RE-VISITING WAIREKA.—AFTER FORTY YEARS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 78, 30 March 1900, Page 2

RE-VISITING WAIREKA.—AFTER FORTY YEARS.

Co inaugurate a picnic or the ground vhere the battle of Waireka was ought, in the hope that flue weather vould smile on the event, was a bold itroke, and worthy of the brave veteuns who were anxious once more to father on the scene of their former ixploits. Fortune favours tho brave, o, while heavy showers were prevailing ill around, there was nothing but ;lorious sunshine on the battle-field of 'ore. It was certainly an inspiriting ight to see the veterans going to the ield and eagerly discussing the various ncidents of the memorable day. True, heir memories did not coincide, but orty years is a long distance back, and vear and turmoil of active business life lad effaced in many instances the exact >ositions occupied by the different letachments. Moreover, the face of he country was greatly changed. In ieu of the flax-covered ground, there vere fine open paddocks, though here nd there in the gullies a few flax rashes were to be seen as a reminder if bygone days, The first party started rom town about midday, shortly after . heavy fall of rain had tak«n place md a promise of more to come lingerng in the air. Fortunately, however. ibe worst was over so far as weathei vas concerned, and the later parties vent off under most favourable circumitances. There was some dis'ance tt -ravel on foot ere the destination wai •eacbed ; the negotiation of the gullies md the final climb to the plateai severely tried, but did not dismay ;hose who four decades back mountec ;he same t-lopes with courageous hearti md murderous thought intent. Arrived at the rendezvous, the fire business to refresh the inner man tt was a needful ordeal to go through mi one that without which the subae luent proceedings would have lost mud jf their interest, for though men ma] be able to fight fasting they canno anjoy recounting their victories whil Feeling that vacuum which Natur doth abhor. Besides, the programm included a display of post prandia oratorical fireworks. Oonsequentlj after the pangs of hunger were appeased Oolonel Stapp, whom every ore re joiced to see present, proposed th health cf "The Queen." Needless to say it was heartily responded to, thre< immense cheers given, and a verse o the National Anthem lustily sung. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. E Dockrill) next proposed " The Veteran of Waireka," coupling with tho toas the name of Colonel Stapp. In i speech which was pronounced to be on of the best of the many good speeche His Worship has lately made on mili tary and patriotic matters, the Mayo gracefully alluded to the services of th Veterans on the occasion, and men tioned that in keeping the anniversar the spirit shown was not that of gloat ing over a victory, but it was with th object of reminding the present am future generations that if necessitarose they should emulate the deeds o their forefathers, and that so long a this martial fire burnt in Britisl nrwists the Empire would be safe al over the world. He concluded b .;alliDg for three hearty cheers for th Veterauß-r-tho brave men of Wairek;

GVoael Stapp, in reply, expressed i he great pleasure he had io being pre•ent, and pad a tribute of praise to the uso'ul s-ivioss of Lieutenant Blake, who prevented the Maoris from K e't,iuy ••«-lii.-id the Volunteers, and thu.-. iv(i-«l what would hava boon a disaster, II ■ could not forget that 150 men imiG kom towr, mi attacked the

Maoris in their stronghold, and that though many of those men fired a rifle againßt a foe for the first time that day, they acted with the greatest bravery. Captain Mace propossd the toast of " Captain Cracroft and his gallant men," and in so doing said that the captain came up with thirty men, and, although ordered three times by Colonel Murray to retire, refused to do so. His persistence fortunately drewofi the Maoris, and thus helped the Volunteers out of an awkward predicament, and helped to turn the tide against the enemy. The toast was, at Captain Mace's request, honoured in silenca. Captain F. L. Webster then announced that he had that day received an enlarged photograph of Oap'iin Cracroft, of H.M.S. Niger, which had been presented by Mr. Charles Hooker, the enlargement being made by Mr. W. A. Collis. He had been requested to have it placed in some public place, and suggested that it should bo hung in the Drill Hall.

Colonel Stapp then proposed " The British forces in South Africa, more especially the New Zealand Contingents," remarking that he was sure all the veterans would foel especial pride in the way in which the contingents had distinguished themselves, especially as most of them, like the men at Waireka, were under fire for the first time t

Three hearty cheers were given. After thanking " the ladies" and the Press, the company dispersed to view the various spots of interest or enjoy themselves each after their own fashion. Those, however, who were interested in the special business of the occasion naturally took the opportunity of going over the field of battle. One could not help feeling the appropriateness of the spot for an engagement. It is an ideal battle ground, and the only wonder is that the loss of life was so small considering the enormous advantages it gave to the enemy. The first business which occupied the attention of the veterans and visitors was locating the landmarks as they existed on the eventful day. This might seem to be an easy matter, but memory plays fanciful tricks sometimes, hence no wonder that argument waxed warm and strong according to the suppleness of backbone or otherwise of the disputants—yet all was in a friendly spirit. Fortunately, Mr. Jury was on the ground and pointed out the position of the house and its surroundings, so that a good starting point was assured, the only difference of opinion being as to where certain staoks stood, but even this was adjusted satisfactorily. Then one by one the positions of thf different detachments taking part in the engagement were located as well at that of the enemy. In this matter both Mr. Gordon and Mr. W. H. Skinner were of great assistance. Each of these gentlemen had excellent plans of the routes taken and the positions occupied by friends and foes, Mr Gordon's plan being taken from that in Mr. Grayling's book. The main object in view on the occasion seems to have been the rescue by the Volunteers and Militia of the hostages held by the latives in the house of the Rev. H. H. irown, at some distance in the rear of he Waireka ground. The Volunteers irho started from town proceeded by he shore side of Paritutu, along tho >each, turning inland by the \Vairekn tream, thenci to Jury' 3 house (where ho woundid were place!) on tin ilatmii, and hew a barricada w;>>-rompe'-y exbtimpoiiAed. Colonel Muray brought his m< u from tho B'ocklouse by w.y of the South Iload ami 4cKellar's r-jad towards tho bach, aking up a pa-ition on the end of . pur, whore 11 im'k-t tube was brcjugli: uto action, while a di tachment of hi* aen made a detour inland tonard.Vaireka, causiog the natives to re trait, lajor Atkinson took up an imp n taut. osition at the edge cf the plateau verlooking the soa and prevented the laoris from getting behind the Vjluueers. Osp'ain Uracrcf*, with a coraiany of blufjackets from the Niger, ame from town guidad by O.iptain lace, and reached the Maori pah, where , flag was flying. The gallant officer ffered .£lO to any man who would apture the flag, and arush ensued, th« lag being bravely taken and many latives put hora de combat. This wai he turning point of the en ;agement. Mention should no >e omitted of the daring dis >layed by the enemy. On the bead >elow, to the west, is a curious stoni tanding on a conglomerate base, anc laving a profile bearing some resemb ance to a human face. Sphinx-like i tands out as if looking seaward, and U his stone is attributed the name of tb( listrict O.nata, or, as it has been con itrued, "Oh 1 thy face." Such might lave been the exclamation of the firsl lative to land there, and hence th< lame. A f all events, by this stone or iVaireka day was posted a native wit! t " Brown Bes«," and, until he was put mt of action, managed to be verj troublesome. Another memory was ecalled, and that was of a native troling a wheelbarrow and taking pot hots and then rising his barrow as a belter. But against this there is rewunted tho story of one of the Voluneers firing twenty shots into a flax msh and killing a man at every shot, There were evidently men who could Iraw a good " bead " in those days, or ilse their imagination led them astray. k. visit to the beach well repays the rouble, for apart from the interesting 1 Omata " stone there is a most marvelous hollow in a conglomerate spur, hrough which a splendid view of Pariutu is obtained, while above and be■ond that the fleecy white clouds make , most picturesque background. The unorama is one that is unique in the listrict, and yet seemed to come as a lovelty to many present who had spent heir lives in the neighbourhood. After limbing up the steep slope it was very )leasant to find afternoon tea in readiless, and as every one was in the best if spirits the social meal went ifl most succesaf ully, Too much praise annot be given to those ladies who :arried out the catering. At length, he Town Baud, which, under Mr. Garry's direction, had been, greatly adding to the pleasure of the outing, played " God Save the Queen," and this was the signal for a homeward turn, From first to last the outing was a most enjoyable one, an I it must have been ve y gratifying tu the committee j to fiud that their efforts had mot with such signal success. The 40 th tuiuiveisary of Wwji'eka, will be

long remembered by all present, and/ we heartily congratulate the on the large number present, and the success of the commemoration. Amongst those who attended-were a large number of ladies, the Mayor, Mr. Hy. Brown, Colonel Stapp, Captains McKellar, Webster and Jonas, Sergts. Free, McKellar, and Crozier, Privates C. and S. Allen, Armitage, Andrews, W. Bayly, ; Berridge, Carrick, G. N. Curtis, Haigh, Hoby, J. 0. Honeyfield, J. Jury, ICingdon, Langdon, Lander, Loveridge, Marshall, McGuinness,W.and J. Newland, Mace, Oliver, A., W. H., and J. Pearn, Antonio Rodriques (wearing his N.Z. Cross), T. Shaw, Tatton, Tunnicliffe, T. Veale, Joe Ward, W. D. Webster, Tatton, senr., 0. Bullot, J. j Kenyon, Joe Corhey, K. Hall, J. R. Lawson, T. Langman, and many others. The display of medals glittering in the sunshine was very effective. Lastly, great pleasure was expressed at the presence of Captain Okey and Lieut. Cock, who were in uniform and wore their medals. The return journey was very enjoyable, the last party reaching town shortly before 7 p.m.