MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1938, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

A LITERAL READING. (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) The renewed fighting between the rival tribes in Taranaki was caused under the following circumstances. Katatora had virtually been outlawed by his tribe because he refused to join them in their treaty of peace with the Pakehas in 1856. He felt it was unsafe to leave his villa unarmed. He attempted to gain favour with the British by offering to sell the land which had caused the fighting in 1854. When he and his brother were returning from New Plymouth they were killed and mutilated as traitors by Arama Karaka’s successor, Ihaia, who fearing revenge, entrenched himself in a natural fort on the bank of the Waitara River. This strategic spot was known as Karaka. Katatore’s tribe was enraged by the escape of Ihaia and in frenzy burned his village, drays, and farm implements, killed and ate his working bullocks and pigs, and confiscated his horses. Wiremu Kingi, their leader, beseiged Ihaia’s stock and issued a proclamation in Biblical language that when captured, Ihaia, Nikorima, and Pukere should be dealt with as Nebuchadnezzar had ordered offenders to be cast into a fiery furnace: “Suspended over a slow fire, even as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall it be with Ihaia, Nikorima, and Pukere.” The Governor was determined to punish those who had murdered Katatore on the Queen’s land near the homes of settlers. All Maoris under arms (bought mainly from us) in Taranaki were declared to be enemies of the Queen. Three hundred militia were enrolled, and every soldier in the colony held in readiness to come to Taranaki to prevent bloodshed on Pakeha land. The Governor's policy was non-inter-vention.