MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1939, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

DEFEAT AVENGED. (Recorded by J.U.S. for “Times-Age.”) In a great international conflict, a single attack or a political party election, such as that between the National and Labour parties in Maoriland, the secret of success is “secrecy.” This was demonstrated by Colonel Greer in 1864. Through some mysterious panic our troops suffered defeat in their attack on Gate Pa. Rawiri, the enemy chief, sent a messenger to the Colonel at Tauranga, with a challenge to attack his new position inland, "failing which he must be considered a coward” (wawau).

This tickled -the fancy of the brave Colonel, who decided to vindicate the good name of the 68th Regiment, who had so recently met their only defeat under circumstances which never have been explained. Prompt and determinate, Greer replied, "Good. We go." (Epaiana, ke haere Matoii.) Within ten minutes the men were on the march in darkness to an unknown end; without a trumpet sound, only the firm order: “Forward. Quick march. Perfect silence!"

After several hours’ toil through swamp and forest, the Maoris were seen in the distance under torchlight working at the trenches, palisades and mantraps (karapiti). Formalities, red tape and delay had created contempt for our “koati whero” (red coats), and the attack was not expected for a week or more. We lost ten men, but at least twelve times that number of the enemy were buried in their own newly-made trench graves. Gate Pa was fully avenged. Rawiri’s bravery was never in doubt. He died while directing his men to safety.