EARLY HISTORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 208, 4 September 1940, Page 8

EARLY HISTORY

WAIMANA -RESIDENT'S OBSERVATIONS THE CAPTURE OF KEREOPA Tlic contribution to history gleaned from the relatives of the late Mrs Matchitt, who lived over 106 years at Opotiki,, should be of great value to those who take an interest in the past of the Bay of Plenty, says Mr Robert Black, of Waimana, in a letter to the "Opotiki News," I would like, however, to correct that part which says that Kereopa, who murdered the Rev. Volkner, was captured at Waimana and brought back to Opotiki and then taken to New Plymouth and hanged Capture at Ruatoki. The facts arc that Kereopa was captured at Ruatoki up the Whakatane River, by swift-footed Te Whiu who was one of Colonel Porter's 25 scouts who were out after the Te Kooti raiders including Kereopa. After the Catch, tlicy took Kereopa up the Whakatane River, over the Iluia-rau range, across' Lake Waikaremoana and down to Wairoa. At Wairoa he was handed over to honorary Constable J. H. Smyth for transport to "Napier by sailing craft. The constable took 110 more chances, for he placed Kereopa seated against the mast and handcuffed him with his hands behind it. The writer's father was one of the men who helped to guard Wairoa against raiders of Te Kooti in those daj r s, and often related how they went down to the boat to see Kereopa off on his last trip to Napier where he was hanged. The executioner, Tom, Floyd, lived at Mohaka, near Wairoa until about- lid years ago. Memories of Te Whiu. I was well acquainted with many who took part in the Maori wars and often heard the circumstances of the war related first hand by the combatants. Many years afterwards, in 1901, I met Te Whiu, the capturer of Kereopa, in Waimana Gorge, when his horse had fallen with him and broken his leg. After rendering some assistance, I offered to take him to a doctor to have his leg set, but lie would not trust the white man and decided to doctor it in Maori fashion. Some years after, when I was taking a Maori poll up the river, Tc Whiu came in smiling to show me his leg, which was true and straight but a little short. At this date it seems very strange to look back at the time when the Maori was much surprised to see a white man eager to help a Maori and they remembered it long after. It is hoped that .this account will help and that more work will be done in recording the work of the hardy pioneers who were resnoiisible for the easy life we now enjoy. .