THE BATTLE OF WAIREKA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 231, 28 March 1912, Page 4

THE BATTLE OF WAIREKA

{ SOME INTERESTING REMINISCENCES. AN ECHO OF THE WAR. j (By Fifty-one.) | "Tataramack-hi-ho! Tataramack-hi-ho! Fall in! Answer your names! Form fours! Fort Murray! Fort Stapp! Carrington Road! Fort Niger! Boat Sheds!" Such a» introduction as this, I will admit, must appear strange to those who knew not Taranaki in the stirring times of strife between Maori and pakeha. But the majority of those who assemble in New Plymouth to-day to commemorate the fifty-second anniversary of the battle of Waireka will again fancy that they hear the bugle sound the assembly; they will see themselves hurrying to the place appointed to fallin, answer their names, form fours, and march off to their various posts to protect the town against surprise by the enemy. The 28th March, 1860, is a day to be remembered by those who lived at that periou, and were old enough to know what was going forward. The day before news had been brought to town of the massacre of several wellknown settlers at Waireka Hill, as well as the butchery of two little boys on their parents' farms at Omata', the scenes of both atrocities not being far from one another. Seeing that there were still a number of settlers and their families at Omata, who had been unable to leave their homes and get into the town of New Plymouth for safety, much anxiety was felt on their behalf, but whatever intervened (the Rev. H. H. Brown and a Portuguese isettler were tapu) no further lives were taken than those mentioned. Without goin* into detail, it was decided by the officer commanding the Taranaki district—Colonel Murray, of the 65th Regiment, I believe—to attack the Maoris at the Waireka pa the following day, at the same time affording the cut-off settlers a chance of getting out of the terrible fix that they were in. Martial law had been proclaimed, and, of course, all those between certain ages were compelled—not that it needed compulsion under the circumstances—to carry arms. Toun» lads and middle-aged men, volunteers and militia, were called upon to help the Imperials to attack the Maoris, a«d how nobly fathers and sons responded to that call is now history. The late Major, then Captain, Charles Brown, was in charge of the militia and volunteers, but realising that that gallant old veteran, Captain Stapp, had more experiI ence of warfare than he himself, he handed over the command to him. t was not a question of bravery, for it : was recognised that Major Brown was devoid of fear, but simply one of experience, as Colonel Stapp had earned his spurs in the Imperials before settlin" dw n ;„ private ]ife in Nfiw p lymont £ What a state New Plymouth was in that day! All sorts of rumours were coming to hand as the day drew to a close, not the least distressing of which was that the volunteers and militia, without ammunition, were surrounded by Maoris, and it was feared that they would all be cut to pieces. One can imagine the state of mothers and wives on hearing such intelligence, which fortunately turned out to be unfonnded. However, the Imperial troops were the first to reach town in detachments, and they were rushed by anxious women to learn news of their boys or husbands. Let mo not forgot to mention the gallant Jack Tars who took part in the engagement, and but for whom, it is believed, more lives would have been lost on that memorable day than was the ease. The losses were fortunately small. When the land forces were almost worn out with a hard day's fighting, a warship entered the roadstead, and thp commander immediately' sent a body of bluejackets to the scene 'of action. They were not long in making themselves felt, and very soon had possession of the pa. the Maoris getting clear away from the back.

Fifty-two years is a long time' to "loo* back, and there are comparatively few who took part in the battle of Waireka who will answer the earthly roll-call today, but the few, with their colours, have the best wishes of everybody that they may be spared to meet on many similar occasions. All honor to the brave men—lirprr::il and colonial—who fought our battles in the sixties. Before concluding, I should just like to remind the veterans of a few 0 f the bugle-calls that were so common in those days. Some wit was always to hand when a new call was introduced to find words to fit in. Thus the old militia, and volunteer assembly gained the name of "Tataramack-hi-ho," and the call used •to sound like that. Then there wag "Officers' wives for puddings and pies and soldiers' wives for skilly," "Pick-'em-up, pick-'em-up, hot potatoes," not forgetting those nightly sounds from Marsland Hill—the First Post, Last Post and Lights Out, and the early morning call—the reveille. There was another bugle-call that used to strike terror into the hearts of women and children at the dead of night. That was the "Alarm" Its effect was worse than a fire-bell as it meant "The Maoris are coming to town; women and children to barracks" These are things of the past, fortunately, but they have been stern realities Let it not be thought that the effects ot the war completely prostrated the people. There were times of lamentation when well-known and respected settlers were cut down—such as the Waireka victims Richard Brown, Willie King and others—but there were periods when the people laid themselves out for enjoyment. The funny man had his little joke and even the dogs used to cause hearty laughter by squatting on their haunches and howling when Billy Jones or Tom Collins essayed a bugle-call I recollect once seeing a patrol party of SQldiers trying to get an inebriate to barracks. He was very obstinate, and was giving all sorts of trouble, when who should happen along but Mr E Armitage, a great warror who has passed over to the other side. He took in the situation at a glance. "Turn him belly downwards," he remarked, and' the frog's march" had the desired effect J.he man soon called out for mercy and promised to go along quietly, which he did. Even the veterans themselves became skittish occasionally. They will recollect the occasion when they went on strike because of some nonsensical Imperial order that they refused toi obey. Iney had the time of their lives at Fort Murray where they were supposed to be confined, The following is ft list of dates of the principal incidents connected with ISmJKto disturbanees d »™g the decade March 18 1300-Capture of Maori pa at Waitara. ► . . March 27, iß6o—Massacre of Messrs S. Ford, Shaw, and Passmoro at Waireka Hill, and the two lads (Pote and Parker) in the neighbourhood. June 27, 1860-Engagement at Puke, takaure pa, Waitara. November 6, 1860-Batfle of Mahoetahi. December 31, 1860-Matarikoriko pa. January 23, 1861-Determined attack by Maoris on Huirangi redoubt, occupled by Imperial troops. May 21, 1861—Truce agreed to. J 4 ' of -Lieut. Fragett, Dr. Hope, and five soldiers of the s(th Regiment at the Wairau stream, Oakura beach; commencement of the second war. June 4, 1863-Defeat of natives at Katikara by force under General Uameron. April 30, 1864-Famous defeat of the natives at Sentry Hill. September 2. 1865-Proclamation of peace issued by Governor Sir George Grey; announcing that the war was at an end. July 12, 1868-Night attack by natives on redoubt at Turuturu, Mokai, when Sub-Inspector Ross and seven others were killed. August 21, 1868-Attack on Ngutu-o-te-Manu by force under LieutenantColonel McDonnell; defeat of natives; four Europeans killed and eight wounded. September 7. 1868-Disastrous engagement in the bush at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, when the gallant Von Tempsky, Captains Buck and Palmer Lieutenants Hunter and Hastings! and fourteen others were killed, besides a number being wounded February 13, 1869-Murder of the Rev John Whitely and seven other Europeans at the White Cliffs. February 24, 1870-Last detachment of Imperial troops left New Zealand. Several minor engagements, such as the taking of Kaitake, I do not know the dates of, nor do I know the exact date of the disaster which befel the troops at Aim Aim, when Captain Lloyd and several brave soldiers Were shot down and shockingly mutilated. The events mentioned, however, will further refresh the memories of the veterans. TARANAKI VETERANS. TO-DAY'S FESTIVITIES. This morning veterans of the Waireka and other Taranaki engagements will hold tiieir annual. shooting match at the Waiwakaiho butts. Liberal prizes have been donated by townspeople, and given fine weather a pleasant hour or ai'WJ! 6 spent the oM warriors. At 0.15 the veterans will fall ia at Ambury'B corner and march to the Brougham Street hall, where they will be the guests of the younger men of the town, who have set themselves the task—from all appearances a particularly congenial one—of giving the veterans a thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment. Dinner will be put on by Mr. Wooller at 6.30, after which a toast-list will be gone through, interspersed by musical items. Mr. W. Perry will have charge of the musical arrangements. . At. 9 o'clock, or a little later, an adjournment, will be made to the Empire Theatre, the management of which have arranged to submit a special programme in honour of the veterans, including a view of the Balaclava heroes. No less than ninety veterans have accepted invitations to'be present. Invitations were extended to His Excellency the Governor (Patron of His Majesty's Veterans' Association), General Godley,and the Premier-elect, but unfortunately none of them will be able to attend. In apologising for his inability to be present, the Hon. T. Mackenzie (who, it will be remembered, was at last year'* veterans' gathering), states, inter alia? "Nothing would have given me greater pleasure than to have availed myself of the privilege of assisting in honoring our veterans, for in < honoring them w* do honor to 'ourselves. Unfortunately, however, I am quite unable, owing: to pressure of public business, to leave Wellington at the present juncture. I trust vou will have a most successful and happy gathering." The dinner and subsequent proceedings will be of a free-and-easy character, starch and stiffness and dress suits being barred!