MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1941, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

4, TRIBAL TACTICS. (Recorded by JUS, <>f Piilmmrtmi North J for the "Titnes-Age.”) Since the first guns came to the Maoris their defence:; hud to hr com- j pk'tely changed. The surrounding I uwakeri <ditch) 20 to 25 feet deep to, cheek attrieks was changed to 5 feet as rille pits from which to tire upon the enemy Lie tiUuekmg tribes knew that wis-j dnm v/us; inuu- clfiVtive than weapons Red hot stones were thrown from: sling:, to set fire to the roofs <?f dry toiioi and r.-iupo. Men protected by; shields of green flax leaves or tn: canes’ against spears, made zigzag trenches and tunnels to atUick; but .< j>a was' seldom taken by such means, though • sieges might be tried for six menlbs Treachery, starvation or j anic were more successful Th.- Rev. Morgan, a m: - inner 11436. givr-s an inst;mc<- of their -trategy Two pis. 114 miles apart, 'r.un-anga ami Tumu. wore the objectives. T.iiiiwng.i was : urrounded and cbalh-nged during each night with ironic calls, ’ Arc ya>u coming to the light'’" One morning aH ; was quiet, and the b< u-ger-. w. i - thought to have lied, until at sunnsa cr< wd of tilooti-Mtaincci mrn. foil; wcd I))- women and children riiuicti f r shelter t.» Tauranj’.i. The rrb and scouts at Tumu. fmd : . ■ -. • mghl The rituranga besiegers sur-! | reed them la-furc <|.,vl .du:y and wuund’.ng ever "(<) by ho wi: rgaro is.’.rau-gy< lb >•>:<■<( -.. i: <• <i: :■ 1.-. a m. ' tit-- . '.:.a • A ;•;> v. a . •:<>:nd.m.<-. ; , a '■.a: w :i .Ute;- w ; c ; 1!n; With Stm-kad. . ill ithrough panic. ;