G.—l

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Who had taken the land from the Maori In the name of the Queen of the far land. Only three hundred warriors were there Entrenched within the weak, unfinished pa, Only three hundred brave men and women To meet the pakeha who surrounded The sod-built fortress, with his well-drilled troops, Nearly two thousand hardy Britons— The Royal Irish and Forest Eangers, And Fortieth Fighters under Leslie. It was the second morning of April, When the colours in Nature's dress were changing From brown and russet hues of autumn To the dark and sadder shades of winter. Three hundred lion-hearted warriors Assembled with Eewi to fan the flame Of deadly hatred to the pakeha Into a vengeful blaze at Orakau, Chanting the deeds of their ancestors, They cried aloud, " Me mate te tangata, Me mate mo te whenua ! " which means, " The warrior's death is to die for the land I " Roaring for blood, our early gun Rent the clouds like a thunder-clap ; Carey cried, " There's work to be done." Close to the walls we pushed the sap. " Ready, lads, with your hand-grenades, Ready, lads, with your rifles true ; Ready, lads, with your trusty blades ; Ready, lads, with your bayonets, too." " Now for the Armstrongs, let them roar: Death unto those that laugh at peace " — Into their nest our volleys pour— " Steady, there ! Let the firing cease." 'Tis Cameron's voice. " Tell the foe To leave the pa —their lives we'll spare. Tell them Britons can mercy show ; Nothing but death awaits them there." Then Major Mair, with flag of truce, before the Maoris stood, And said, " 0 friends, be warned in time ; we do not seek your blood. Surrender, and your lives are safe." Then, through the whole redoubt, The swarthy rebels answered with a fierce, defiant shout, "Kα whawhai tonu! Ake! ahe! ake !"* Again spake gallant Mair : " 0 friends, you wish for blood and strife, With blind and stubborn bravery preferring death to life ; But send your women and your children forth —they shall be free." They answered back, " Our women brave will fight as well as we: Kα whawhai tonu! Ake! ake! ake!" Up rose brave Ahumai then, a chieffcainess, and said : " 0 1 what have we to live for if our dearest ones be dead? If fathers, husbands, brothers, too, as mangled corses lie, Why should we stay behind them here ? Beside them let us die ! Kα whawhai tonu I Ahe! ake! ake!" Again the fiery-throated cannon roared aloud for blood Again the hungry eagle swooped and shrieked for human food Again wild spirits soaring, saw their shattered shells beneath In pools of gore, and still was heard defiance to the death— "Kα whawhai tonu! Ake! ake I ake!" Now, now the bold defenders in a solid body break Right through the sod-built barricade, o'er palisade and stake And leaping o'er the trenches, 'mid a storm of shot and shell, They rushed to liberty or death, still shouting as they fell — "Kα whawhai tonu ! Ake I ake ! ake I " With wild untutuored chivalry the rebels scorn'd disgrace. O, never in the annals of the most heroic race Was bravery recorded more noble or more high Than that displayed at Orakau in Rewi's fierce reply— " Kα whawhai tonu! Ake! ake I ake!" " Hamilton, 12th March. " On Sunday the Premier, Mr Carroll, and party, accompanied by the Mayor and Councillors of Hamilton and a number of residents of that place and Te Awamutu, visited the celebrated Waitomo Caves. " This morning the Premier and Mr Carroll drove out from Hamilton to a Native meeting at Hukanui, twelve miles distant. They were accompanied by Mr George Wilkinson, Government Native Agent, Mr. G. Mueller, Crown Lands Commissioner at Auckland , and Mr W A. Graham. The Native settlement was by the roadside, and on the approach of the visitors the Natives received the party with the usual demonstrations of welcome. The visitors were conducted to the centre of the marae.

* "We will fight for ever, and ever, and ever."