PAGES FROM THE PAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1922, Page 9

PAGES FROM THE PAST.

THE MAORI WARS.

fTHE TRUCE,

(By

“Juvenis.”)

When Wiremu Tarihana te Tarapipi, anglaice Thompson, was residing at Ngaruaw’ahia, he received several letters from Bishop 'Selwyn, and the late Chief Justice Martin, soliciting his in terference for making peace with the tribes at Taranaki This was during the height of the War, and he paid no attention to them; but- the fourth, containing an intimation that the Governor had joined in the request, induced him to make up his mind to interfere. He accordingly started to the scene of conflict, and arrived at Waitara early in March. The result of his arrival was the hoisting of a 'flag of truce at Hapurona’s pa on the 12th of March, and a brief conference, which ended in the renewal of hostilities. On the 19th, Hapurona again hoisted, the white flag. On the 27th, s.s. Victoria brought from -Manukau His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Weld the Native Minister, Mr. Whitaker the Attorney-General, Mr. Commissioner McLean, and Tamati Waka Nene, the great Ngapuhi chief. On the 30th, the s.s. Airedale brought from Manukau Major-General Cameron, C. 8., and Miss Cameron. Major-General Sir Duncan Cameron’s commissions- dated as follows:—Ensign, April the 8th,1825; Lieutenant, August the l'sth, 18*26; Captain, June the 21st, 1833; Major, August the 23rd, 183-9; LieutenantColonel, September the sth, 1843; Colonel, June the 20th, 1854; MajorGeneral, March the 25th, 1859. He was the President of the Council of Army Education. He served in the Eastern campaign of 1854 55: commanded the 40th Regiment at the battle of Alma, and the Highland Brigade at the battle of Balaclava, and on the expedition to Kertch, seige of Sebastopol, and assault on the outworks on the 18th June. His decorations were —medal and clasps, C. 8.. Officer of the Legion of Honor, Sardinian medal, third class of the Medjindie, Knight Commander of the Bath, 1864. Knight Grand Cross of the Bath, 1873, and New Zealand medal. He was born about ISOS, and was of an ancient Scottish Highland Clan.

Hapurona having kept the white flag hoisted, a. lengthened korero took place, occupying several days. At length Hapurona and a few followers accepted the following terms, the Waikatos agreeing bo return to their homes, while Wi Kingi, who was in the Waikato district, refused to give his sanction to them or to meet the Government:

“Terms offered by the Governor to the Waitara Insurgents. “Hapurona and Ngatiawa:—For twelve months you have been carrying arms against Her Majesty the Queen, and the authority of the law; you have now laid down your arms, and expressed your desire for peace; believing your desire to be sincere, I have come from Auckland for the purpose of -stating the terms upon which it will be granted, and upon which Her Majesty’s gracious pardon and protection will be extended to you. “They are as- follows: “1. The investigation of the Title, and the survey of the land at Waitara, to be continued and completed without interruption. “2. Every man to be permitted to state his claims without interference, and my decision, or the decision of such persons as I may appoint, to be conclusive. “3. "All lands in possession of Her Majesty’s forces belonging to those who have borne arms against Her Majesty to be disposed of by me as I may think fit. “4. All guns belonging to the Government to be returned. “5. All -plunder taken from the settlers to be forthwith restored. “6. The Ngatiawa who have borne arms against the Government must submit to the Queen, and to the authority of the law, and not resort to force for the redress of wrongs, real or imaginary.

“7. As I did not use force for the acquisition of land, but for the vindication of the law and for the protection of Her Majesty’s native subjects ; n the exercise of their just rights, I shall divide the land, which I have stated my intention to dispose of, amongst its former owners, but I shall reserve the sites of the blockhouses and redoubts, and a small piece of land around each for the public use, and shall exercise the right of making roads through the Waitara district. In conformity with the declaration made on the 29th of November, 1859, the rights of those who may prove their title to any part of the piece of land at Waitara will be respected. “On your submission to these terms you will come under the protection of the law, and enjoy your property, both lands and goods, without molestation." THE DECLARATION OF HAPURONA. “I hereby declare that the terms of peace proposed by the Governor have been read and fully explained to mo, and that I understand them thoroughly, and T declare that on behalf of myself and people I agree to abide by and fulfil them. “Hapurona Pnkerimn.” terms have been read and explained in our presence, and made thoroughly to be understood, this Sth day of April, 186.1. “J. A. WILSON. Missionary. C.M.S.. “of the District of Auckland. “MORE. “DONALD McLEAN, Native See. “I, Hapurona. speak for myself, for all these mon whose names are. hereunto described, for the woman and children.” Here follow 64 signatures. THE DECLARATION OF PATUKAKARIKI. “I hereby declare that the terms of peace proposed by the Governor have been road and fully explained to me, and that T understand them thoroughly; and I declare that on behalf of myself and.people I. agree to abide by and fulfil them. “Wiremu Nga waka Patnkagarivi, “His t Mark.” “These terms have befcn read and explained in ocur presence, and made thoroughly to bo understood. "Te Waka Nene, t "Fred. A. Wold, Native Minister. “Donald McLean, Native Secretary. -Similiar terms were offered to the Taranaki and Ngatinianui natives, who after considerable Bicfiitation. declared that they would neither accept, nor refuse them, but await the result of a conference on native matters at Waikato.