. To keep the men employed large quantities of timber was pit sawn and stack 3d for future requirements. During the two ensuing years Captain Simpv son, a civil engineer, surveyed and marked out 300 acres for a prospective township. The formation of the roads was then commenced. At the end of three years it was thought the country was sufficiently quiet to permit of the advent of women and children. It was then that Mrs Kennedy, with her four little children, came to Kihikihi, and took up their abode in a deserted Maori whare, near the site of the Alpha Hotel, until her dwellinghouse (the one she still resides in) could be built. Any member of the militia so desiring, being at that time entitled to sufficient sawn timber to erect a residence. Mr Keilogha, a member of the militia, next followed the example of Sergeant Kennedy, and brought his wife to Kihikihi. His house —the second erected — was built at the foot of the hill below the Roman Catholic Church, but has been removed some years ago. Others, at intervals, followed the example, and brought their wives and families to reside with them. Among those who followed was Mrs Farrell, who is still alive, and was until a few years ago a resident of Kihikihi. The monotony of life must at that time have been most depressing. Just one humdrum routine of duty, with nothing to mark one day from another; very little communication with the outside world ; only the bare necessaries of life. The crudest of household requirements f* the same brown hills on one side and dense bush on the other, and always a lurking dread of trouble. Such was the life thes? pioieer women were willing to c:i:lure for the sake of home and country. ' For some time nothing of an eventful nature had taken place, when word came from Te Awamutu that the enemy were reconnoitreing on the banks of the Puniu River. Their movements were of a suspicious nature, and a party should be sent out to investigate, but on no account to fire unless in defence. Sergeant Kennedy and a party of five, among whom were Mr Geo. Maunder, sen., of Orakau, and Mr Gifford, father of Messrs G. and A. Gifford, of Te Awamutu, were those upon whom this task fell. Making their way through thick fern and ti-tree and across several deep swamps, they at last caught sight of the foe on the opposite bank of the river. Under cover they watched the Maoris, who seemed to be moving about with some object in view. Filled with the racial prejudice of the times, it was hard to restrain from giving them a volley, but in obedience to orders they remained mute. Human nature

at last gave way, and kneeling ~{ clown the sergeant fired, wounding, or apparently wounding, one man. A general rout followed, and thus was fired " the last shot" in the clays of the militia in Kihikihi. Shortly after this occurrence every officer and man, with one exception, was struck off pay and discharged from defence duty. Sergeant Kennedy, the one retained, was a drill sergeant in the Imperial Army, and was required for service in other capacities and localities. A year's rations was allowed to all who cared to remain, and every officer and man was entitled to one "town section." Private enterprise had scarcely begun to make itself felt and the surrounding country was at a standstill, so nothing was gained by remaining, and the majority moved to other "parts, and the militia of Kihikihi, after about four years' existence, was a thing of the

past. These old clays, clear to the v memory of every one of those who helped to make their history, make many sad when looking back, and on through the years, till this present time, and how often these lines apply to their case: — "When war is looming and clanger nigh, God and the soldier is the country's cry; . When the war is over, and the wrong is righted, God's forgotten, and the soldier slighted.