POVERTY BAY (N.Z) MASSACRE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 56, 26 October 1878, Page 4

POVERTY BAY (N.Z) MASSACRE.

Zealand’s wooded hills, they show »the distance like a cloud •tunny times, when lightnings flash Vud thunders peal aloud; :t rn plains too extend as far A» e'er the eye can see, With here anil there a c lump of bush, Ur single cabbage tree. * And through vast tracts of this bright laud. There scarce a bird is found T - disturb the silent solitude That reigns supremo around; Aud yet, down in this Southern clime, W here my story's thread I tak««, Tin-re roams u savage hostile baud, Around the Tuupu Lake. Who move about, and where e’er they go, They quickly raise alarms That cause the settlers, panic struck, To gather under arms. chieftain’s deeds and massacres

U- '.mwiHiu r> auu Have got for him a name, That will cause man’s blood to boil to hear, Now Zealand to blush with shame, To think a few wild savages With blood’would so have laved Tho hearths o’er which for many years, Tho British flag has waved ; Or that flap which has so proudly waved For centuries we know, .Should in her pride ho trampled on By such a trifling foe. But now I’m wandering from the path. In which I wish to lead Those who in a leisure hour Those few lines may road. Vv e have all hoard of that noted rascal For his name spread far and near, To Knto, and his followers, At the beginning of their career ; How in the lovely summer time, When everything was gay, He like a deadly scorching blight Came into Poverty Bay. And within a few short hours, The deed that there was done. Will most prominently show in history. If New Zealand o’er lias one, How one early morn, with savage jov, Before the break of day, Ho upon his slumbering victims stole, And killed them where they lav. Some dreaming perhaps of happy homos, On some far off distant shore. And in their dreams were wandering Its sunny paths once more. Others' think, perhaps, of the dear one That by their side does lie, But never for one moment dream That they must e’er sunrise die. They know not of the frightful storm That from its chains is all hut loose, Nor see tho cowardly wretches That are burning down their house. The flames in thickening volumes rise. And by its ghastly glare The Maories see each objf ct That comes in (he open air. Tho inmates: slumber still, Unconscious of their fate, Until amid tho scorching flames, In terror they awake, Then with piercing cries they outward rush. Oh heavens I what a shock, There stand some savage wretches "W ilh uplifted tomahawk. Their eyes upward turn in urayer, So fervent yet so wild. Asking pardon for tin* pas: And safety for their child, Who in its mother’s arms. By a smiling face doth show, The feelings of a tender heart That no danger yet does know. But they scarce have had a moment To call on Him who said, When in danger put your trust in mo And I will be your aid, When, like a savage beast That springs upon its prey, The Maories on their victims rush, And in a brutal way, That would have chilled the hloodjof any But one so much defiled As lie who from its mothers arms Tears tho infant child. Ho pauses but a moment, then, Oh, heavens! with innocent blood he’s stained, For on tho trestle of tho door The infant he has brained; While others with savage yells, Their spears of native make, Rush furiously on And they most cruelly stake A lady who would sooner In death’s cold wedlock lie. By him who in the hour of peril ‘Hastily bid her flee. But no, she would rather, In death’s dark mantle sleep. Than live perhaps for many yours To mourn and to weep, For him whom she loved Tho best beneath the sky. But behold how mournfully They on tho sward now lie; Their faces pale, their eyelids closed, And yet a sweet smile played Upon the countenance of those Who are numbered with tho dead. For on that night, Soventy-throo souls in all Were hurried to eternity By that treacherous chiQl’tain’s call. j. r. n.