THE PA IS ENTERED

Te Ao Hou, October 1956, Page 42

THE PA IS ENTERED When the British troops arrived, they encamped some distance away to the north. Scouts from both camps spied out the strength and dispositions of the enemy. Clashes occurred during this reconnaissance. A negro, spying for the British side, was shot near the well in the pa.

The bombardment of the fortress by the British, and its effect on the defences as has been described by historians, must be accepted as correct, heaviest and most powerful cannons were brought against this pa. A woman was decapitated by being struck by a cannon ball. Otherwise nothing of real interest hapepned till one Sunday, feeling the need for rest after the pounding that had been going on for some time, and thinking that no attack would be made by the British, the Maoris left the defences in order to hold a church service behind the pa. Fortunately for them they did so, for had they retired into the dug-outs they would have been trapped like rats. Instead, they retired to a position nearly 100 yards from the front line trenches. Prepared for immediate action they were able to take up the attack from outside the pa when the alarm was given. Kawiti and his slave were the only ones in the Cannon used in the war against Hone Heke and Kawiti, not at Ruapekapeka Pa. (Dominion Museum Photograph) pa when it was entered. It is said that he was asleep in his own dugout near the look-out position and close to the rear of the pa. This probably saved him as it would have taken a while for the soldiers to reach this area which was close to Kawiti's fighting men encamped outside. Maori warriors, using their muskets, taiahas, patitis and other weapons quickly returned to join in the fighting outside the pa. Toughened by experience, Mataroria, Ruatara and Motiti would equal many men. A fierce but brief encounter took place, and before long the soldiers and friendlies took to flight. Casualties were suffered by both sides. Ruatara was fast and it is stated that he alone slew a number of men. An incident or rather a series of incidents is described regarding the escape of Pukututu from possible death by Ruatara's tomahawk. Pukututu was a local chief, a relative of Kawiti, but owing to tribal differences, found it convenient to be on the opposite side.