THE MOUTOA MONUMENT.

Evening Post, Issue 279, 30 December 1865, Page 2

THE MOUTOA MONUMENT.

This monument which now graces the Market-place at Wanganui, was foi mally uncovered by his Honor the Superintendent yesterday afternoon. It has been erected by the Province of Wellington, at a cost of between £600 and £800, in commemoration of a victory obtained by several hundred friendly natives over a band of Ilau Ilaus at Moutoa, after an engagement in which a number of the former as well as the latter were slain. The monument has already been described in the Chronicle ; it is therefore sufficient to repeat that [ although somewhat diminutive in size, it is otherwise a perfectly finished work of art. The base is of polished Victorian stone, closely resembling granite, the pedestal and sculptured figure of Grief surmounting it are of white marble. The work was executed by Huxley and Parker, Melbourne. A low iron railing, formed by arrows neatly crossed, encloses the whole. On one side of pedestal is the following inscription :—": — " Kua Whakaarahia tenei toma c te parawine o Weretana hei Wha- | kamaharatanga mo nga toa tana i Kinga ki Moutoa i te 14 o Nga ra o mci 1864, i te awhinatanga i te noho-pai c akina c nga ritenga kino o namata c te whakaponoporangi." The opposite side has a free translation of the above. Thus: — "To the memory of those brave men, who fell at Moutoa, 14th May, 1864, in defence of law and order, against fanaticism and barbarism, this monument is erected by the Province of Wellington." The third side contains the names of the friendlies who fell in the fight. The remaining side contains the brief but important statement — " 4th September, 1865. Isaac Earl Featherston, Superintendent." The weather was fine yesterday ; the heat of the sun being tempered by a gentle breeze ; and a large concourse of holidayseekers, including, of course, many of our dusky allies, assembled in the MarketJ place to witness the proceedings. Before the ceremony took place, the Native Contingent treated the spectators to a wardance. About half-past three o'clock his Honor

came upon the ground, accompanied by D. S. Durie, Esq., R. M., and W. L. Builer, Esq., Native Magistrate, and having ascended a temporary platform erected beside the monument, he gave a short address, which, we regret to say, was very imperfectly heard even by those near him. We could only catch a stray sentence, but the gist of the subject was obvious. We understood his Honor to say that there were no surer means of promoting and perpetuating a spirit of nationality and patriotism than by publicly acknowledging the value of great services rendered to one's country, and by handing down to posterity the names of those who had distinguished themselves in the cause of order and liberty. And this course was proper and becoming, not only or so much with the object of paying a tribute of gratitude to heroes and statesmen, although that was most commendable, as of exciting other men to follow their example, and thus to foster a spirit of generous emulation and national glory. Hence it was that the account of distinguished achievements occupied a prominent place in the historical records of all great nations, and the memory of them had always been fondly cherished by a grateful people. It was to this twofold desire also that they owed the highest triumphs of genius in the arts of painting and sculpture. Men dissatisfied with the mere historical record of great deeds sought to perpetuate them on the glowing canvas and in the durable marble. It was in accordance with this feeling that the Moutoa monument had been erectedHe was convinced it would be an incentive to their native allies to stand fast in the cause of law and order. Everyone understood the feeling that was excited among British soldiers by the presentation of the Victoria Cross. When that distinguished honour was conferred on any one of their number, there was not a man in all the ranks but felt fired with the ambition to strive after a similar glorious distinctionIn the same way he felt convinced that their native allies, looking upon this monument, before accompanying General Chute on his expedition, would not rest satisfied until the foul murders of Kereti and others were duly punished. At the conclusoin of the speech, the Superintendent drew aside the covering which had hitherto concealed the sculpture of the monument, and the whole stood revealed to view. Mrs. Colonel Logan then gracefully unfurled the flag. Three cheers were given, and this part of the programme terminated. It is a native monument to commemorate native prowess, yet curiously enough no native took part in the ceremony, and the Superintendent's speech could have been no more than dura show to the Maoris. — Wanganui Chronicle 27th. | =