FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1916, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

THE WEKEKOA NATIVES SUBMISSION OF THE TRIBES. Old Taranaki resident!? will read with interest the following clipping from the Wanganui Times of fifty years ago:— In a recent issue we intimated that Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor, commanding the garrison, Major Duric, R.M., Mr. Jenkins, interpreter to the forces, Hori Kingi, Captain- Kemp, and others, had proceeded to the Wereroa Redoubt, to receive the submission of the natives of the neighboring districts, and administer the oath of allegiance. On arriving at the redoubt they found 25 of the chiefs and leading men from Okotnku, with their wives and children, camped in the bush without tents or covering, and under a heavy rain, which had continued for 14 hours without intermission. Tliey were at once sent for by Colonel Trevor, who humanely ordered them to be sheltered and fed. Meanwhile Aperahama despatched a letter to Ilakamia, and Te Wapu, of Putahia, demanding an explanation as to the cause of the non-ap-pearance of either themselves or their followers. Those two chiefs, with their wives and children, arrived at Wereroa, and presented themselves in a most wretched condition. They stated tliat more than one-half their tribe were suffering from influenza and low fever, that many had died, and that those who were able to move about were attending upon the siek; that all would be but too glad to come in and swear allegiance as soon as they were able to do so, but that they—the chiefs—with their wives and children, were prepared, on behalf of their followers, to submit to any terms proposed. By this time a, considerable number had collected, and all presented a most deplorable appearance. Miserably ehul, cold and dejected, they tendered what we believe to be a sincere submission. The Maori, for once, appeared to appreciate the kind and hospitable manner in which he was treated, and the ceremony of swearing beog over, two of the principal chiefs, in order to render the submission oinding upon the tribes, presented Colonel Trevor with a mat and greenstone from each. Thus terminated one of the most important negotiations transacted in these districts for many years past. The country is now open from Wanganui to the Patea, and we may reasonably expect that when Major McDonald and his men put in an appearance beyond that river, matters will speedily ba brought to a close, in so far as the few who are still disposed to be troublesome in those districts are concerned. We would again urge upon the Government the desirability of at once locating the native contingent and their European officers upon the land promised them, and thus relieve the country from the expense of maintaining them in the field.— Wanganui Times.