MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 December 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

HOW MAORIS DIFFER. (Recorded by J.H.S.. of Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) The Governor’s paper “Pihoihoi" in reply to the Maori challenge in the “Hokioi” to show why the Maori King deserved punishment, referred to the lawless state of Waikato and the inability of the King to prevent or punish crime. After citing various instances the article concluded thus: “If King Matutaere had power to punish crime he should be punished for not exercising it. If he had not that power he deserved punishment for pretending to be a King.” This logical" article produced great interest and excitement on both sides. Tribes not in sympathy with the King were amused, but his followers were angered. Eighty armed King Maoris broke open the door of the Governor’s paper Pihoihoi at Te Awamutu. An English printer was setting type. The intruders engaged in prayer such as had been taught them by the Missionaries, then proceeded to remove the type and the press. These were taken down the river to Kihikihi. With them were.found a box of clothes belonging to the printer which was carefully returned to the owner. EYen a valuable gold tie pin though coveted by every one of the crowd of Maoris who examined it was also returned. The rioters even asked for the “loan” of a pot and kettle for their use which was already in their hands. These also were carefully returned. The Government Magistrate on returning to his residence after dark, found it surrounded by a ring of fire at a safe distance from the fence. They had carried the firewood from their own bush. They took no notice as he passed through the one opening in their ranks, but sent a formal message for personal delivery that in the morning, unless he consented to leave the district, he was to be shot.