MR RUSDEN AND THE NATIVE MINISTER.

Kumara Times, Issue 2109, 2 June 1883, Page 2

MR RUSDEN AND THE NATIVE MINISTER.

In complaining at New Plymouth of the terms which Mr Rusden had applied to him in his “ History of New Zealand,” Mr Bryce stated that he had not seen the book, and as it has not been generally circulated in New Zealand, we may quote the passage in which the present Native Minister is referred to : The literary cravers for blood were soon to be gratified on the West and East Coasts by events of which some were uot officially reported, nor told in Mr Gudgeon’s “Reminiscences of War.” Lieutenant Bryce, who was in after years a Native Minister, distinguished himself. Some women and young children emerged from a pah to hunt pigs. Lieutenant Bryce and Sergeant Maxwell, of the Kai Iwi Cavalry, dashed upon them, cutting them down gleefully and with ease. The exploit will be looked for in vain in Mr Gudgeon’s book, which records a rash and unfortunate affair in which subsequently (December 28th), Sergeant Maxwell, riding up to Titokowaru’s pah, Tauran-ga-ika, was shot. But the treatment of the children was not unknown. Dr. Featherstone, the Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, expressed his horror; Rangihiwinui declared that he would not have joined the local forces if he had thought them capable of such acts. He earned thereby the hatred of Bryce, who, long afterwards, when Native Minister, dismissed Rangihiwinui from office. Bryce earned among the Maoris a title which will cling to him. They call him kohuru (the murderer). It is understood Mr Bryce will shortly proceed home with the view of commencing an action for libel against Mr Rusden.