MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 August 1938, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

THE SMELL OF POWDER. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) At a critical moment in 1857 it was discovered that unprincipld white men were smuggling arms, powder and bullets for sale to Maoris. Three tons of powder were stolen by Maoris from the Government magazine at Kauau Island by a cleverly-concealed tunnel a chain long. Through the influence of a friendly chief, assisted probably by the scarcity of firearms among them, it was restored. It was cunningly represented by traders that Governor Grey’s enactment against the purchase or use of arms by .Maoris was useless and hurtful, because it was not being observed. Governor Browne unwisely permitted the sale under certain conditions. Gun shops were opened by traders, and in the first six months over 3000 muskets were sold to Maoris. Vessels from Australia smuggled arms for our potential enemies until they had three to our one. A gunsmith bought 800 old military muskets from Government stores, repaired the locks, and sold them to the alarmed out-settlers at a profit of £2 each. An English visitor declared that we who had disarmed turbulent Ireland should not hesitate for one moment to do the same thing for the Maoris, to whom the very smell of powder is a stimulant for killing. Rivalry in the use of firearms also : led to war between’ two parties to one ' tribe. Moa nui said that “as Hapuku : had sold the forest, he must now cook his food with the bones of his parents,” and when blamed for killing people because of idle words, he replied: “A blow is forgotten, but an insult lives for ever.” By the intervention of the 65th Regi- ' ment, peace was restored in 1858.