LINK WITH THE PAST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 7, 2 September 1940, Page 2

LINK WITH THE PAST

OLD LADY PASSES EARLIEST HISTORY RECALLED A. link in Opotiki's earliest history was severed on Monday with the passing of Mrs Kateruri (Gert-i rude) Matchitt whose age is reliably •stated to be at least 106 years, says the "Opotiki News." Born in Opotiki over a century ago Mrs Matchitt who was affectionately known to her many friends and relatives as Ka, spent nearly all her life in this district and was over 3C* years of age «t the time of the murder of Rev. Carl Volkner, in 1863, of whom she retained the most vivid memories. She was married to Colonel Gundry in Auckland, the witnesses to the wedding being Colonel Bal Nevis and Major von Tempsky. Many of the vivid recollections which Ka retained were shared by Mr Ngakohu Pera who related many interesting facts to a "News" reporter. Mr Pera recalled having visjted the spot where von Tempsky Avas killed in Taranaki and also the spot where Kereopa, the murderer of Rev Carl Volkner, was hanged in New Plymouth.

Legend of Opotiki. Recalling the legend of earliest Opotiki handed down from generation to generation, Mr Ngakohu Pera told of the naming of Opotiki where Ka and her brothers had spent nearly all their days. According to early tradition the canoes of their ancestors came from Hawaiki* the voyagers bringing with them two holy flsli. When these early explorers arrived they landed at Paerata Ridge where a spring of water was found just below the turn-off tj Paerata Ridge. That spring, which still gives a good fiow of water, was used for placing the two fish in. states old Maori legends. Here the fish were left while the Maoris came to camp at Pakowhai. In the morning the old chief asked his daughter to go and see the Opotiki (the name of the fish). The daughter went to see the fish which came up to the edge of the spring to receive food; Upon returning to Pakowhai the old chief enquired about the fish and upon being told that they were still alive, declared that he would change the name of the place from Pakowhai (which means a meeting place surrounded by kowhai trees : — which were very plentiful here in the early days) to Opotiki, after the fish. The name Opotiki is now used by the Maoris as a pet name for the last child in a family. This legend was often told by Ka to her relatives in Opotiki. Why Kereopn Murdered Volkner. Turning from legend to later happenings, Mr'Ngakohu Pera said that Ka had vivid memories of Rev. Volkner, because she accompanied! him and Mrs Volkner to Auckland jus£ before he returned to Opotiki to be murdered at the hands of the Hauhaus. Mr Pera said that the reason for Kerepoa's action in murdering Voikner had Jieen related to Hon). F., Langstone, Minister of Lands, by Sir Apirana Ngata, during a visit by Mr Pera, Mr Jimmy Apanui, and Mi* Jimmy Ethvavds to Wellington on land complaints commission business. Mr Langstone asked Mr Pera to tell the story of Kereopa, but Mr Pera nodded to Sir Apirana Ngata, as he had often told Ngata the story. Ngata then tokl the horrible story which led Kereopa to become so incensed. At Te Kuiti a preacher was holding a service in a church filled with Maoris, among whom was the wife of Kereopa and his two daughters. While the service was in progress Pakeha soldiers surrounded the church and took the minister ou,t. shutting the Maoris in the church. They then set fire to the church,; burning to death all the Maoris, none of whom was able to escape. When Kereopa returned to Te Kuiti he learned the terrible story of what had happened to his wife and daugh ters. and tlien swore terrible vengeance on any minister who might land in New Zealand. That was the story told by Sir A. Ngata' to Hon. F. Langstone in the presence of Mr Pera, who liad _ previously told Ngata the story.

Volkner Warned. When Ka went to Auckland with Rev. and! Mrs Volkner ancl she warned them not to return to Opoliki on account of the unsettled state of affairs. There were many Maoris from different parts who were stirring up trouble in Opotiki. However, Volkner returned alone in spite of the warnings, and was mur-

dered shortly after his return by. the Hauhaus. When Ka and her brothers heard that Volkner had returned, they Avcre afraid of what might happen aiid set sail in their own boat the "Mere," accompanied by some white sailors. The Hauhaus got hold of the white sailors and locked them up in a small house which stood where the Catholic. Church now stands. When. Ka arid her brother, Ti Wai heard that the men Ave re locked up, they AA r ent along and let them out. Avhile the Hauhaus AA r ere asleep. They took the sailors to their boat and sailed aAvaj r , saving them from the massacre that Avas to take place on the folloAVing day. Gratitude of Government. Because of this rescue, Ka and her brothers Avere granted by the Government, a piece of land beyond the Opotiki Aerodrome, including a large part of the flat. They were later granted a further piece of land being called Otutaupuku, and being situated near the sandhills across the river at the northern end of the Opotiki Borough. This last piece of landl Avas later handed over by Ka and her brothers to the Whalcatohea tribe, of which they Avere members. The old Maori meeting house used to stand AA r here Mrs Graliam'fe house is, and it Avas called "Tukaki." That Avas the reason for the Government ghring this piece of land, on account of its nearness to the meetinghouse. Mill Stream. Before Volkner's murder there Avas a grain grinding mill near the site of the present Opotiki Dairy Factory, near the stream knoAvn as Mill Stream. Here the Maoris used to grind maize and other grain. This probably accounts for the stream being knoAvn to this day as Mill Stream

However, it was destroyed "as a reprisal by the soldiers after Vol liner's murder. Innocent Maori Suffers. Before the arrest of Kereopa, the murdlerer of Volkner, an innocent Opotiki Maori was arrested in error, and although he was hanged in Auck land, it was proved bej T bnd doubl that he was entirely innocent of the crime, and the whole affair was hushed up by the Government. Kereopa Arrested* The soldiers were present in Opotiki to try to capture the Maoris responsible for Volkner'ls murder, but actually the Opotiki Maoris Avho were against the murder, were responsible for capturing the murderer, Kereopa. He was caught by two Tuhoe Maoris at Waimana, who brought him to Opotiki and handed -'him over to the soldiers. Later Kereopa Avas taken to New Plymouth where he was tried, found guilty, and hanged. Mr Pera,, who related the story to the "News, "was friendly with a policeman there and was taken to the place where Kereopa was hanged.