Maori Warfare.

Manawatu Herald, 2 November 1897, Page 2

Maori Warfare.

♦ Colonel Mr Donnell in a recent lecture mentioned the following curious instance of the Maori indifference to tbe soldiers. This was in the year 1845 and after a battle had taken place at Mahoatahi, where the Maoris were defeated. Mpst of the pahs in the neighbourhood were eventually reduced, except Hiurangi, rendered memorable by the celebrated " Prate's Sap." This work was carried on by day under shelter of a huge roller; but when the sappers retired at night, the Maoris- would come down and fill in the excavation. I When the troops required fascines for the work, the services of the friendly natives were requested in cutting manuka. But here the religious scruples of the natives formed an obstacle. " Thou shalt not steal 1" was their answer. The land on which the manuka grew was in possession of the enemy ; therefore the manuka was theirs. The price of their labour was raised in the hope of overcoming their scruples and a solution of the difficulty appeared foribwith ; the enemy would cut the manuka, and sell it to them. The proposnl was made, tbe enemy agreed ; ihey cut the manuka, and delivered it according to the terms of the contract. The friendly natives divided their pay with tbem, the troops got their fascines, and the work proceeded apace. When it was complied, and everything, aff er gnat labour, ready for the final as? aulr, the enemy walked out of the o her side of the pah and built a new one on a. neighbouring hill.