MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 February 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

ROPATA WON THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS. (Recorded bj' J.H.S. for •'Times-Age.") Ngatapa Maori Pa consisted of three lines of earthen palisades of greater height and thickness than any other Maori fort in Maoriland. Each line faced a cliff cut in the face of the steep hill. Access and egress were made by cleverly hidden underground tunnels, the outer ends of which were loft unbroken six feet under the surface. Ropata had previously attacked the Pa with only 30 men of whom over a third were killed or wounded. About 150 had objected to the attack as being utterly impossible and had left him. Angry, tired and hungry. Ropata's remnant returned to the coast where they enlisted 300 loyal followers and returned to the attack, which had previously been abandoned by Colonel Whitmore who considered it to be an unnecessary sacrifice of life. Having previously made a complete survey on all sides. Ropata selected 50 braves to make a surprise attack al the rear, where they had to scale an almost perpendicular cliff by clinging to the roots and branches. There were many casualties on both sides. As the cross fire from the front and back be•came dangerous Ropata directed the former to cease fire. This also deluded the defenders who rushed out to pursue the imagined retreat, and were met by heavy slaughter. Darkness fell and all. seemed to bo at. rest. Te Kooti saw defeat coming and planned retreat at the only point which 4 was deemed inaccessible—a cliff sixty feet high. Blankets, sheets, and the Maori mats were cut in strips and used ns a rope ladder for escape at 2 n.m. Many prisoners wore killed under the law of Utu.