MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1939, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

THE LAST OF OHAEAWAI. (Recorded by J.H.S. tor “Times-Age.”) Continuing his narrative of yesterday 'the writer states: “During the last night in the darkness, the Maori warriors of Ohaeawai had considerately carried the body of every dead soldier (except the brave Philpot) half way toward their camp, so that they might be identified and decently buried. That of Philpot was used so that every Maori warrior in the pa, 170 of them, could acquire his great Mana (influence). His scalp was taken by the Tohunga to be used for divination of events in war. “The quiet in the pa was regarded as a warning not to enter lest a surprise attack was planned. The dogs in the pa howling and the absence of war cries induced the friendly chief Tamahue to enter cautiously at night. Except for one over-tired woman sound asleep, all others had vanished. “At once there arose a pandemonium of plunder, whites and friendly Maoris contesting for trifles throughout the vast trench system which had saved the lives of all but 10 of the 200 defenders, as against 110 casualties among our men. “Then our Maori allies went in pursuit of the enemy as far as Kaikohe where they met a well-known pakeha cleric, who reproved them angrily for their failure to rest on the Holy Sabbath. He told them that their souls would be roasted in the other world for making war on Sunday. So the chiefs thought it must be unlucky to fight on a Ra tapu (sacred day). They therefore only set fire to Heke’s house, and returned to Kaikohe. When they thought the war was over, it was seenthat the soldiers used Sundays for mischief or sport. When no other diversions offered, they always went to prayers. “The remains of Philpot were reverently buried by the enemy who had killed him, in order that they might acquire his virtues. Even today far more Maoris than Pakehas bow their heads and whisper a prayer at the grave."