MAORI MEMORIES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1938, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES.

WEHI (Terror). (Recorded by "J.H.S.” for “Times-Age”) In their persistent opposition to Wellington settlers, the Maoris acted on principle, but they neither committed personal violence nor did they steal. They dismantled houses which had been built on disputed land and informed Colonel Wakefield of their intention. No property was taken away or damaged. A warrant was issued to arrest Rang! Haeata, the leader of these acts, but no bailiff dared execute it. A number of settlers reported the matter repeatedly. Colonel Wakefield- told his London directors that the Police Magistrate had been instructed not to interfere, and he asked for soldiers and a permit to form militia. The settlers lived in hourly dread of an attack by the Maoris whose numbers were as ten to one in the rural area. Everyone marvelled at the deliberate patience of these primitive savages, but few if any "of our people understood the imperative inborn call of their law of Utu (satisfaction) which demanded an eye for an eye. The Wanganui settlers were in the same plight. On arrival, they occupied the land shown them by the Company’s agent. The Maoris said they were ready to fight and die for their ancestral homes, and after losing all their means of living. 26 settlers appealed to the Governor for help. The Maoris and Pakehas at Auckland were living side by side in friendship; but at Kaipara, Mangonui and Whangarei there were disputes by Maoris against settlers for squatting on their land. At the Bay of Islands the missionaries had cemented the friendship between the two races; but both were enraged by the removal of the seat of Government to Auckland. Maoris and Pakehas blamed each other for burning the Governor’s residence at Russell.