MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1940, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

WANGANUI. ’Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) The Maoris make no moves in war or peace in darkness. This is due to their inherent fear of evil spirits. So the village of Petre (Wanganui's original name) was attacked at noon on May 19, 1847. All the people retired to the fortified houses behind the military barracks on the hill tops. The Maoris entered the deserted homes and kept up a constant fire for five hours, using the arms and ammunition with which they had- been supplied for the “occupation” of tribal lands. They had no idea of ‘'selling” land, which was an essential part of themselves, their ancestors, and the Maori race.

The Maoris boldly advanced to within speaking distance and challenged our soldiers to open combat. From the forts and the gunboat on the river we kept up a constant fire of shot and shell. They robbed every empty house, and killed or captured many cattle, disappearing at day dawn. Our men numbered 170 and the Maoris 600. We had no casualties, the Maoris had two chiefs killed and ten men wounded. Five pounds was the cost of sending a messenger to Wellington with news of the attack.

Governor Grey, Colonel McCleverty, Whero Whero, Waka Nene, and Te Puni with men of the 58th and 65th Regiments, numbering 330, in H.M.S. Calliope and Inflexible came to the rescue.

Sixteen days later the Maoris came in force and tried cunningly to induce 300 soldiers to enter a death trap, but they themselves were surprised, losing several killed and wounded, after which they retired to the forest.