A REMINISCENCE OF THE WAIKATO WAR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 176, 4 June 1879, Page 2

A REMINISCENCE OF THE WAIKATO WAR.

One of the staff of this journal recently called on Mr Macfarlane, sen., of Paterangi, after the close of the native meeting atTe Kopua. Those who served in tho Imperial or Colonial forces during the war in Waikato will remember that Sir Macfarlane resided inside the Maori lines during the operations against Parerangi. A white flag was kept flying on a rising ground near his house, and being always visible from the breastwork on the European side, the spot was never molested, by shells. Mr Macfarlane, though now very aged, is still hale and heany ,and lives precisely in his old way. An interesting conversation took place on tho occasion of the visit of our reporter, who knew Mr Macfarlane as far back as 18G4, and incidentally reference was made to one of the occurrences of the operations i in front of Paterangi, which is a matter of history, It was customary to place a line of sharpshooters on a fern hill, within about 800 yards of the centre of the outer breastwork 011 the Maori side, and so accurate was the fire that the natives were completely kept down. One day, however, tho sharpshooters were taken aback by the spectacle of a Maori cooly walking along the breastwork, It was not until tho man had jumped off the breastwork that tho sharpshooters recovered from their surprise and poured in a volley, which sent the dust of the breastwork flying. Someone suggeted that the Maori might repeat the experiment. Rifles were re-loaded, the best judge of distance gave the most accurate range, the Enfield were rested 011 the fronf of the rifle-pits, and tho men waited patiently. The Maori came up again walked a few spaces, when all the rifles were simultaneously bischarged. He staggered and fell shot through the head. The explanation camo out in the conversation with Mr Macfarlane. The Maori was a young chief who was anxious to distinguish himself. He went to light his pipe at one end of the work,' crouching down to avoid the lire of the shattjishooters, Some of tho natives said ' liptingly, " Why don't you light your pi* on the top] It's hot enough there." His pride was roused, and he coolly stepped up and walked along the breastwork as described. Then the natives said, " You dare not do that again f He dared the rash vonturo and died, Sucli is the story of ia young Maori brave.