A TRAMP ABROAD.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 1, 6 January 1909, Page 18

A TRAMP ABROAD.

A TOUR OF MARLBOROUGH THE WAIRAU MASSACRE

By

AJOR.

W y \D it not been all dm- to a I I wretched misunderstanding bej tween Captain Wakefield ( repfl JL r< • ent 11 i\e of flu- Xew Zealand M. Land Companx I ami Te Rauparaha I Chief of the Xgatitoas) the darkest page of early xlarlborough history would not Lave been written in the blood of both races. Il arose over the Wairau Plain. Colonel \\ akefield. con tident that his company had purchased this land from tin- tribe, proceeded to take possession by surveying tne block, le Rauparaha. supported by his tiers lieutenant. Rangihaeata and 100 armed natives, stoutly denying having sold an inch of the land, which rightly belonged to him-clf and his tribe, burned the surxeyors’ camps and helped the survey party to carry their things back to their own place. Replying to Mr. Magistrate Thompson’s demand to come aboard the Government brig as manacled prisoners. Te Rauparaha indignantly refused, adding his threat that if In* ( Thompson i did not go In* would stay where he was. but without his head. The survey took plan in April of 1543. and the burning of tin camps in the month of June of the same year. Ike deplorable friction which culminated in such tragic results from tnat lime continued on until actual hostilities (-omnienccd b\ tin* accidental discharge of

a gun from Wakefield's party, and which unfortunately shot dead a native. Over this the Maori atmosphere became surcharged with the demand for utu. Te Rauparaha and his warriors ilew to their guns, and fired into Wakefield’s party, three of which were killed at the first discharge. Then a general battle across the Tua Marina Creek took place, pakehas and Maoris falling on both sides, until quite a number were slain. The other details are harrowing enough. The remnant of Col. Wakefield’s men having lied panic-stricken t«» the bush and raupo covers, the Colonel and Mr. Thompson surrendered themselves to Te Rauparaha. who. according to native custom, despatched them, to make, as they decided, the victory comp.etc. it is somewhat

unfortunate that none of the survivors of that awful time actually witnessed the massacre: therefore we have no European evidence of it: but. at the request of his people. Te Rauparaha and his lieutenant. Rangihaeata. under examination before a Court of Inquiry, held at Waiuanae on 12th February. 1544. presided over by Captain Fitzroy. the newlyappointed Governor, narrated all the land troubles. lie vehemently asserted that neither he nor his people had ever sold any of the Wairau Plain: that they simply burned the toe-toe of the pakehas’ whares because it was grown on their land, and of a right belonged to his people: that neither he nor Rangihaeata wouki submit t«» be handcuffed for simply burning what had been their own: that it was only after the pakehas’ guns had shot Te Ronga. his daughter, ami Rangihae.it i’s wife ami two others of his people that they said. "Friends. stand up ami shoot some of them (pakehasi in payment.” “When xve tired three Europeans fell. ’They tired again, and killed some more of our people. Then the tight became general, ami the pakehas ran a wax. We pursued the pakehas. and killed as We overtook them. Colonel Wakefield and Mr. Thompson were brought to me bv the slaves who caught

them. Ranginaeata ran up to me crying out. "What are you doing’.'” 1 say. "Peace” ikatil. "No peace when your daughter and my wife. Te Rongo. is shot dead by tin* pakeha guns." At Rangihaeata’s instigation Wakefield ami Thompson were killed by the slaves. 1 he rest of my people shortlv after returned

from the pursuit after killing all they could find. Before the slaves killed Wakefield ami Thompson. Mr. Thompson said to me: "Rauparaha. spare my life.”

I answered: "A litt’e while ago 1 wished to talk with you in a friendly way. and you would not. Noxx you say. ‘Save me! 1 will not save you. It is not our custom. bur victory would not be complete unless xve kill the chiefs of our enemies." < fur passions were roused, ami we could

not help killing the chiefs.” This was mainly the defence of Ngatitoa’s great chief and hie fighting lieutenant. Captain Fitzroy, after calm deliberation, held that the English were wrong, and had no right to build houses upon lands they had not acquired; that they were wrong in trying to apprehend the natives, who had committed no crime. On the other hand, the natives erred in killing prisoners who had surrendered to them. Yet he did not call for vengeance on the natives, as the English were greatly to blame, and began the fight.” A photograph of the monument of the Wai ran massacre at Tua Marina, where it occurred, and of a relic (purporting to be Colonel Wakefield’s sword), recently found by a lad near the scene of the tragedy, are given. It may be added that the sword, the handle of wfiich is mounted in gold, is in a marvellous state of preservation, and that, too, after exposure to the weather of over 64 years. I held it to-day for examination, and bent the blade nearly double. A photographic view of the relic appears in this issue of the “Graphic.” A BLENHEIM REPRESENTATIVE INDUSTRY. Covering a frontage to Maxwell-road of 200 ft and two acres of land for the timber yards, the very handsome establishment of that up-to-date firm, Messrs Blytlieli and Co., cannot fail to arrest the attention of all passing that way. The firm, which runs the Blenheim Sash and Door Factory—a factory well found in Hornsby-Stockport 37 h.p. gas engine, which, on a 50ft. shaft, effectually drives, under the careful eye of Mr Hodson (foreman) all the different machinery used for planing, morticing, tennanting, shaping, round and band-saw, ripping, emery wheels, grindstone for toolsharpening; also getting rid by an overhead tube: contrivance of all chips, shavings and dust; also turns out to the infinite satisfaction of .clients contracts for well-sinking, artistic signwritrng, add manufactures, 'water-tanks, fixes windmills, frhiries pictures, and provides everything required., in house building. They also manufacture ridging, downpipes, etc., and hold their own patent for a spouting bracket .which is finding much favour;.not only amongst Blenheim people, but amongst outside communities. Agents for the Crown Cement Company, they retailed 1000 barrels during the last quarter. Recognising that jarrah timber was the coming commodity, Messrs Blythell and Co.' immediately secured the agency of Millar’s West Australian Hardware Co., and they are doing satisfactory trade in that. In all of these works this eminent firm employs over 60 hands, and it is to this firstclass emporium that townsfolk, farmers, and others desirous of procuring the best invariably go. and they get well served too. 1 hnd a. look through the firm’s tine new premises, and was struck by the excellence of its stock, both in wholesale and retail' branches. Its extensive timber yards occtipy areas on l«>th sides of the road. Views of the employees and establishment (are given in this number of the “New Zealand Graphic.” THE WHANGAREI CARNIVAL. The Hon. George Fowlds. Minister for Education, who was ■ making a tour of the North Auckla-hd districts, performed the official opening, of the great '.'“’a 'days’ carnival organised by the enterprise ing citizens of the ff<j)jris!:ing township of Whangarei. anil held last week during the holidays. Mr. Fowlds was welcomed to ilie North by tiiC Mayor of Whangarei (Mr. McClintock)/ 1 The township was tastefully decorated, for the occasion, and looked extremely well. Greenery, bunting and flic bustle' fif the many visitors gave Whangarei an unwontedly holiday The axemen’s carnival in Kensington Park'was a deiided attraction, and the programme was well contested. The Carnival Cffp, decided in three distances, was Vfon by T. Hanley, with M. J. McEnteer second,, ,E Dumpty proved himself the most expert axeman ,on the ground, and Carried off the underhand.chop, the single saw handicap, ithd the standing, chop. On Wednesday evening there was a procession of those taking , part in the pro-

gramme arranged for Weaver's Park, and the judge awarded the first prize for posters to Miss R. Austin, who represented the “Star and Graphic” in a very handsome dress of grecu and white.. The second prize went to Miss N. Stewart, who was in an effective costume advertising Eion Ale. In Weaver's Park there was an enjoyable programme, among the items being dances by Miss Beresford's pupils, Maori hakas, etc. The solo portion of the band contest resulted:—» Baritone.—P. Prescoe (Waihi) I, F. Fulljames (Whangarei) 2. E Flat Horn.—C. Bryant (Hauraki) 1, J. Mclntyre (Second Battalion) 2. E Flat Bass.—H. J. Connell (Waihi) 1, R. G. Fisher (Second Battalion) 2. Euphonium.—The only entry was G. Tangye ( Hauraki). B Flat Cornet.—A. E. Williams (Hauraki), 43 points, 1; A. Williams (Hauraki), 42 points, 2; Nicholls (Waihi), 41 points, 3. The regatta was held on the third day on the river up near the town wharf. The Waitemata Boating Club, Auckland, won the Whangarei Rowing Club’s Challenge Cup for the second time in succession, and the trophy now becomes the Boating Club’s property. Waitemata won the Maiden fours, with West End second; the junior fours fell to West End, Waitemata .being second; and the Maiden fours (open) was won by Waitemata No. 2,’ the second place lhetng filled by the same club’s No. 1 crew. The other events resulted:— Single Sculls Handicap: Stone, I; Clark, 2. Motor Launch Race (eight miles): —- Shamrock (Patterson), 5m., 1; ilataa (Drummond), 9m., 2; White Heather (Meldrum), ser.. 3. County Club’s Race (one mile)-.—. "Whangarei No. 1,1; Whangarei No. 3, 2; Hamilton, 3. 100yds. Swimming Bace Handicap:— Anderson, 1; Nutt, 2. Cook finished first, but was disqualified for starting before time. 50yds. Visitors’ Swimming Race:—■ Wright, I; Becker, 2; Marett, 3. Boys under 12 (25yds.):—I. Pearson, 1; N, Pearson, 2. Boys over 12 (50 yds;): : —Culpan; I; C. Mac Kay. 2. Club Teams Relay Race:—iWaitemata and Whangarei, dead heat,' 1. " Rowing chib . fours (one mile): —J. Marshall (stroke), W. Jack, Condon, and Meyer, Ist; Bryce’s crew, second. A reception to the visiting clubs was given in the Theatre Royal in the evenlog by the Whangarei Rowing Club. The programme for the final day of the Whangarei Carnival (Saturday) was carried out in perfect, weather to a very successful conclusion. The band marching contest eventuated at 3 p.m., warm interest being evinced in this competition by the majority of the spectators. At the conclusion, the judge (Mr. C. Trussell) issued his verdict as follows:—Hauraki (music, 76, marching 88 J, total 1641), 1; Second Battalion (69. BSf, total 157 J), 2; Waihi (74 79, total 153), 3; Whangarei (66, 56), total 122)), 4. • The band quartet competition terminsted in the Theatre Royal on Saturday afternoon, the results being as follow:—■ Hauraki No. 2, 74 points, I ; Waihi, 72 points, 2; Hauraki, No. 1 70 points, 3. The aggregate results of the band selection competitions were as follow:— Waihi,' 218 pjoints, 1; Hauraki, 212, 2; Second Battalion, .189, 3; Whangarei, 177, 4. In the final of the full teams match, A section (Coburn, Whangarei), 29, beat B section (Baildon, Grey Lynn), 16. The winning team comprised J. Donaldson, F. O. Massey, F, Pearce, and F. Coburn. The final of the pairs match resulted: Wakerley (skip), . Dr. , Moir (leader), Rocky' Nook, 17; Baildon (skip), Brown (leader), Gi-ey Lynn, 17. Another head was played by mutual consent, the result being Rocky Nook,'lB, Grey Lynn 17. An exciting, fjtfujh was provided. In the evening, the finale to the four days’’ festivities was marked by a grand night enter,tainnieiit in Mr 11. Weaver’s paddock. It is estimated 1 that the sum paid put over the carnival was in the Vicinity of £BOO, 'and that the receipts will total within £ 100 of this amount. An attempt ,by E. Pretty and W. Schischka, during, the course of a cireus entertainment to lower the world's record of 12 secs, for double-handed sawing, 18in. block, proved, on the verdict, successful, the performance being timed on two watclies at 9 seconds.

National Dangers.

Major W, P. Drury, late of the Royal Marines, and now an eminent playwright, created.a considerable stir hi A>e west of England by a speech which lie delivered at a clerical function in Cornwall when responding to the toast of the .ormy. Major Drury strongly urged the great need for universal training, and explained why. The Radical Press of the west immediately charged him with raising a bogey and “preaching war to those whose duty it is to preach peace.” Major Drury has replied to his critics in a notable article in the “Western Daily Mercury.” — The following are a few of the more important passages:— “I am charged with having raised, groans and turnip lanterns ail complete, three sheeted ghosts, to wit, the yellow perib, a second Indian Mutiny, and the invasion of England by Germany. “I said that ‘it is an open secret in tlio Far East tMf. Tnpaa ine-.nri one div to try a fall with us for the possession of

our Indian Empire’ To that statement I still adhere. Every student of the East knows perfectly well that it is the openly-avowed dream of rlapatt to become the great maritime Power of that hemisphere. “I dared (o touch upon the universally admitted and obvious designs of Germany, and 1 am to!<l that my deductions are drawn upon the remarks of ‘the youngest lieutenant of infantry.’ Well, Germany is nearer home than India; a Cook’s ticket and a week in the Fatherland are within the reafch of most people, 'rhey will amply suffice. “But, if you go, and have a leaning towards the pifd.ui-esqiie, be careful you are not caught, sketching. The Teuton, you will find to yoar cost, is touchy on that point; he does not believe that topographical imitations of his country are the sincerest form of flattery. It is true that German officers have for years past been engaged without let or hindrance, on a military survey of England. 'l’hat is the way of the fool Englishman, hut the fool Englishman must not expect to find German authority afflicted with simi lar midsummer madness.’’