MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 1 November 1934, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.”) DEFEAT. After the disaster at Ngutu o te Manu the camp at Wailii (Nonnanby) was in a deplorable state. In the crowded camp hospital the sick and wounded had littlo or no comforts and no one dared move outside tlie fort. The great Rangatira, Hori Kingi, had died at Wlianganui and the Kupapas must attend the Tangi, a ceremony strangely like the Irish wake.The camp must be removed to Patea and the territory gained by three years toil and loss of life abandoned. Titokowaru moved unseen in a parallel line through the busli not more than a mile from us, and established himself at llulcatere (snowstorm) on the upper Patea river, forcing us to abandon our post at Kakaramea (scented place). Still moving south beside us he built a Pa at a spot them known as Moturoa, using great tree trunks each rolled in by a hundred men to form a palisade against which cannon, was useless-. ■ The town of Wlianganui, though they had 1500 militia, became alarmed. Two companies of the 18tli Royal Irish, then, under orders to leave for England, were sent to assist as a garrison. Colonel McDonnell resigned his district command because of civilian, interference from Government officials. Colonel Whitmore, a brave but tactless officer, was appointed. He gained . a good name in the Crimea, but was ignorant of the tactics of the enemy or the customs of the Maori allies. As lie was ever ready for a fight he was tolerated, hut never attained the same regard as Fighting Mac. Titokowaru swept away every head and hoof of cattle and horses, burned every settler’s house, ambushed the tracks, and killed several settlers and despatch riders. , Major Roberts re-enlisted 100 good men of the 57th and Te Kepa rejoined with 400 Kupapa braves. Whitmore discharged every waster, making us feel that now wo could fight once more. Four hundred Maoris and two hundred and fifty Pnkehns made the attack on Moturoa. on 7th November. 1808, at 6 a.m. The complete investiture of tlie Pa and capture of Titokowaru by starvation seemed certain. Through Colonel Whitmore’s complete ignorance of Maori Mann, lie unwittingly insulted a Maori Chief, whoicupon the 400 Kupapas refused to enter the bush or take part in the tie-lit. The Colonel decided to proceed with his small quota of braves, but with disastrous results.