Overlooked Page in New Zealand History

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 382, 16 June 1928, Page 27

Overlooked Page in New Zealand History

The Sacking of Kororareka ... Forgot - ten Narrative of Edward Meurant, the Huguenot . . . Tamati Waka Nene

(Written lor THE SUN by ERIC RAMSDEN.)

“rj'HUS ended the tragedy in the final destruction o£ this ill-fated place, leaving about 400 inhabitants in a complete state of destitution.” A few loose sheets of manuscript, written over 80 years ago, tattered, and the ink almost obliterated in places, records a phase of New Zealand history—the sacking of Karorareka, the sensation of the day in our early period of settlement. The narrative of Eudward Meurant, in the possession of Leslie Kelly, his greatgrandson, necessarily commences without introduction, and ends abruptly. Several of the pages of this hitherto unpublished account of the incident at the Bay of Islands are lost. Edward Meurant also accompanied the investigating party that visited the South Island after the so-called “massacre” at Wairau. A vivid impression of New Zealand’s first capital, following Heke’s third successful onslaught against the flagpole, is given by Meurant, who alluded to “a mountain of beds, and mattresses, collected from the different homes.” In one direction he saw a party of Maoris laden with boxes of clothes which they were removing to a convenient distance in order to return for another supply. Some disputed as to who had the most right to the goods. “Another party got into a merchant’s house that contained an immense quantity of shoes. In their anxiety to carry off as many as possible they flung them on their back in such numbers that, as they ran along the beach, the shoes kept dropping behind them. Many of them were picked up by the white people . . . who considered a good exchange was no robbery.” Many of the Maoris were laden with bags of flour, he writes, weighing at least 2001 b. But they skipped along, “like a fox with a goose.” One pillager, not content with taking flour from the baker’s shop, and finding that he had more than he could carry, determined to enlist the services of the robbed man’s horse! “The Maori placed a bag on the animal’s back, mounted on the top of it, and endeavoured to urge the beast forward. But as he moved, the bag slipped, and down came both bag and rider. The horse did not seem at all disposed to carry the burden, but contrived to shake it off as often as it was put on.

**. . . On entering our own dwelling we found it strewn with articles they did not consider worth while taking. . . . We again sallied forth into the street, where we found them (the Maoris) still busy at their work of plunder. We were recommended to take our departure to the ship as Kawiti was about to enter the town with a strong party. As he had lost one son and a near relative in the engagement it was likely he might wreck his vengeance on any stragglers he might find. “We, therefore, made the best of our way on board, leaving the robbers to finish their work of plunder. After which they set fire to the town, which continued burning during this and the two following days . . . when we left on Thursday there w T as nothing to be seen of the remains of Karorareka but the smoke-burnt chimneys standing amidst the ruins, with the exception of the churches, the houses of the clergy, and a few others that stood contiguous.” The refugees were drafted on four vessels—the Hazard (sloop of war), the Government brig, an English whaler, and an American man-o-war. They were conveyed to Auckland, where they arrived the following Sunday. Meurant, who married Raiha Kenehura, a Waikato chieftainess of the Ngati-Mahuta, leaves on record in these papers tribute to Tamati Waka Nene. the distinguished Maori ally of the British: “He is considered one of the most skilful warriors in the country, cool and consistent in all his movements, with the courage of a lion, and an inflexabilitv of purpose rarely surpassed.” He goes as far as to say if it had not been for Tamati we would have been forced to abandon the country. “This, therefore, is the man whose name deserves to be handed down as the most worthy and influential coadjutor we have met with among the ‘aboriginal’ tribes.” Kawiti, the ally of Heke, Meurant characterised as “this predatory old monster,” and refers to his “jealous spirit.” Of Pomare, “the most powerful chief at the Bay,” who was subsequently seized and sent as a prisoner to Auckland, he comments upon the “arch villainy of this traitor, who put a few months before had declared to

the Governor (Captain Hobson) his determination to act strictly neutral.” On the other hand, he found much to admire in Hone Heke, lauding his military skill and comparing it with that of an experienced general. Meurant was an equally candid critic of the British, and ridiculed the attempts of Colonel Hume and his 300 men from Sydney who engaged in the first British systematic campaign in New Zealand. Their lack of knowledge of local conditions and the country, and their under-estimation of the fighting prowess and capabilities of their Maori foes, is freely commented upon. The Colonel, fresh from Sydney, he remarks, thought he could subdue them in a few hours! Of Huguenot stock, and born in England, Edward Meurant arrived in New Zealand in 1822, at the age of 19.

Later we hear of him surveying the west coast between Manukau and Kawhia. In 1842, he accompanied Governor Shortland on the brig Victoria from Auckland to Wellington. They remained in Wellington while the vessel proceeded to Wairau with stores for the ill-fated Wakefield surveying party. On arrival there news was received of the “massacre.” Meurant went across at the request of Magistrate Macdonald and recovered several of the bodies. In a diary in the Old Colonists’ Museum in Auckland he mentions finding the bodies in the scrub. In 1846, he was in Russell, acting as interpreter to Captain Graham, of the Castor. “. . . My work was to assist in getting Tamati Waka Nene and the rebel chiefs, Kawiti, Hone Heke and others to meet and make peace.” Meurant also mentions riding through Epsom with a major and arresting two deserters from a British regiment. He died in Auckland in 1848. For some years prior to that he was a familiar figure around the courts in his capacity as Maori interpreter. Leslie Kelly, his great grandson, can trace his descent from the ventursome warriors who paddled the Tainui in the memorable voyage from far distant Hawaiiki, and from that band of French Protestants who, rather than suffer injustice at the hands of an intolerant King, left their beloved France in the 17th century to shelter on the foreign soil of alien, though hospitable, England.