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Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4807, 24 August 1894, Page 2

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Tho Greytown the Observer, writing: under yesteH day's date, says:—" This day is the ' anniversary of an unforgotton event in the history of our town, iiv the year 1863 there was a rising of the Natives here. Some 200 assembled in the old pah, the relics of which aro still standing at the entrance of Papawai road and vowed vengeance to the town and the people who were in it. There being no arms in the place, excepting a gun or two, the

settlors wero afraid of being attacked at any moment, Women and children wero sent over the hill into Wellington for protection, leaving their husbands, if necessary, to brave the fury of the enemy. At a meeting heldinthooldschoolhouse, which now stands ot the rear of the residence of Mr Braggins (but which at that time stood where the school residenco is now), Dr Fcatherston and one of his colleagues from Wellington were present, and old Ngatuere told the meeting that if they attempted to bring firearms over the hill, they would be stopped by the Maoris at the Fern Ground. (Uppper Hutt.) Dr Featherston urged that arms should bo broughtintotheWairarapa at any cost, and. thelateMrHastwell with his usual pluck and energy undertook to bring the arms over, the Rimutaka. After two anxious nights waiting, Mr Hastwcll arrived in Greytown and landed the firearms, which were served out to the volunteers on tho 23rd August, 1863, Olid can imagino the surprise of tho Natives on seeing our settlers armed with rifles.

This date was for years afterwards kept up by the holding of the " Old Cavalry Hunts," The trail was laid by paper across to Morrison's Bush, ' through "Stoney Mat," and across Morrison's Run as far as Tutu, the competitors wheelod round a cabbage tree (which is still in existence) and galloped home again. On the occasion of the first event two popular residents of this town at the present time, started oH behind the trailers and finished half-an-hour before the cavalry started, an ovent which was recounted with high glee for years afterwards. A ball was hold in the evening, and the day was looked upon as a great event by the settlers of those times. Sad to say, the celebration of this annivorsary . was allowed to dio out some twenty-two years ago."