REMINISCENCES OF THE SIXTIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 14 September 1907, Page 4

REMINISCENCES OF THE SIXTIES.

PAGES OF OLD HISTORY. INCIDENTS OF Tilt: TARANAKI WARS. Writes "fifty One" in the Stratford Post: 1 was only a boy when the war broke out, but old enough to note what was taking place; and although what I am about to relate may not appear in the exact order in which the events occurred, the references will be thoroughly understood by tho-=-> who, like myself, were watching, as also by those who were actively engaged in tile strife.

Notwithstanding 'that the first engagement was expected to take place j at Wailara, which had been strongly [garrisoned, Oinata (where all the settlers had not yet left their homes) was selected by tiie Maoris lo commentoperations, and the killing of the boys I'ote and Parker, and later on the same day several settlers at the Waireka Hill are events that caused consternation not only in Taranaki, but all over the colony. The day following, the great battle of Waireka was fought, in which every available young man and old was pressed into the service, besides military, and towards the end of Ihe day a company of bluejackets, which latter addition to the force was a most fortunate thing for the civilians, for they were short of ammunition, exhausted, and surrounded by the enemy. The town of New Plymouth has never since presented such a seen • of excitement and anxiety as it did on (lie night of this battle.' Humors of volunteers and militia being surrounded and cut to pieces were constantly coming in, and as detachments of troops returned to town, mothers were frantically rushing about and enquiring, "Have you seen my boys?" It would occupy too much space, to go into detail, but r might say that at the battle of Waireka the late Mr William Bayly received a bullet wound which affected him till the day of his death; the bullet was never extracted, the science of those days not being equal to the present. Messrs Joseph Ilawkcn, Rawson, Paul Inch, and others were also wounded. The death roll was very small—indeed, lean only call to mind a sergeant of the Oath. From this on to sixty-two there was nothing but excitement. Troops coming and going night and day, big guns being transported lo various outposts, drawn by teams of bullocks, which cut up the (hen unmetallcd roads until at times it was almost impossible for a team to pull an empty dray. New Plymouth was garrisoned all round—Fort Murray, Fort Niger, Fori Stap, Carrington Road Blockhouse, etc., besides other minor posts. Every evening the bugle would sound the "fall in," when those who had been told off for (■he night picket would have to answer tlidr names under a severe penalty. The Battle of Malioelahi (near Sentry Hill) was another in which the flower of Taranaki took part, and at which two lads—Brown (brother of Mr Henry Brown! and Sarten (a brother of the one referred to in the obituary notice) wore shot. Pukelakucre. and ihe L Pa engagements at Waitara were perhaps the most, disastrous during the war as regards casualties on the British side. In connection with Pukelakucre, it will be remembered that reinforcements of Imperial troops were to be sent from New Plymouth the day of th" attack. They never reached Waitara. The reason assigned was tliat (he Mangoraka river was "in flood."

Tn these times it was not safe to go singly or in small parties far from the town, as was evidenced when Northcote and Sarten were ambuscaded at Ilenui; but settlers were shot down much nearer than this. 11. C'rnn was ambushed and tomahawked on the racecourse, and others were fired at (some wounded) even closer still. New Plymouth was entr-'iiched, and special orders were issued that everyone, except those on duly, was to be inside the trenches before dark. To give an idea of the circumscribed area, considered safe, it is only necessary to state that the trenches were thrown up along Taardet street (opposite the Wesleyan Church) on the one side, and clos- to I lie Post Ollice on the other.

f might mention several others who were killed during Hie war, through being -vrnturrsomo ailTf going" to their farms and elsewhere alone. One of tin; most prominent of these was Mr Richard Brown, without doubt the most popular merchant anil gentleman in Taranaki. He had no fear, and would ride to and from Waitara at all tiroes; but the end came. Then there was John Hiiwken. Patterson (killed near what was afterwards known as Dingle's Blockhouse), and Coad (ambiisended and tomahawked on the Ileum beach,whilst about to visit a wreck Hint was garrisoned). There are a number of others, whose names at present csciipe my memory.

After many battles soul severe losse; on both sides, a truce was effected some time in sixty-two. ft was thought by' a few that the end of th-> war had come: but others were dubious, and refused to accept advice to go back on their farms. That this was wise was proved by what is known as ihe "Wairau Massacre," which took place i>i ixtv-threo near the VYairau stream on he'llaknra beach. 1 have a vivid ('collection of this occurrence. All esort of the 57th Re s iment left Tataraiuaka for town (the district was still ;arrisoned); included m the parly were )r. Hope, Lieutenant Trngelt, Sergeant lill. and several privates. An ambush ia.l been laid on the bank close to the tream crossing, and the first voll-y n-.mi.Hil down nil but a private named icily, who, being swift of foot, and all tie Maori pins being empty, raced folds life up the bear'h towards Oakura. le hail a hard struggle for it. but ventually got clear of the pursuing ne. and r.ached Oakura in a very cx.austed condition, where he related ,-hal had taken place. An orderly was mniedinlely despatched to town with he news, 'but prior to his arrival the i.irse ridden by Dr. Hope (a line ironrivy) galloped through the town rideress, in a perfect foam. 1 can sec the lorse now in inv mind, after a ten-mile allop, making up Brougham street hill owards the Marskuul Hill barracks, vliere the poor lwtist had lwen in th( labit of being stabled. This ocenrrenci tailed what is termed the second war

and scenes were enacted of an eve more terrible character than before th

At the commencement of the war the. Maori had a superstitious respect for a minister of the gospel, a church, and even a foreigner. This was exemplified ul Omnia, where Hie l?cv. 11. If. Urown was lapu, as was also a Portuguese named -Mr Manuel Dc Castro. All churches were saeted, and were not burned as was tic case with settlers'

homes, lint tin's respect wore off later mi. as Ihe killing of the Hev. Mr \olkner at Ojiotiki, ami the Eev. Wliitcley al I'likeanihc proved. I'.ut ( have a few more word* to say ulioiit tlr Wairau tragedy. A short time lifter the oceurrenee a scout parly of tlie 57th miller Lieutenant Waller | were out anil at a spot known as Lie. 'l'lirec Honeysuckles, surprised some natives, one of whom they captured, and nil 111 111 was found Dr. Hope's wateli. The killing having taken place during n truce constituted murder, and Honthat was the prisoner's name—was arraigned nnil tried before Judge Avney in the old Masonic Hotel In'! and senIneed to death. Xccdle, s ' say the sentence was not curried 'H.o effect llori was eventually libera! 1- ami .l""<cd the police force, and a pnwerlnl and 1,1 formidable wicldci' of a baton he mad '. Not to eueroaeli too much on your s|>ace I will onlv briefly refer to other events that oeeuvred. There was tlie .-tunning of Johnnie's Flui- prin-ipnlly I'mni the sea by men-of-war. I met a Maori some years ago who was 111 the rille-pits at the time. One of his arms looked just like skin and bone, and 011 being asked how it happened, he stated that the shell was rolling into the pi! lie was in, and keeping Ins head wel down he pushed the shell away with hi: arm. Whilst doing this it exploded taking most of the ilesli oil' his arm. Al the Maoris did during the war whei wounded was to clap 011 a daub of mm over a bull-l hole, etc., and all wa relit—no fear of blood-poisoning 1 llio-e days.

The lakiii" of Kaitake and the terrible after-results at Aim Aim are events that will he fresh still in the. memories of all. This appears to have been the ,'ii'st occasion on which disemboweling and decapitation were resorted to. Captain Lloyd's head was carried around ilie countrv by the llauhaus for a long time after'the event. Hentrv Hilt (coming back Wailara way) was the scene of one of the biggest surprises the Maoris ever had, and the results had a great deal to do with breaking Hie backbone, of the war. Led away by the counsels of their tohungas, the Maoris sallied forth from Mataitawa to surprise (.lie force stationed at Sentry Hill. Ibi'orlunatcly for them their intention had been made known, and Major Under, of the 57th, was quite prepared. The Maoris, numbering over fifty, came, straight oil to tlto fort, ami

I were in the act of performing a wardance, when the contents of a. big gun (with grape ami cannisler) was discharged right into their midst at very close quarters, ami 1. think forty were accounted for, (he rest making the best of their way back from whence they came. A bugler named Harry, so elated at the, success of the shot, jumped on the parapet lo sound a note of triumph, and was wounded. This was the only British casualty. Amongst the Maoris killed were some of the most notorious liej'ting chiefs—including Manahi Pir- ;»,!■. (or ■•Ciiciiinlier") Kingi. The latter was somewhat of a peculiarity. lie had reddish hair, which was cropped clo-o. wilh lli" exception of a tuft in front, which was usuallv lied and decorated with feathers.

Kollow : iig close on this event was the taking of (he .Maori strongholds at Mmutahi. Matnkawa, and Mataitawa. As I said before, the Kcntrv Hill affair had a tendency through the killing ol the noted lighting chiefs of breaking the backbone of the second war, and the great activity of Nos. 1 and 2 companies of Bushrangers, who were always nt spots least expected by the natives, drove them into the interior.

Settlers had gone back on their farms, and everything looked peaceful until the Pukearuhe murder took place, when that good old missionary (the P.ev. John Whitcley), Lieutenant (lascoyue and his wife and children, Richards and Milne were ruthlessly cut, down—not by the Taranaki Maoris, but l\y a marauding party from the Kin,Country. This again threw the whu'c district into disorder. Nothing furthe:, however, eventuated on the old fighting grounds.

I'licn came Te Kooli and the. Poverty Bay massacre, followed by Titokowaru's disastrous war at the southern end of (he Taranaki province—Hawera and Pa tea being the chief centres of the strife. Here the gallant Von Tempskv, Boss, and a host of other geod men lost their lives in an attempt to upkoid the Queen's authority. I may be wrong, but T still hold, the opinion tint Titoko want's war was a blot on the names of those in authority. The two previous wars, under military control, were badly enough managed; but the lat.-r one was still worse.

_ There is nearly always mi amusiii,; side to every serious incident, and Nee? Plymouth during the, early days of the war afforded a number of off-sets to the grave events that were being enacted all round. The boom of the big gun from Marsland Hill would set all the women and children agog; and if the summons—"the Maoris are coining to town"—were given at the deal of night, families would put in an armeavnnce at the barracks in all sorts of costumes, some without any at all. I know of a_ case in which a father was cutting his hopeful's hair with a pair of shears when the warning gun boomed. So excited did the tonsorial operator become that he took a neat piece off the boy's ear. New Plymouth had a "Punch" of its own too, and a most creditable production it was. I think so exasperated did some of the British military commanders over the caricatures and criticisms, thai an enleavov was made to suppress its publication. In those exciting days yon had to bo very careful how you winked the other eye. It was a time of martial law, and strict, obedience to the fads of military martinets was absolutely necessary to prevent imprisonment. Oui.d-room" was the term (hen. You always knew when a mm had had an interview with the military court. Hair was worn long in those days, but when a guard-room man reappeared his head was almost as bare as a billiard bull. Mind von, I have nothing to say against the' bravery of the Imperial troops. The commanders were tied up hard and fast with red I ape, and before they could do anything Exeter Hall or some other place had to be appealed 10. The fact of the matter is they did not understand Ihe Maori tactics, and red tape would not allow them lo learn; hence the failure

miller British rule to terminate the wnr. So soon as men like the lat.' Sir Harry Atkinson ,111(1 others hud full control matters cruickly settled down.

HAVELOCK'S FIRST BATTLE FOR THE RELIEF OF LUCKNOW.

Half a century h;wl passed on July 12 since Oencral Ilavelock fought his first battle in tin l attempt to relieve U\eknow. lie had effected a successful junction with the advanced detachment under Major Holland, and, wearied by a long march, the whole force halted near Futtchpore; but the tents were scare dy pitched when Colonel Tytlm\ wlm had been reconnoitring with the Volunteer Cavalry (20 men), galloped up with the intelligence that the enemy were advancing. The rebels thought they had only Pommel's detachment before them, and, in the hope of another easy massacre, came on confidently, but soon discovered their mistake. They had three or four heavy guns, and the first shot they tired learlv put an end to Haveloek's career. I'he Ville fire of the general's force (they were armed with Kuiield rifles). i'ca<-liing tin* enemy "at an unexpected lislance, filled them with dismay; and when Captain Maude was enabled to push his guns through the Hanking swamps to point blank range, his surprisingly accurate fire demolished their little remaining confidence. In a moment Hire guns were abandoned to ilavcloek on the chaussee, and the force advanced steadily, driving the enemy before it at every point. Out of Hie enclosures anil into the streets, out of the latter into the open country beyond, they were driven with headlong llight, with' the greatest confusion, leaving 11 guns behind in the hands of the victorious British; but the excessive heat, and the exhauston of the previous marching, rendered pursuit impossible, and the Irregular Cavalry conducted themselves in so shameful a manner that two days after they were, disband-1 ed. Ilavcloek says: "1 enclose the list of casualties, the lightest. 1 suppose, that ever accompanied the announcement of such a success. Twelve British soldiers were struck down by the sun, and never rose again. Jiut our fight was fought neither with musket, nor Vayonet, nor sabre, but with Enfield rilies and cannon; so we took no men. The enemy's lire scarcely reached us. Ours, however, for four hours allowed him no repose." This was the first check the mutineers had received below I Delhi, and it produced a most salutary | impression.