Orakau Memorial

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 April 1914, Page 5

Orakau Memorial

THE UNVEILING CEREMONY. HISTORY OF THE HEROIC ENGAGEMENT. A TARANAKI BATTLE-FLAG IN EVIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Hamilton, Last Night. Fifty years ago to-day a fierce fitrht was proceeding at Orakau, some 25 miles from Hamilton, where the defence put up by the Maoris was equal to anything in the history of the world. To perpetuate the memory of the heroes of the fight, the Government 'has erected a monument on the site of the pa, and this was unveiled to-day by the Minister for Defence, in the "resence of seve-

ral thousand Europeans and natives. General Godlcy and his staff, the Hon. W. H. Herries, the Hon. Dr. Pomare, Bishop Averill, five members of Parliament, two members of the Upper House, and a large number of veterans from all parts of the Dominion, under Colonel Morrow (commander), were also present. The speeches dealt chieflv with the bravery of the native defenders and the gallantry of the British troop 3, who set such a noble example to present and future generations. A touching and pleasing feature was when Hari Walianui, 011 behalf of the native race, presented the Hon. Jas. Allen, for the Government, with a sword, some old muzzleloaders, and a tattered standard hearing the title of the ."Taranaki Military Settlers' No. C Company, Clifton Institute," which was seized during the fight. These, lie said, he returned as a token of for ever cementing the bonds of peace between the two races.

The Battle of Orakau was fought on Marcli 31, April 1 and 2, 1804, and is said to bear the same relation to tihc Maori race as did the classic Thcrinophylae to the ancient Greeks, and the pages of modern history contain nothing more heroic or worthier of remembrance. The battle saw the termination of the war in the Waikato. The natives were surprised and completely surrounded by 1000 tro#ps, armed with the latest weapons, and were outnumbered by six to one. The natives possessed obsolete fowling and flint pieces, and were inadequately supplied with ammunition, so that they had to load their guns with peach stones, plugs of wood, and to break iron pots for use as bullets. They were without water, and had onlv raw potatoes to assuage hunger and thirst. They kept at bay six times their number lor two nights and three daj'S, inflicting heavy loss on the British forces.

When General Cameron arrived on the afternoon of the third day, he was so impressed at tlio heroic defence that he immediately instructed Major Mair to get into communication with the garrison and if passible induce them to surrender, and so save the lives of many brave men. Major Mair stood up at the head of the sap, and called out: "The general is filled with admiration for your bravery, but vou are surrounded and cannot escape. Therefore, he urges you to surrender, that your lives may be spared."

rtll was quiet for a few minuses while le matter was discussed. Then one of

the natives rose out of the trenches, and hurled back the famous reply: *"Ehoa, ko tc tikanga tenci ka whawhai tonu ki akoe. Ake, ake, alee!" ("Friend, the understanding is that we will fieht you for ever, and ever, and ever!"). Major Mair then spoke: "That is well for the men, but let the women and children come out. Why should they die too?"

Someone asked: "llow do you know there are women and children 1"

■Major Mair replied: "Last sight I heard tlieni erving over the dead."

Then a very tall woman stood up on ;he edge of the ditch and answered: "If he men are to die, the women and ehilli'en will die with the men."

Tlie troops cheered when the decision was known, and the fight bee-ame fiercer than ever. Late in the afternoon of the third day, the remaining garrison formed up, placing the women and children in the centre, and broke through the flimsy defence, cut their way throu"h a cordon of Forts regiment, and entered a huge swamp, where they were quickly decimated hv a tremendous cross-fire from ail fides, while the Forest Rangers and mounted men endeavored to cut off their retreat. Even then they turned upon their pursuers, and, not till nearly 2fto had fallen, did the remainedr make their escape across the Punui River into the King Country.

Oener.nl Cameron, in a. desnatch after the battle, wrote: "It is impossible not to admire the heroic eournire and devotion of the native in defendint? themselves so long against overwhelming numbers. Surrounded on all sides, cut oil' from their supply of water, deprived of all hope of succour, the" resolutely

held their ground for nearly three days, and did not abandon their position until the sai> had reached the ditch of the last entrenchment. The? had probablv not less than l.jO killed out of a garrison not exceeding 300."