WHO PREVENTED WAR

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 July 1912, Page 3

WHO PREVENTED WAR

NORTH OF AUCKLAND WHEN THE RURANGI MURDER WAS

COMMITTED.

(Contributed by an old Settler.)

The Ngatewhatua Maorie3 were always known as brave Warries, and we may thank the Chiefs of this Tribe j for preventing war at the time of the Eaurangi murder, which took place when the Maori War south of Auckland was at its heihgt. It wae suppose ed that Eurangi mnrdered Mrs Thompson and her daughter for their money, and he thought at the time that he would be quite safe, as there were large numbers of escaped Maori pris - oneis in the North who were trying to get the loyal Maoris to rise against the Government. I might mention that this young Cheif Eurangi was of very high rank, h^ was to succeed the leading chief Te Otene Kikokiko and we may thank this Chief and his wife Matthew and the following Chiefs for preventing a rising North of Auckland, Para one Ngawike. Tamate Kewete, Matine, Ereatare, Apihai Te Wharepouri, Te Kceae Tangaroa, Hcri Te More, Paora Tuhaire, Pairama Ngutahe, Wiremu, Tepene, Paiker Te Heknnr, Arama Karaka Ha tutu, Hemara Taueir, Patoromu Te Akariri. Manukau, Apahai, Tekawau, Wirimu Eeweti, Eewiti Tamahiki, Te Here Te Kawi, Pakahi Taraia Those were the chiefs which told Mr John McLeod and Mr Isaac McLeod and their families not to leave Helensville and they would see that no harm came to any of the settlers in the Kaipaxa. Te Otene Kikokiko as head Chief saw that no trouble took place. He told che Hon, Sir William Fox that he would call his Maoris to meet the Police at Helensville and if Miss Thompson a daughter of. the woman who was murdered, c(?uld pick the murderer he would hand him over to the Police. lI remember what a fine looking lot of Maoris they were ; upwards of 600 all sitting in rows two or three deep. Miss Thompson took, Eaora Tuhaire's arm passed up between the row of Maoris, when half way she saw the man and the chiefs roue and ordered him to come out saying that he had disgraced their tribe ; they handed him over to the police. He was taken to Auckland and stood his trial and was committed and hanged. Thus ended one of the most critical times for the North, The Ngatiwhatua Tribe have alwfu^ mourned this tragedy. But now they can boast that there has never been a crime committed by this tribe since the Eurangi murder. I might also mention that the Helensville Maoris made a present of a block of larjd on which the Court House, "Ptf'ice station, and the Schools now stand, and it is a very .valuable block of land to-day, -j. .