MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 12 August 1936, Page 4

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for “The Daily Times.”) PANIC IN ’43. The Maori victory at Wairau had, quite naturally, a great influence among the tribes throughout the Colony. The news was broadcast in that mysterious manner ,so well known among aboriginal people. Exaggerated at every relay, it created anew the spirit of resistance, and induced Rauparalia to declare that he would kill every white settler in New Zealand, even if but one of his kindred suffered injury through their acts of protection and reprisal at Wairau. The Maori who had murdered Mr Milne, pending legal evidence and argument, was confined in the Wellington gaol, whence he was boldly rescued by his people. Through entreaty and not by reason of force, he was given up to trial, during which largo numbers of armed Maoris surrounded the Wellington settlement, quite determined that they would prevent his execution by the barbarous and cruel methods of tumanako (anticipation) and rawa (choking). Being sentenced to a long term in gaol, their drastic measures were not called upon.

Tho sympathy of the Maoris was everywhere with Eauparalia and his vengeful ally Eangi haeata (day dawn). They were all bent upon expelling or exterminating the white usurpers, and one Chief said that Eauparalia should not have all the honour and pleasure of killing the white man and marrying the best of their women. The Maori declared that British prestige had faded away and that tho settlers could not now defend themselves. Omens of victory to the Maori and of fear to the white people were drawn from the appearance of the great comet on 3rd March, 1843, and the fall of Shakespeare cliff into the river at Wanganui on Bth July through severe earthquakes. The people were panic-stricken, and felt they were living on the slopes of a volcano. A single shot from either side would have meant death to every European. The Maoris knew it, and it must bo allowed to their credit that they refrained. It was fortunate indeed that tho tension was relieved by the arrival of 53 soldiers from Auckland and a company of the 80th Eegt. from Tasmania.