STIRRING TIMES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1623, 12 October 1916, Page 4

STIRRING TIMES.

STB AM E R STOP MBI RD’S CAREER. EXPERIENCES DURING MAORI WAR. Short “obituary” notices of the recently wrecked Stonnhird have already been published, hut they conveyed only a faint idea of the stirring times through which the vessel passed during her adventurous career. In view of the fact, the following article which happened in a contemporary some years ago, is of interest :

It was the Stonnhird which, in November, 18(15, took a Government contingent under Colonel McDonnell, after fighting the Hauhans in the Bay of Plenty district, hack from Opotiki to Wanganui in order that they might, join the force under General Chute, in the coming campaign on the West Coast. A curious incident illustrative of Maori'fanaticism and superstition occurred while the contingent was hoarding the steamer. The force was partly pakeha and partly Maori; the Natives were “Kupapas,” or friendlies, of the Wanganui tribe. Colonel McDonnell issued orders to the men to prepare for embarkation, but told them not to attempt to cross the Opotiki bar in canoes. This prohibition did not suit the Wanganui warriors, for they had taken a lot of loot from the captured Hauhau villages, and it was not likely that there would be room for it in the ship’s bonis. So they disobeyed McDonnell. They obtained two canoes, and in these a number of the Kaupapas, with a large (plantity of loo), attempted to cross the bar. As McDonnell had forseen, the dugouts capsized, and the Maoris lost everything except themselves. They were all picked up hut one. That urn was Pilau, a Maori prophet. Pilau, says Colonel Gudgeon, who tells the story, had unfortunately prophesied his own death. This was ihe voice of the atua, the Maori oracle, that spoke through his lips when the campaign began: “Yon will be successful in all things, 0 Wanganui. Only one man will dies and that will be Patna.” This deliverance of the alna was decidedly rough on Pilau. At the Kiorekino tight near Opotiki, a short time previously, he had sought death, but not a bullet or tomahawk touched him. His reputation was at stake. He must retrieve it ere Wanganui left (he waters of Opotiki. The canoe capsize was a chance not to ho lost. Better death than disgrace and loss of maim as a prophet. So out of pure bedevilment and cantankeronsness Pitau the tohunga threw up his arms and went to the bottom. Farewell Pilau. You were (rue to vonr faith —such as it

WUS. A MAOIIL MUTINY. The Stormbird steamed off for Wellington iind Wanganui will) the contingent. All went well until Wellington w;)s veil filed. While* lyingin the harbour someone persuaded the unite to show the dark warriors (he use of the ship’s gun, a small cannon. He loaded the gun and put a red hot iron to the touch hole, hut as it did not go off ai once, he went to the muzzle, with some of the Maoris, to find ojit the reason. Of course, the charge must go and explode as they got there, with the result that the foolhardy mate and a couple of inquisitive Maoris were severely wounded, and had to he taken ashore.

This was a terrible aitua (evil omen of misfortune) in Maori eyes, and boded ill for (he coming campaign. Nothing could pul things right hut a couple of day’s spell (and spree) ip Wellington. But Colonel McDonnell came on hoard with orders to start at once for Wanganui. The captain prepared to put to sea. Orders wore given to weigh anchor, and the officers went to their tea in the little cabin. ■

“Suddenly,” says Colonel Gudgeon, “there was an awful hubbub. All ran on deck and found that some of the contingent had taken possession of the capstan, declaring that (he skmmer should not go. Their ring leaders were dancing the war dance and bhindishing their guns in a manner truly terrific jo those who did not know them. A few moments changed the face of affairs. Lieulenapt Wija'hapa seized the chief man and lifted him, despije his struggle's, over the bulwarks, with the intention of throwing him overboard, and was only prevented by the united strength of a dozen of (he man’s relations. Finally the ringleaders were tied hand and foot, iind peace restored, but on arrival ill Wanganui the whole thing broke out again, and it was then found that General Mete Kingi was the instigator of this row, as he had been of all others throughout the campaign.”

CENTRE OF HAUHAU PLOT. Later on, in 1808, the ffeulnin Maoris imprisoned on the Chatham Islands planned to seize the Stormbird op one of her visits to the Chnthnm Islands with stores for the military station there. The steamer was expected from Wellington, and

Te Kooti and his 200 followers had concocted a, plot to take possession of her when she dropped anchor, and escape to New Zealand. But in place of the Stormbird the threemasted schooner Rifleman arrived :1 1 hyrekami, as the Mauris call the Chathanis, laden wifli Qoyernment stores, and, as all students of New Zealand history know, she was seized, and Te Kooti and his people returned to New Zealand, forcing the mate to navigate the vessel and land them at Wharaongaouga, a short distance south of Gisborne.

Soon thereafter occurred the Poverty Bay massacre. Captain Christian, who was then master of the Rifleman, and who was left on shore at the Chathams when the .Maoris stole his ship, is still alive and hearty, and following the sea. He is the master of the collier Ngatoro, engaged in the West Coast trade.