MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 June 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

PANIC. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) Heke’s fame spread throughout New Zealand by that magic mystery of the Heliograph and with amazing rapidity. Unlike the radio it gathered force in every relay until the transmitters were punished by believing their own lies. The settlers blamed the military for the fall of Kororareka. Most of the detachment were young recruits who had a superstitious fear of cannibals. Bishops Pompallier and Selwyn witnessed the fight and helped the wounded. Religious folk said it was punishment for the sins of the people. Ten years later there were not more than one tenth of the then population of Kororareka. Some people today believe that the burning 'of that village was as famous as the great fire of Moscow. A panic spread through Auckland when the 400 settlers arrived, most of them only half clothed. Other settlers dreading war rushed to Auckland, some returned to England and properties could be bought for a trifle. Fort Britomart was extended and 300 men were armed and trained. The Catholic Church and the English Cathedral were barricaded. At Wellington and Nelson the same panic arose. Armed soldiers were seen in every main street. Alarms in Auckland was allayed by the generous offer of the friendly, chief Te Whero Whero to defend the city against Heke’s forces, which far outnumbered our men under arms. The only bright spot in the Auckland outlook was that the price of Kauri gum had suddenly doubled on the American market.