For Ever and Ever.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 86, 2 April 1914, Page 5

For Ever and Ever.

THE ORAKAU MEMORIAL, 1 THE UNVEILING CEREMONY* [Pee Press Association.] Hamilton, April 1. Fifty years ago to-day a fierce fight was proceeding at Orakau, some 23 miles from Hamilton, where the defence put up by the Maoris was equal to anything in the history of the world. To perpetuate the memory of the heroes of the fight, the Government has erected a monument on the site of the pa, and this was unveiled to-day by the Minister for Defence, in the presence of several thousand Europeans and natives. General Godley and his staff, the Hon. W. H. Herries, the Hon. Dr. Pomare, Bishop Averill, five members of Parliament, two members of the Upper House, and a large number of veterans from all parts of the Dominion, under Colonel [Morrow (commander), were also present.

The speeches dealt chiefiy with the bravery of the native defenders and the gallantry of. the British troops, I who set such a noble example to present and future generations. A touchling and pleasing feature waa when jHari Wahanui, on behalf of the native [race, presented the Hon. Jas. Allen, for the Government, with a sword, 'some old muzzle-loaders-, and a tattered standard hearing the title of the “Taranaki Military Settlers’ No. B Company, Clifton Institute,” which was seized during the fight. These, he [said, he returned as a token of for ever cementing the bonds of peace beI tween the two races.

The Battld of Orakau was foughfcon March 31, April 1 and 2, 1864, and is said to bear the same relation to the Maori race as did the classic Thermophylae to the ancient Greeks, and the pages of modern history contain nothing more heroic or worthier of remembrance. The battle saw the termination of the war in the "Waikato. The natives were surprised and completely surrounded by 1600 troop®, armed with the latest weapons, and were outnumbered by six to one. The natives possessed obsolete fowling and flint pieces, and were inadequately supplied with ammunition, so that they had to load their guns with peach stones, plugs of wood, and to break iron pots for use as bullets. They were without water, and had only raw potatoes to assuage hunger and thirst. They kept at bay six times their number for two nights and three days, inflicting heavy loss on the British forces.

When General Cameron arrived on the afternoon of the third day, he was so impressed at the heroic defence that he immediately instructed Major Mair to get into communication with the garrison and if possible induce them to surrender, and so save the lives of many brave men. Major Mair stood up at the head of the sap, and called out: “The general is filled with "admiration for your bravery, but you are surrounded and cannot escape. Therefore he urges you to surrender, that your lives may be spared.” All was quiet for a few minutes while the matter was discussed. Then one of the natives rose out of the trenches, and hurled back the famous reply: “Ehoa, ko to tikanga tenei ka whawhai tonu ki akoe. Ake, ake, ake!” (Friend, the understanding is that we will fight you for over, and ever, and ever!”) Major Mair then spoke: “That is welT for the men, but let the women and children come out. Why should they die too?” Someone asked: “How do you know there are women and children?” Major Mair replied: “Last night I heard them crying over the dead.” - Then a very tall woman stood up on the edge of the ditch and answer- ■ ed: “If the men are to die, the women and children will die with the men.”

The troops cheered when the de-

cision was known, and the-fight became fiercer than ever. Late in the afternoon of the third day, the remaining garrison formed up, placing the women and children in the centre, and broke through the flimsy defence, cut their way through a cordon of Forts regiment, and entered a huge swamp, where they were quickly decimated by a tremendous cross-fire from all sides, while the Forest Rangers and mounted men endeavored to cut

off their retreat. Even then they, turned upon the pursuers, and, not til] nearly 200 had fallen, did the remainder make their escape across the Pumn River into the King Country. General Cameron, in a despatch after the battle, wrote: “It is impossible not to admire the heroic courage and devotion of the natives in defending themselves so long against over- [ whelming numbers. Surrounded on all sides, cut off from their supply of water, deprived of all hope of succour, they resolutely held their ground for nearly three days, and did not abandon their position until the sap had reached the' ditch of the last entrenchment. They had probably not less than 150 killed out of a garrison not exceeding 300.'”