THE MAORI WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 14 December 1914, Page 3

THE MAORI WAR.

REMINISCENCES OF THE 'SIXTIES. On February 13th, 1861, the editor of Taranaki Punch, under the head of "A New Idea," gives the General Commanding the district an idea how to obtain *, knowledge of the whereabouts of the rebel Maoris, and it is somewhat remarkable that a similar method to that in vogue to-day in connection with the European war was suggested—that is aloft in a balloon, spying out the enemy, who is seen dancing in the distance. But for fear of accidents, a line is attached to the balloon, which is held by a staff officer in one of the many stockades, so Punch gets off his little joke at the, expense of the General, who was credited with the desire to keep as far away from the enemy as possible In my last short article dealing with Taranaki Punch, the tactics of the Maoris at the L Pah in 1860 were compared with German methods of to-day; and a year later Puneli advises the uso of balloons for reconnoitring; so it must be admitted that this province could boast of some farseeing men nearly sixty years ago. Another matter that comes under Punch's satirical pen is the famous sap. The idea of the military commander in Taranaki was to dig a deep trench from Waitara to somewhere about Huirangi, and into tin's trench were placed supplejacks closely laced together in the shape of large barrels without ends. It was intended that this sap, or tunnel, when completed, should be used by the troops; hut so far as I know the idea was so ridiculed by the newspapers [of the day (including Punch) and the civilians, that the military authorities, after spending an enormous, sum on the construction of several miles of this I unique method of approaching a Maori stronghold, eventually abandoned it, The rebel Maoris themselves viewed the undertaking as a huge joke, and they enjoyed the fun accordingly. That they can appreciate and make the most of anything that approaches the ridiculous is well known to those who are familiar with the Maori character. The sap was only one of the many blunders committed by the early military commanders, who failed lamentably to realise that the Maoris were watching every movement of our forces, and if they thought we were afraid (or averse) to attacking them, then they became decidedly adventurous, and, levied toll with the tomahawk on all and sundry who wandered. outside the then circumscribed area of safety. It is generally believed that had the battle of Waireka been vigorously followed up, the southern Maoris, at least, would have been completely demoralised, and this would have had a salutary effect upon Wircmu Kingi and his followers in the Waitara district. Had such men as General Comeron been in command at the outset of'the war, it would have been brought to a close much sooner than it was. In the end it was left to the colonial forces, and Major Atkinson and his Bushrangers were a terror to the Maoris, who soon realised that their time had come. —By "Fifty-One" in the Hawera Star. Members of the Equitable Building Society of New Plymouth (First ,and Second Groups) are notified that subscriptions will be due and payable today (Monday), at the Secretary's office, Currie street, from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., . from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 pjn.