MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 December 1940, Page 10

MAORI MEMORIES

TAKANGA (Preparing For War). (Recorded by J.H.S., or Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) The Maori Council decided that it was no use to settle the question of the Waitara land dispute for there would still remain the more vital difference concerning the Maori King. Wiremu Tamihana said: “Sir George Grey intended war. Within six months the Governor built The Queen’s Redoubt for 1,000 troops. A main road was being made to open up Maori land to British soldiers. As the road was through Crown land we may accept 3s (id a day for work there.” War was near, and the Maoris, ever alert, were quietly spending these wages on guns and ammunition. The Government agents were unaware of the danger, and were actually paying subsidies for the establishment of law and order which were spent on preparing for war.

Ngata, who fought in the Taranaki war, was encouraging his people to annex the white men's pigs, sheep and cattle on the pretence of their having damaged Maori crops. He even stopped the Maori mail carrier and searched for military correspondence concerning the movements of troops. Meantime he visited our officers in the guise of a friendly guest. Another Maori mailman was invited to tea and his bag was taken. Suspecting military correspondence, the bag was impounded as security for the penalty of £5 imposed on the cari iei. The Maori mail carrier , had outwitted them as they subsequently found it was full of old newspapers. (The letters were safe in the carriers pockets). A'farmer’s flock of 500 sheep was seized by the Maoris and released by order of their “Court” on payment of a £5 fine for trespass. , A secret meeting of the Kings fo - lowers was held at Piako and was attended by the large majority of Waikatos. .