THE STANDARD. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1872. IN MEMORIAM.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 6, 9 November 1872, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1872. IN MEMORIAM.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

The anniversary which we are about to commemorate, brings with it an opportunity for reflection on the mutations, and varying vicissitudes of mundane affairs. While our friends at Hawke’s Bay are keeping high holiday, and rejoicing in the liberty and freedom, which they have successfully struggled for ; we are wearing “ our hearts in grief,” as the revolving panorama of events brings to our minds’ eye the remembrance of a ghastly holocaust of human lives, which, but for the memory of those who are still dear to us, we would willingly forget. While our neighbours raise on high the banners and devices of a joyous celebration; we lift the veil from the tombs of departed worth. While they dance cheerily under the spreading oak, with hearts elate, as they think of the years that are gone, undarkened by a cloud—unsullied by one token of regret; we mourn beneath the cypress with a solemn sorrow, that can find no balm, as we gaze into the dark vista of a gloomy past, which has had but few rays of sunshine. They celebrate their anniversary, accompanied by sounds of joy and mirthful music ; we our vigils keep with bated breath, and a sad knowledge that the coming morrow will rewrite on our hearts a dark chapter of horrors which we cannot —must not, try to escape the contemplation of.

Before the sun rises to-morrow morning on our now peaceful homes, the finger of time will have passed the exact hour when, just four years since, Te Kooti with his murderous band swept with the suddenness of a destroying devil down upon our plains, bringing destruction and death in his train. On that night there fell thirty men, women and children, who could ill be spared; most of them being, in the words of an esteemed correspondent, “as regards “ education, position, and sterling worth “as settlers,far above what one generally “ meets with in most districts in New “ Zealand.”

I’ AV e all remember the 12th of Decem'l ber following, and the celebrated “ NgaI tapa” expedition, at which Colonel Whit- | more did not distinguish himself. The I sacrifices added to the shrine of a bleedI ing country on that day were four, I making a total of 34 victims, exclusive of some 30 loyal Natives and others who were butchered according to the will of this prowling monster Te Kooti. It is not our intention to dwell upon the scenes of carnage which marked the troublesome months of 1868-9. Ours is rather the pleasant task of endeavoring to extract germs of hope from the kernels of past misfortunes. Sorrow is I only a chrysalis. Did we not blind ourj selves With idle complainings, we might see that the changes that we are ever undergoing are for our improvement; and if not too proud, or rebellious, would acknowledge them as being good. It will be remembered that shortly after these dire calamities a subscription list was set afoot throughout the Colony; and, although the amount of each subscription was limited to half-a-crown, we cannot say it has been so great a success as the purpose warranted. The object was to raise a sum sufficient to erect a monument, and otherwise to denote the resting place of the friends we had lost. The list at present amounts to £129 ; and the way that sum has been expended can be seen on a visit to the Cemetery where a very handsome monolithic stone, 16 feet high, has just been placed by Mr. Buchanan of Auckland. It is carefully enclosed by a neat-look-ing chain fence, and altogether does credit to all concerned. Its cost is I £155 155., leaving a debt balance of I £26 15s. against subscriptions. The freight amounted to £l4, which Captain Read handsomely and generously gave up to the gentlemen in charge of the undertaking, while J. W. Johnson, Esq., paid the remaining balance of £l2 15s. There is still, however, a further sum of £l2 due for the passage of Mr. Buchanan, who seems to have shown great care and attention in coming down here to superintend the work in person. While upon this question we cannot allow the opportunity to pass without referring to the disinterested generosity of a gentleman in our midst, who has undertaken to have the burial portion of the Reserve surveyed and pegged out into plots; and -we are authorized to state that the monies belonging to the Monument Fund have not been trenched upon in any way, in the performance of this Christian gratuity. The work has proved very expensive, more so than I should be allowed to rest upon individual philanthropy ; and we certainly think it to be the duty of the Government to defray the cost until such times as our supine church people choose to take the matter in hand. The reserve should j be consecrated without delay, and vested in trustees who could exercise some control over it.

We should mention that great regret has been occasioned by the - name of “ Charles Rathbone” having been omitted from inscription on the tablets of the monument with his co-martyrs, but this will be rectified at the first eligible opportunity. It was also our intention to have given the inscriptions in full in this article, but can’t find space. We are, however, having a very faithful sketch by Mr. R. M. Sheet, photographed, which will, we doubt not, prove an acceptable memento to all.