“EYEWATER'S” DEATH

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 138, 25 January 1939, Page 4

“EYEWATER'S” DEATH

EXECUTED AT NAPIER CAPTURED IN UREWERA ROPATA’S FINAL CAMPAIGN In an, obituary reference to Mr. George G. Beals, Auckland, whose death occurred recently, a, message published jn Tuesday’s issue referred to Mr. Beale having been present as a boy at the execution of the murderers of the Rev. C. S. Volkner, whose death at Oxiotiki was an early incident in the* Hauhau uprising in this part or the country, states the P.B. Herald. The reference tot the execution of Mr. .Volkner’s murderers at Auckland has prompted a Wairoa correspondent well versed in the history of the early days in Ne>v Zealand, to offer a correction.

“The murderers of the Rev. C. 8. Volkner were not executed at Mount Kden Gaol in IB6o—at least Kereopa was not.” this correspondent states. “This rebel was not captured until 1871, when he was taken in the Urower a, Country by the Ngatiporou. He was brought to Wairoa, andi shipped from a small private wharf near the Clyde Hotel. As he passed to the vessel between lines of Ngatiporou

fighters, lie spat contemptuously upon his captors. After trial at Napier, he paid the penalty on January 0, 1872.” Colonel porter’s Account. \ The Wairoa correspondent’s note, is in agreement with historical records available elsewhere. One report of the capture of Kereopa is furnished in the memoirs of Colonel Porter, who tpolc part with the Ngatiporou commander, Major Ropa.ta Wahawaha, in the winter campaign in the Urpwera Country which led to the submission pf the formerly defiant tribesmen from whom Te Kooti had received his principal support and succour. v Colonel Porter, recording the events at the close of the campaign, states that Major Ropata called a conference at Ruatahuna, after having traversed the TJrewera Country and snhduedi all opposition there. He proposed that the TJrewera- natives should deliver up all outlaws, and henceforth keep- the peace, the alternative being a permanent occupation of their lands. He hade hi.s followers erect a fortification otn the spot to demonstrate his proposition more clearly, and largely as a result of* this demonstration. he carried his point. The Crewera natives offered guides to search for outlaws then known to he in hiding, and Te Kooti having slipped through the. cordon andi taken refuge in the King Country, attention was concentrated upon Kereopa. one of twoi natives whl> had brought the Hauhau faith to the Hast Coast from Taranaki, and a ringleader in the nnir-

cler of Mr. Volkner. Taken by Surprise. Kereopa had been at liberty since the Opotiki crime, which took place in 1860, and his continued immunity had long been a* source of deep feeling on Ropata’s part. A warrior named To Whin (The Whip) was detailed by the Urewera chiefs to lead a party in search of Kereopa, who was then in the head of the Whakatane River Valley, and the swift movement •of this party caught the long-wanted rebel by surprise. Found sitting in front of a wliare, hot tried to slip into the Inish, but was- tackled by the swift-moving Te Whin, and captured umvounded. After being secured, Kereopa gave himself up to his fate, which lie well knew would follow. He told his captors that he had had a presentiment of death sin eel t-lie. murder of Mr. Volkner, as in the act which gained for him the name “Jfiye-Jfiater” he had suffered! a partial strangulation when swallowing one' of his victim’s eyes. A sidelight upon the psychology of the Mfiori is given by Colonel Porter 111 reference to a razor which Kereopa had in his possession when captured. When others wished to deprive the rebel of his razor, Major Ropata ordered them to leave it with him, as itmight affect Kereopa’s spirits to lose his blade. His knowledge of his own people told Ropata-/ that if the rebel became unduly sad, he would not be ecjual to the difficult march through the forest to Wairoa. “Keep up Tns spirits and his feet will he light,” Ropata said. Suicide Attempt Frustrated. The razor, incidentally, figured in an effort at suicide on the part of Kereopa at Napier. Handed over to the. constabulary, he was being taken to gaol, when 110 drew the blade and slashed his throat, though not deeply enough to effect his purpose. Recovering, he was tried for murder, and executed at Napier. A further interesting fact in connection with the capture and execution of Kereopa. is that Colonel Porter was entrusted with Tlie distribution of £IOOO which had been offered as a reward for the murderer’s capture. He took delivery of the money at Napier, and journeyed back to Ruataliuna, where he divided it pro rata among the force there. Even Te W T hiu, who from being a potential enemy had become a servant of the Government In the search for outlaws, claimed his share and was paid.