HISTORIC SIEGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 14

HISTORIC SIEGE

GOVERNOR-GENERAL UNVEILS MEMORIALS CEREMONIES AT PUKEKOHE

From Our Own Correspondent PUKEKOHE, Today. “To the glory of God and in memory of the settlers and others who defended this church during the attack by Maoris on September 14, 1863, I unveil this memorial.” In these words, the GovernonGeseral, Sir Charles Fergusson, unveilt. a tablet in the Pukekohe East Pmbj terian Church yesterday afternoon, in memory of the force of 26 men whici. defended the church against Maori warriors over a period of between six and seven hours. Later, his Excellency unveiled a stone marking the burial-ground of some half dozei natives who fell in the conflict. The Governor-General was accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson. Among those present were Captain Joseph Scott, of Epsom, and D. M. Skinner, of Palmerston North, the surviving members of the little banc. and Mr. J. X. Massey, M.P. There was an attendance of several hundreu from all parts of the district. Their Excellencies were welcomed by the Rev. J. Hubbard, the moderate: of the charge. The trials and tribulations of the early pioneers were referred to by the Rev. W, J. Comrie, of Wellington, a descendant of one of the garrison. They were men with faith in their God, he said. The first church ser vice in the district was held in a dwelling in 1557. and four years later a church built of rough slabs was erected. In 1863 the present church was erected, aud on the first Sunday in April of that year the sendee was held in the building. That was 66 years 8 months ago, or two-thirds of a century to the day. • The site was given by Mr. J. Deerness. In its early history Mr. J. Comrie was the first elder and Mr. G. Eason the treasurer Messrs. J. Scott and E. Roose founded the Anglican and Methodist Churches at Pukekohe subsequently. UNKNOWN DEFENDERS Of the band of defenders ten were settlers, whose names were known, but the identity of the other 16 wa; not known. None of the defender? was injured, but from official figure? it was ascertained three of the relieving force were killed, four severely wounded, and seven others wounded. The Maoris lost over 50 men. The engagement was the most severe and the last one on the northern side of the Waikato River. “The occasion would not be fitting without some memorial to the Maoris,” said Mr. Comrie. “The British forces and the Maoris both fough' for their rights and the defence of their homes.” Any bitterness that might have existed had disappeared lie added, and the two races had fought sid by side iu the Great War. “The history of the Maori War s the saddest of the country/’ sai( * Governor-General. “Two great race&, gallant, loving and trusted, were perhaps inevitably brought into cod tact through what was believed to be a misunderstanding. They spoke deferent languages, and did not kno* each others’ mptivegj. Unfortunately there was bloodshed, and it was no* known that it might have possibo been avoided. The Empire had betibuilt up on noble purposes, but was cemented in the blood of brave men The tablet in the church was tbcE unveiled by his Excellency. GOODWILL, NOT TRIUMPH “As we place a memorial over tb* Maoris’ graves it is not as a not* triumph, but of goodwill,” said 3* r - Comrie, in speaking at the scene o the last resting-place of the nab'* warriors. “We regard the Maoris winaffection and esteem today. Haermai, haeremai, haeremai; come to a? as your friends. We are livmg wid* you; we bear no enmity of the pa £t he addressed the natives present. « Prior to unveiling the stone and -~ r tablet, the Governor-General paid * tribute to the chivalry of the 3lao*i race, saying they had fought nOi>for what they regarded was their da ' to their country. At the close of the ceremony Excellency chatted with the two veterans and received from them * description of the engagement. The historic church, which bears the bullet-holes from tnjmemorable day, was the centre much interest. On the tablet in the church the following names of settlers wparticipated in the defence: James. Comrie. George James Eason. William Hodge. ander McDonald, James McDonaW. James McDonald, .inn.. Elijah James B. Itoose and Joseph Scot •