MAORI WAR INCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 56, 30 November 1920, Page 7

MAORI WAR INCIDENTS

Sir,—Tho following historical details fiovo 1 been transmitted to mo by Captain Gilbert Mair, N.Z.C., of Ohinemutu, Rotorua, and have rafereuoo to the interesting obituary notice of his old friend, tho late Colonel T. W. Porter, C.8., that appeared in your issue, of November 13. Captain Mair directs my attention to two errors embodied in Hint account, the first of which is that Colonel Porter and his Ngati-porou braves did not capturo tho pa at Maunga Pohatu containing 80 rebel Natives, but that it was taken by Captain G. H, Preece, N.Z.C. and himself, with detachments of Nos. I and II of tho Arawa Flying Column, on or about Juno 12 or 14, 1871. Colonel Porter's force had essayed to attack the place somo time previously, but found it too strong and, ■after losing one man, retired. Captain Preece and Gilbert Mail', with about SO men each, had marched up to the Hautorrent from Waikaxemoana Lake 'through deep snow, then over tho 60uth end of tho peat Maunga Pohatu range, then descending over 2000 feet into the upper range of tho Waimana River, whefu they surrounded tha Kakari pa, almost without being observed, at dawn, but tho notorious murderer ftorcopa te Rau (the eye-eater) had managed to oscape, to b* captured later on by Colonel Porter ar.d Major Ropata Wahawnha, N.Z.C. The second mistake is that the lost ehot in the Maori War was fired by Colonel Porter at To Hapau, whereas that distinction belongs to Captain Mair*fl very gallant old comrado, Cnplnin O. 0. Preece. the affair taking place at T'e Oncpu, iuTtuid of Wairnu, H. 8., on February 13. 1872 —1 am, eto., H. F. November 11, 1920.