Our Illustrations.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 24, 9 December 1908, Page 2

Our Illustrations.

A RARE PLAN OF RUAPEKAPEKA.

PRESENTED TO AUCKLAND CITY. On page 23 of this issue we reproduce a plan of the famous Ruapekapeka pa. captured on January 11. 184 b. after a bitter struggle. This plan was tin* property of Mr. C. Ruck, of Parnell. Auckland. whose father, the late Capt. Atkyns. played a disti.ngiiished part in the engagement, as will be seen from the following letter from liis cohuyanding ofii-rr. It is written rather over «i year later: “Royal Engineer’s Office, •‘Auckland. 10th August, 1847. “Being about to give over the command of the Royal Engineer Department in New Zealand to Lieut.-Col. Bolton, R.E.. I deem it but just before doing so to acknowledge the great obligation I am under for your services whilst serving in the field with me at Ruapekapeka by your so gallantly, with the pioneers under your command, cutting away tin* dense wood, and removing every obstacle that obstructed the view of the batteries. up to the very base of the enemies’ work, exposing yourself and those under your command Io very great danger from the lire of the enemy. and 1 have not the least hesitation in saying that it was principally by your great exertion that tlu* pa was taken much more speedily than it otherwise would have been.— 1 have the honour to be. Sir, your most obedient humble servant, “W. B. MARLOW, “Major Commanding Royal Engineers. “Captain Atkyns. “etc., etc., etc.” HONGI’S ARMOUR. Mongi left on his visit to England <»n March 2nd, 1820, taking his friend Waikato with him. llongi’ was well received in England, and had an interview with King George IV.. who gave him a helmet and a suit of chain armour, which became as famous as their owner, and were used by him till his death. He was also loaded with presents from other persons, but his great desire was for guns and of guns he had but a few. On arriving in Sydney, Hongi sold his presents and bought muskets and powder enough to arm 300 men. How he devastated the country and c\t<‘rjninated his enemies is well known. The armour was buried after his death, and has only’ just been recovered, and placed in the Wellington Museum.