PAGES FROM THE PAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1922, Page 9

PAGES FROM THE PAST.

THE-TALL OE PUKERAHGIORA, , A. ‘ ' MASSACRE OK * , . (By “Juvenis,”) In a previous issue I related the story of the attack on Ngamotu pah, near the Sugarloaves, whereat the marauding Waikatos, after lengthy fighting, and with the assistance of the pakeha Maoris with their small cannon, were defeated, overwhelmed and eaten. Incidentally, reference was made to the fall of Pukerangiora just before the attack on Ngamotu was launched, and the importance of the incident justifies perhaps further notice. Pukerangiora is one of the most interesting and picturesque places in Taranaki. It is a natural stronghold, as the Imperial troops subsequently found to their cost, and in the olden days of which I write it was practically impregnable. You reach it either through Lepperton or through Brixton. If by the latter route you pass by Puketakauere (where the British forces were badly cut up), and the famous sap constructed by 'the forces. The remains of the long sap, the parallels, and rifle pits are still to be seen, and they are of very great interest, it is surprising more people do not visit the locality, as it is only an hour’s motor run from New Plymouth. A BEAUTIFUL VIEW. Having reached Pukerangiora, or Te Arei, as it sometimes is called, tue prospect is extensive, romantic and beautiful. To the eastward, the hill on which one stands presents a high escarpment to the river, on the opposite bank of which is situated the thriving dis ict of Tikorangi. Beyond, over the tops of the forest trees, and at a considerable distance rise the peaks of Tongariro and Ruapehu. To the south, massively grand, pure and beautiful, rises the snowclad Egmont, like a stainless altar on which ministering angels might offer incense. To the north and west extends a spacious plain, which has been converted into “fertile fields and dewy meads,” giving life and enjoyment to herds, men, women, and children. Beyond roll the blue waves of the Pacific. To the north-west near to the coast rises shrub-crowned Puketapu, or the sacred mount, erst the home and fortress of the Puketapu hapu. Pukerangiora, or the hill clad with rangiora trees, was in old time the strong home of the Pukerangiora hapu. At the Sugarloaves resided the Ngamotu hapu, or hapu of the Islands. North of the Waitara resided the liapus of Atiawa, Ngatitama, Ngatimutunga, and Ngatirahiri, all sections of the bold and adventurous tribe of Ngatiawa, or tribe of the river, so called perhaps from its ancient location on the banks of the Waitara. Krom Pukerangiora a forest path skirted the eastern foot, of Egmont and led out to the shores of Cook’s Strait, where dwelt other sections of the tribe. Other paths led to spots favorable for spearing birds, catching eels, and for procuring red ochre for decorating canoes, houses, and faces in times of war. THE BLOODY HONGI. This secluded and romantic village was peopled by 1,500 individuals. The seed from which the tribe in general, and this village in particular, reaped a harvest of sorrow, was sown in 1820. In that year Hongi Hika, chief of the princely tribe of Ngapuhi, visited England,’ was presented to King George tho Fourth, and received from that monarch a suit of armour and other valuable presents. He also inspected British soldiers and weapons. Returning to Sydney, he exchanged all his presents for 300 muskets and ammunition. Returning to New Zealand he commenced a bloody raid upon Waikato. Nor was he content with this, but sent his general, Tamati Walker Nene, as far as Taranaki on a mission of slaughter. Mere spear and tomahawk were of no avail before the murderous English gun; and the tribes on learning its destructive powers exerted themselves to the utmost to procure a stock of the same warlike implements. Scraped flax was generally the article that was bartered for these weapons. At this time there was living at Kflwhia a chief named Te Raupabaha. Fearful of destruction at the hands of Hongi, he fled to the shores of Cook Strait, where, unfortunately, he was able to purchase a stock of guns and ammunition. Imitating the actions of the chief from whose persecution he had fled, he now commenced a slaughter of the defenceless tribes around him. So frightful were the atrocities he committed that, no one deemed himself safe within a hundred miles of his headquarters. In IS3B the Ngatitama at Port Nicholson chartered the English brig Rodney to convey them to the Chatham Islands, out of the reach of this murderous and extortionate man. THE SOUTHERN RAID. In 1829 Te Pahi, a chief, was murdered by the natives of Banks’ Peninsular during a visit made to barter muskets for greenstone. No satisfaction was deemed sufficient for such a man but the head of Tamaiharanui, the chief of the tribe, and it devolved on Rauparxha and Rangihaeata. his nearest relatives, to avenge his death. For the purpose,’ Captain Stewart, on the promise of a cargo of flag, conveyed Rauparaha and eighty warriors in the brig Elizabeth from Kapiti to Banks’ Peninsular. When the ship was anchored Rauparaha and his party hid themselves below, while Stewart falsely represented him--1 self to those who came on board as a flax trader. Stewart invited the chief to visit the ship, and three days afterwards Tamaiharanui, his wife, on, daughter, and several of the tribe came on *l>oard. Descending into the cabin, Tamaiharanui met Rauparaha face to face; Te Pahi's son drew up the upper lip of Tamaiharanui, and cried, “There are the teeth which ate my father.” A massacre ensued and all were slain save Tamaiharanui, his wife, and his daughter, who were kept to grace the victor’s return. Then the warriors landed and slew every native they met. Captain Stewart returned to Kapiti. During Jie return voyage the flesh of the victims was cooked in the ship's coppers and devoured amidst songs and war dances. Tho captive chief was bound hand and foot, but his wife was not manacled and managed to strangle her beautiful daughter to save her from the indignities likely to be inflicted upon her by her captors. Enraged at. this act, Ranparaha sucked Tamaiharanui's bloo-l through a flowing vein, thrust a red hot ramrod through his body, and derided him in his extreme agony with bitter jests. The wife was killed at Otaki. Capta.in Stewart never got his p>»uilsed

cargo of flax. He was tried before the 'Supreme Court of New South Wales for the part he took in this dreadful massacre, but was acquitted for want of evidence. Vengeance, however, followed

:him, for he died in a drunken fit on the deck of the Elizabeth' while rounding Cape Horn, and. was thrown overboard by his crew with little ceremony and no regret. Actuated by a similar spirit to Raui paraha, Te Wherowhero, chief of Waikato, used every endeavor to procure guns, and only too well succeeded. Possessing more flax and better ports than Natiawa, the advantages in this traffic were all on the side of Waikato. Ngatiawa thus became virtually a target for Waikato to try its new arms upon. Raid after raid was made upon this comparatively defenceless people. For some time the Ngamotu hapu was enabled to successfully defend itself, having the assistance of the English whalers, from whose two or three ships guns volleys of grape shot were poured into their, assailants. 500 ’MAORIS MASSACRED. About 1830-1 Pukerangiora was taken by the chief Te Wherowhero. Wearied by repeated assaults and continued watchings, the garrison was at last overpowered, and a fearful slaughter ensued. The chief slew 50 of the captives with his own hand. Many were driven over the escarpment. Altogether, 500 perished, a few escaped, and the rest were carried away into slavery. An old resident was travelling some years ago with some natives near the sources of the Waiwakaiho at the foot of the mountain, when suddenly his companions commenced a tangi. On enquiring the cause of this, he was informed that a small party of fugitives from Pukerangiora had" taken shelter here, but were followed and slain by the Waikatos.

A sociable old native named Manga, who has been dead many years, used to tell of his escape from this slaughter. He was wounded in the neck and left for dead. Watching a favorable opportunity he snatched up a child which the foe had, left unharmed, and placing it upon his shoulders he started with all speed along the forest path which led to Cook's Strait. Not daring in his fear to set the little one down he fed it with berries upon his shoulders, and threw water up to it with the palm of his hand. The victorious Waikatos returned home with their captives and trophies; the earth drunk in the blood of the slain; and when the spring returned the rangiora trees hung out their snow white “leafy banners” as though uo blood had ever defiled them.