BATTLE OF GATE PA

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 190, 28 August 1937, Page 15

BATTLE OF GATE PA

Epic Story of Heroism and Chivalry Of all the battles in which the Maori challenged the right ef Europeans to lnvade the lands of the natives of New Zealand, none is marked by greater Courage and chivalry than the faajoUs encounter at Gate Pa. This was oue of the epic fights of New Zealand. Yet to-day many New Zealanders have only . knowledge ef this battle in which the Maorls set. an example of lieroism that should inspire New Zealanders for centuries. For this reason the publication of the story of Gate Pa by Mr. W. H, Gifford, of Tauranga, will serve a vflluable puipose. Mr. Gifford has gathered together in oue hook the account of the engagement written by Captain Gilbert Mai* and the story as told by the Chief Hori Ngatai, in addition to other relevant. matter concerning the most notable event in the eafly days of the Bay of Pienty. Oue of the most interesting platies in Tauranga to-day is the cemetery on the waterfront, where are buried many of those Who fell in the fighting between Maori and pakeha. In 1864 the East Coflst rebels were sending war partles and food and ammnnition through Tauranga to their friends at war with the whitee in the Waikato, so troops were landed at Tauranga and tlie Durham and Mon- , mouth redoubts bnilt. The latter can be seen to-day, on the Tauranga waterfront. The Maoris retired inland and built a strong pa at Waoku and expected the British to attack them. When nothing happened they aaie in closer and built another primitive fortress at the placo that beeame known as Gate Pa. Lt.-General Cameron about this time arrived at Tauranga with strong 1 einf'orcemcnts and i'oUr men-of-war anchored in the bay. Shortly afterwards an advarKe was made against Gate Pa. Despite a heavy artillery bombardment the Maorls wero undauhted, and Avhen the British Storming partios charged into the pa they CncoUnterOd grimly determined tattooed W&rriors Who revelled in the hand-to*hand fighting. The attack broke down and the triumphant Maoris later left the pa under cover of darkness. This briefiy is the story of the great fight at Gate Pa. In the book published by Mr. Gifford will be found the vivid first-hand accounts of Captain Mair and Hori Ngatai. It is a book that should be in every school and will be read with interest by many who today are awakening to the dramutic and historical value of the StOries of early New Zealand.