MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1938, Page 7

MAORI MEMORIES

PANIC. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Korora reka never recovered from the shock. Only about 40 people occupied their former homes. It isolated them and caused them to compare its destruction with the burning of Rome or Moscow. The English Church, riddled with bullets, still stood. A dangerous panic struck Auckland when the penniless and grief-stricken refugees of the former capital, packed like slaves in every suitable ship, arrived. This terror, apparent even to the friendly tribes in Waikato, spread abroad when they heard that Heke was to attack the town at the next full moon. Block houses were built and the church, windows barricaded. Three hundred men were being trained to arms. Each night the fear of Heke increased. Sentries were posted, and the men of H.M.S. Hazard were stationed ashore.

There were a number of friendly natives anxious to protect and assist the Pakehas; but ignorance of the Maori traditions and language were as common among the newcomers in those days as they are with us today. When news of the destruction of Korora reka reached Wellington and Nelson, the settlers showed fear and the Maoris talked fight. The 58th Regiment arrived from England, and were amazed to think that they were expected to fight in alliance with a, cannibal crowd who knew nothing of 'British military obedience. On the other hand, these friendly Maoris, who publicly worshipped the Christian God morning and evening, asked Colonel Hulme if his soldiers, who came from the sacred land of the missionaries, were real Christians. A diversion was caused to both friendly and fighting Maoris when they found a source of wealth in the trebled value of kauri gum, which had hitherto only been used for fuel and lighting by the soldiers and settlers.