A Tribute.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8198, 26 May 1906, Page 3

A Tribute.

At the sitting of the Te Aute Commission on Monday, the Chairman, after Mr Cuieman ht*d finished his evidence in ciicf, naked that gentleman if be would line to add anything further to his re. matks. Mr Coleman paid the following high tribute to Archdeacon Williams, incidentally giving a chapter of interest ing early history :—" I would like to say a few words with regttrd bo the attitude of Archdeacon Williams, then the Rev. Samuel Williams, at the time of the Maori troubles, not that his statement requires corroboration, but because I wish to bear testimony to what he did. 'He came down hero in hot haste, and informed Sir Donald McLean that the natives were going to make a combined attack on Napier, those at Omaranui waiting only for another lot to come down the Petane river. He had the greatest difficulty in making Sir Donaid McLean believe him, as the latter thought he knew more about the native mind than did the Reverend Sam —I must call him that, because so he was known to us in those old days. It was not till late in the evening that Sir Donald was persuaded and called out the militia, the regular foroes being on the hills, The lace Sir George WMtmore was then commandant. We were called out in a hurry, and at midnight we left to march out to Omaranui to surround the pa. A messenger was sent in commanding the Maoris to give up their arms and surrender. They asked for an hour, and at the end of that time a messenger was again sent. Thej? then replied that they would not surrender, but would fight, and, * coming out, they performed a war dance. I had nothing but a sword bayonet; I was only an up-country cavalry man, but happened to be present. A gun could not be got for love or money. Mr (afterwards Sir Donald) McLean found me a horse, and asked me to accompany him that day. What I did say was tliat Colonel (afterwards Sir George) Whitmore, who was in command, seeing I had no arms and could not procure any, said, ' Come with me as aide-de-camp, for I know you have a good horse, and you can carry any orders I may want to send.' This I did as the fight developed. Very few people realises the danger Napier was in at that time. The socalled friendly natives were really Hauhaus at heart, and as we stood 200 yards up the hill, the bullets supposed to be intended for the enemy on that flat whistled over our heads. It was evident the ' friendlies ' had no intention of killing their own people, and if • there had been the slightest delay those natives would have joined .the Hauhaus, to the annihilation of the militia and the people of Napier. That was wbat would have occurred had it not been for this man sitting before you." ■ Here Mr Coleman laid his hand on Archdeacon Williams' shoulder. '' That is my excuso for inflicting this speech upon you."