MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1940, Page 8

MAORI MEMORIES

HEKE. (Recorded by J.H.S., of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.’') Hoke, the famous Maori warrior, died of consumption in 1850, aged 42. He had lived a hectic life of strife since boyhood, and though his physical activities had ceased, he continued his agitation by talk and pen. He told ol his father-in-law Hongi’s interview with George the Fourth. When the King asked Hongi what brought him to England, Hongi replied “To gel gun; and sixty soldiers.” The King said: “I will not send soldiers lest you should be deprived of your lands: but I will send missionaries.” As related in the Parliament records of that year, Heke wrote "That the Missionaries asked for lands, which were given freely to them; that the disuse of the flag presented to this country by William the Fourth led to war; and that the Queen should withdraw her soldiers.” All his letters show that he had much of that wisdom which comes from a shrewd insight into character. In the hope of having a son to inherit the magic of his name, he contracted an illicit alliance, which was deeply resented by his beautiful and faithful wife . History fails to record the result.

Shortly before his death, Heke wrote to Governor Grey: “My sickness is great; but this is not the everlasting abode of the Spirit.” Those who saw him said his acute mind brightened as his body became weaker. His final words were: “1 have a vision which tells me my people are drying up like a river when there is no rain, and the missionaries will soon toll the bell when there will be no one to answer it.”

His body was finally laid in an almost. inaccessible great mountain cavern near Kaikohe.