MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 26 June 1936, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.”) AITTJA, OMENS. From 4th March to 17th April, 1843, there appeared in the South Western sky a comet which was stated by astronomers to have been “the largest and most brilliant ever seen in ancient £odern times.” As viewed by surrs from Wanganui the comet’s tail ured 45 degrees. As fifty per ; cent... of the. pioneers were simple country folks 1 who knew nothing of the then crude science of the heavenly bodies 1 , it is not surprising that they were gravely concerned as to ■\fs significance, more especially when its appearance was coincident with the threats of the turbulent Maori chiefs Rauparaha and Rangiliaeata, whose activities were then devoted tb the prevention of European settlement. Their superstitious dread was accentuated by the seemingly strange action of the Chief Justice, Mr William Martin (afterward Sir William) in refusirig to issue a warrant for the arrest of the rebel chief Rangihaeata, whose threats * were akin to those of our extremist political agitators to-day. If civilised folks were thus disturbed,

the Maori attitude conformed to the teaching of miracles, in which they implicitly believed. They hailed it as an omen, due directly to the invasion the Pakeha. Cutting their faces with shells, tears and blood, flowing freely, they howled incessantly through the hours of darkness, until Eangi, the god of the sky, drove the intruder into the dim distance.

Just three moons later, the reaction came in the Wairau Massacre, when 21 well known Nelson settlers were slain. The people demanded military protection and a panic ensued throughout the Empire. Emigration to New Zealand suddenly stopped, sympathy came like a wave from Britain. Even in Paris a proposal to make national subscription was started to enable the unfortunate settlers to return home (see Galignani’s Messenger 3rd, Apl. 1844). Governor Pitzroy left Auckland in H.M.S. ‘‘North Star” on January 18th, 1844, and arrived in Wellington after a smart voyage of nine days. He then sailed for Nelson to inquire into the Wairaua affair. He publicly rebuked those who signed the warrant for the

twrrtst of Kauparaha and Rangihaeata, and declared that the warrant which «used the massacre was “informal,” statement which was strongly resented. A number of Justices at once indignantly resigned their commissions.