AN OLD MYSTERY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1943, Page 2

AN OLD MYSTERY

L KIDNAPPING OF GIRL BY MAORIS. FINAL SCENE BROUGHT TO A CLOSE. 1 (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WHAKATANE, July 16. The death of Mrs Sarah Caroline Ngoungou, which occurred at her home at Poroporo, brought to a close the final scene in a mystery which for nearly 60 years remained a closelyguarded secret known only to a few Maori elders. A European, she was kidnapped by Maoris in Taranaki in 1873 when a child and brought up as a Maori. Her whereabouts remained a mystery till 1929, when she was recognised by her sister in Whakatane. Mrs Ngoungou was the wife of the late Ngoungou Hiketene, who died three years ago and who was a chief of the Ngati Pukeko. For years she had been a well-known figure in Whakatane. She was 78. Speaking recently. Mrs Ngoungou said that she had no regrets about her life. The girl's name was Caroline Perrett and her father was Mr William Perrett. who in 1873 had a small holding at Manutahi (now known as Lepperton), Taranaki, and also did contracting work. He secured a contract for clearing Maori burial grounds which were on the route of the railway then being constructed. This roused the feelings of Maoris, who deeply resented interference with the spirits of their dead. One morning late in the summer of 1873 Caroline, then eight years of age, disappeared. Prolonged search over a wide area of country failed to reveal any trace of the child. She had been kidnapped by a party of Maoris and her parents never saw her again. Her early life was one of unremitting labour among the Maoris and she was absolutely forbidden to speak to pakehas. She was taken overland from Taranaki to the east coast and from there taken in a canoe to Whangarei. For years she worked on gumfields in the north and the Maoris, fearing pursuit, were constantly on the move. For years Mr Perrett repeatedly left his work to search for his missing daughter. but without result. His two sons, who went as far as the King Country on one occasion, also had no success. The girl was brought up as a Maori and married. In 1929 Mrs F. J. Hayward saw Mrs Ngoungou in Whakatane and was so impressed by the resemblance to her mother that she wrote to the latter in Lower Hutt. The outcome was a dramatic reunion of the two sisters in Whakatane.