STIRRING STORY RE-TOLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 128, 21 November 1911, Page 8

STIRRING STORY RE-TOLD.

RECOLLECTIONS OF WERAROA. Mr. Geo. Syme, who was an eye-wit-ness of, though not an actual participator in the fight at Weraroa, gives the Hawera Star a few particulars of his experiences. In pursuance of a proclamation by Colonel Ilaultain, Minister of Defence, blockhouses were being built in convenient places for the protection of settlers. Mr. Syme, with Mr. North, had contracted to build the blockhouse at Weraroa. The site overlooked a horseshoe-shaped gully, near which flowed the river Waitotara. It was an ideal spot for such a building, standing on high ground that sloped away in front.

When the Maoris opened fire at about 400 yards, Mr. Syme and Mr. XOIHI were working at the blockhouse, about fortyyards from the fort. They lost no time in getting to the fort, where they found the militia all crowding in. When inside the men replied vigorously to tke fire of the Maoris, who crept gradually up until they reached the blockhouse, behind which they took cover. They then commanded three sides of the fort. Despite this there were no casualties among the defenders. Captain Powell was officer in command of the militia, who had been sent up by the authorities in Waiiganui to defend the fort. After some hours of constant firing the Maoris withdrew. Shortly afterwards Captain Xcuiand. with an escort of troopers, arrived with orders from Colonel Whitmore to evacuate the fort. All supplies they could not carry the men were ordered to pile up inside. To these they set lire, and as they marched away the redoubt supplies inside went up in smoke. The little force sot oir for the main camp at Kai Iwi. Xot knowing whether the natives had withdrawn altogether or were lying in wait for them, they kept a keen look-out, and marched Warily. After proceeding some distance they came tr a point where the road, or "what wa called a road, cut through a ditch am bank fence. It was like a gateway. I looked a likely place for a surprise 'and certainly," as Mr. Syme remarkei with a glint of humor in his eye and ; smile of keen amusement at the recol lection, "we got a surprise, for thert lining both sides of the road, posted be hind the fence, were men of the AC.'? a strong force sent by the commandin] officer to attempt to draw the Maoris. The evacuation, apparently, was a fein with that obpet fh view! If so. how ever, it did not ichieve its purpose. Mr | Svme wr't remembers the fiery littl I Colonel Whitmore, whom he met ani who questioned him as they arrived a 1 the camp. Finding that one or two more men not connected with the militia, wishei to go into Wanganui that night. Mi Syme walked in with them. On tin way they met a carrier who ofTerei them a lift. They arrived at a settler'? house, and finding that in the house wen women and children, they strongly urged that it w;is not safe for them to stav They accordingly put on the waggon the children, who were asleep, being curried out on their stretchers. An infercslin" reminiscence that shows the fi,„. ,bimp of woman among the settlers of those

(lays was brought out in conversation with Mr. Svme. He recalled that one of those who went with him to WanSanm that night was Mrs. Hicks, mother of Mr. Robert and Mr. .John Hicks of this town. She .sat in front of the wajRon with a gun on her knee, ready for any happening. "She knew how to u=e it. too. and would have done >o. if ne, cssary." said Mr. Syme. Xothing further of nolo took place on the journey to town. The incident, though;, fortunately unattended with' (>,oor]>]ic{J. ifi of and valitc a* showing something of the trials and Chances of the life of the early set- 1 tiers, even when, as in the present' case, flicy wnv not. nchiiillv on s<>rvi<v> They were stirring times. They made fine men and women. One <-an easily reali-c the great fascination they mii>'t I have had for young men who or whose I parents had the spirit of adventure that led them to leave the settled Homeland and face the trial,- of life i„ i settled country. .