APRIL 29th, 1864
Supplemented by Extracts from Official Records
and other matter and illustrations gathered and
compiled from various sources
By
Editor, “Bay of Plenty Times”
TAURANGA:
Preface
On June 14th., 1924, in the Special Issue of the Bay of Plenty Times produced to commemorate the opening of the railway to Tauranga, appeared a story of the battle of
“When the issue of this Special Number was first planned it was recognised that, as one of the most notable engagements between the British and Native forces in the earlier days of New Zealand's history, the
‘I assume that you would wish to give a brief history of the interesting Ngaiterangi tribe, the career of which in the acts of diplomacy and great warlike courage, have been very remarkable, enabling it, under its warrior leaders, to win its way by strategy or desperate bravery along 300 miles of coast, through the most densely inhabited parts of New Zealand as at that time existing.
‘I have brought in a few striking historic events, but excluding much interesting matter. This brings the date up to the eventful
‘
‘This is the only known instance of an account written or dictated by a Maori, with the exception of the story of Orakau, translated by myself from the lips of the late Ngatiraukawa Chief
‘I have always been struck with Taiaho's comprehensive, modest and truthful account. I believe it will be a great feature in your publication.’
The demand for copies of that Special Issue was so great, particularly in view of Captain Mair's interesting story of
This was done in 1926, and the supply of that publication being in turn exhausted I am now re-publishing the story with additional matter and illustrations.
In searching for new matter the difficulty experienced has been to know just where to draw the line between a story of the
W. H. Gifford
Editor, Bay of Plenty Times.
A Brief History up to the date of the
This brief history of the Native Tribes of Tauranga up to the year 1864, and the story of the battles ofGate Pa and Te Ranga, were compiled by the lateCaptain Gilbert Mair from various authentic records, from information derived from Officers and Maoris actually engaged, and from his own observations.
On November 2nd, 1769, the great navigator
From that time up to 1828, there is no record of any vessel's prow cleaving the waters of the Bay of Plenty. In that year the mission schooner “Herald,” with the Rev. Henry (afterwards Archdeacon) Williams, James Hamlin and Richard Davis, my father, the late
The principal pas were Otamataha (Cemetery Point), belonging to Ngatapu under Koraurau; Maungatapu, held by Ngatihe, under Kiharoa, Te Mutu and Taupari; and Otumoetai which belonged to Ngaiterangi proper under Te Waru, Tupaea, Taharangi and Hikareia. But the shores of the harbour, as far as Katikati and Matakana Island, were closely inhabited, probably by ten thousand men, women and children.
A brief history of the ancestors of the Tauranga natives should prove interesting. About 360 years ago they were living in the fertile Opotiki valleys, when they were expelled southwards to Gable End Foreland, after which, by diplomacy and sheer courage, they travelled up the coast under
After numberless futile efforts by the combined inland Arawa tribes to retake
In 1820 the Ngaiterangi were attacked by Ngapuhi under
During the year 1828, three days after the “Herald” Mission schooner had sailed, Otamataha Pa (at Cemetery Point) was attacked by
In 1834–5 the English Church Mission was established at The Elms, Tauranga.
Nevertheless, the whole of the Bay of Plenty became a battle ground, the Thames natives, Ngapuhi, Waikato and the Arawa taking part promiscuously. In 1842, Major Bunbury with a detachment of the Eighteenth Regiment, was sent to Tauranga with
This stone was erected by Te Pukuatua, the then leading chief of the Arawas. After his death it passed to the care of the Arawa chieftain Te Hapara, whose death occurred in 1936. After his death the stone came into possession of his nearest descendant, Mrs D. W. Steele, of Rotorua, who after consulting with the chief's wife, decided to place the stone at Ohinemutu. The stone was accordingly re-erected there and on Sunday, February 7th., 1937, it was unveiled by the Rt. Rev.
For Ngaiterangi and Tauranga a new era of prosperity had dawned. Wars and rumours of wars had ceased entirely, only to be rudely dispelled in 1864 when numbers of the young men of the tribe, actuated by a love of adventure and the desire to help their kinsmen and old allies, joined the disaffected natives fighting against the Queen's troops in Waikato, which induced
Colonel and Officers 68 th Light Infantry Tauranga 1864
A group of officers who took part in the
of the late Mr
The present Main Highway from Tauranga to Rotorua
and Matamata passes through the Pa well to the left
looking at the Pa from the front.
Awaiting the Order to Advance 1864
Taken from a photograph then in the possession of the late
Captain Mair's Graphic Account of the Memorable Battle
No satisfactory explanation has yet been given, how it happened that nearly two thousand men of Her Majesty's forces, the finest troops known, amply provided with the best artillery and arms of precision in the world, were singlely defeated by less than two hundred and fifty Ngaiterangi warriors, whose only weapons consisted of old flint tower muskets, Brummagem double and single barrelled shot guns and long-handled tomahawks.
Up to this time, the Ngaiterangi, as a tribe, had committed no overt acts against the Queen's sovereignty, beyond permitting intermittent parties of young hot-bloods to join their kinsmen and hereditary allies then fighting against the Pakeha at Waikato, and though in general sympathy with the Maori King movement, yet were living in perfect amity with the missionaries and Europeans in their midst. But it was rumoured that a force of fourteen or fifteen hundred well armed rebels from the East Cape districts, projected breaking through the loyal Arawa territory to join the Waikato insurgents. This may have been one of the factors that induced Governor Grey and his responsible Ministers to take strong measures. Accordingly on January 21st, 1864, three men-o-war were seen entering the Whanganui channel at Tauranga Heads, and shortly afterwards dropped anchor off
Shortly afterwards H.M.S. “Miranda,” with the 68th Durham Light Infantry, under Colonel Meurant, and the 43rd under Colonel Booth, arrived, and directed by Colonel Mould, R.E., built and
Then the Flying Column of 500 men, consisting of drafts from the 12th., 14th., 50th., 65th., and 70th., under Major Ryan, arrived, also the medical ambulance transport, and all other necessary services.
Prior to this the disaffected natives had held a general meeting at Potiriwhi (Port of Relief) at Wairoa, and promulgated a most chivalrous and humane code to be observed in the fighting. They then dispersed to their respective stations along their front, the edge of the great forest extending sixteen miles from Te Puna (where they confidently expected an attack owing to its deep water facilities) to the head of the Waimapu, where they re-built an old pa named Waoku (the Silent Forest Shade). From here their leader, the chief Rawiri Puhirake, despatched a formal message notifying the commanding officer of the position they had occupied, and that if attacked there would accept the ordeal of battle. They further detailed the solemn rules To the Colonel, Friend, salutations to you. The end of that, friend, do you give heed to our laws for (regulating) the fight. Rule 1. If wounded or (captured) whole, and butt of the musket or hilt of the sword be turned to me (he) will be saved. Rule 2. If any Pakeha being a soldier by name, shall be travelling unarmed and meet me, he will be captured, and handed over to the direction of the law. Rule 3. The soldier who flees, being carried away by his fears, and goes to the house of the priest with his gun (even though carrying arms) will be saved; I will not go there. Rule 4. The unarmed Pakehas, women and children will be spared. The end. These are binding laws for Tauranga.Potiriwhi District of Tauranga,March 28, 1864By TEREA PUIMANUKAWI KOTIROPINE ANOPUKERETIPATERIKIOr rather by all the Catholics at Tauranga.
The young men began to get weary of idleness and it was proposed to make an attack on the camp—a sort of feeler. Accordingly small detachments from the various defensive points collected, and a mild attack was made on the camp. A gun, accidentally discharged, wounded one of their number, which was considered an evil portent, and when the troops advanced in large numbers, opening fire from 12-pounder Armstrongs, the enemy retired, two soldiers only being wounded. A verbal message was sent to Te Papa, saying that as their position inland was evidently too far off for the troops to march, the natives proposed to take up a position nearer Te Papa. The above skirmish had occurred on April 2nd., and the next day the enemy was observed energetically entrenching on Pukehinahina Ridge (a narrow neck where swamps from the Waimapu and Waikareao branches of the harbour were about 300 yards apart). The missionaries had built a deep ditch and high bank across, on which a gate was placed; hence the name of
About this time the large body of East Coast rebels above alluded to, had landed from their war canoes at Otamarakau, and marched inland, but were driven back by the Arawa with severe loss from Tarua, Rotoiki Lake, after three days' fighting. They resumed their march, and brushing aside the weak resistance of the Arawa, crossed the Waihi lagoon, and took up a position facing Pukemaire Pa on the Whareo Te Rangimarere ridge. Fired on
On April 21st., General Cameron and staff arrived by H.M.S. “Esk,” and on the 26th, 600 navals and marines were disembarked from H.M.S. “Miranda,” “Curacoa,” “Esk,” and “Harrier.” Also one 110-pounder Armstrong gun, and two 40-pounder Armstrong guns from the “Esk,” which with fourteen other guns, landed previously, were taken out by 800 troops to within easy distance of the
During the interval from their first occupation of the
The old missionary ditch running across the ridge from swamp to swamp had been enlarged and strengthened. On the western slope, just on the crest of the ridge, a small oblong redoubt about 25 paces by 18 had been built and garrisoned by the chief Heta and twenty-six men of the Pirirakau, Ranginui and Ohoheriki tribes, then a clear space of about 30 paces intervened, consisting of the aforesaid ditch only. This gap had been left as the point of honour in expectation of six hundred Ngatihaua and Waikato natives—who, however, never came—occupying it. Here was constructed the citadel, or main work, extending eastward 40 or 50 paces, decreasing in strength and width toward the eastern extremity, to where the ditch connected with the swamp and water supply. The whole of the main works were enclosed by a single light fence lashed to two rails with flax, the interior being a network of traverses, covered ways and shelters, cleverly covered over with a scanty supply of timber, and blinded with flax and titree and earth, hardly any proper timber being available, except some house building material and a dismantled stockyard.
On the afternoon of the 28th., General Cameron, having completed all arrangements, a sham attack was launched at the enemy's position, and continued till dark, from which no casualties to either side resulted. But the Waimapu contingent, conceiving the attack to be real, rushed to join their countrymen, thus enabling Colonel Greer, with about 700 men of the 68th Regiment, to leave camp at 9 p.m., guided by a young settler, Mr William Purvis, and travelling along the mudflats unobserved, they took up a position several yards in the enemy's rear, completely cutting off their retreat inland. It was raining heavily, and throughout the night the 68th could hear the enemy talking in their trenches. About midnight, the General became anxious at receiving no report from Colonel Greer, so despatched Deputy Assistant-Quartermaster-General, Colonel Gamble, with a detachment of sixty blue-jackets from H.M.S. “Curacoa,” under
At daybreak on the 29th, fire was opened on the enemy's position, and continued without intermission till noon, when a 6-pounder Armstrong field piece, having been taken across the swamp and placed in position on a high ridge, completely enfiladed the enemy's left defences, crumpling them up to the small redoubt on the crest of the hill aforesaid. Up to that time our fire had been directed at the flagstaff on a rise 60 yards in the rear, and not having been effectual, the range was shortened and all guns concentrated on the right hand corner of the main citadel. At times our fire was rather wild, but the practice of the 24-pounder howitzers, 8-inch mortars, and 6-inch cohorns, under Captain Smith, R.A., was admirable, and the continuous rain, converting the light soil of the defences into mud, the slender fences were soon demolished. About 3 p.m. the 110 pounder ceased firing, having expended 100 rounds. Later on a considerable body of the enemy attempted to escape on their extreme right, but the 68th extended, and supported by Lieutenant Hotham's Naval Brigade, they were driven back with considerable loss. At 4 p.m. the assaulting column of 150 men of the 43rd., under Colonel Booth, and the same number of the Naval Brigade led by Commander Hay, H.M.S. “Harrier,” formed up on our extreme right, where the contour of the ground sheltered it from the fire of the small redoubt. At the same time the 170 men of the 70th under Major Ryan marched to the right under cover of batteries, and lay concealed in the fern to keep down the enemy's fire, with instructions to later on follow the stormers into the breach. The 300 of the 43rd, seamen and marines under Captain C. F. Hamilton, H.M.S. “Esk,” comprised the reserve, which was also to follow into the works.
The covering party in the fern were only 100 yards from the Pa. The signal—a rocket—having been fired, the storming party, four abreast, (two soldiers and two sailors), with their officers at the flanks, at once, with hurrahs and cheers, rushed at the double toward the breach. The two companies of the 70th then opened up a tremendous fire, and the 68th, with answering cheers, closed up at the rear with heavy fire. In a few minutes, the storming party, gallantly led by their officers, was in the centre of the Pa. The natives, falling back and endeavouring to escape at their rear, were driven in by the tremendous fire of the 68th, and being between two fires which must have inflicted losses on friend and foe alike, the natives sought shelter in their covered ways, traverses and underground shelters, from whence they opened a severe fire on our troops. At this time the enemy from their extreme right, were seen jumping and leaping as they rushed to attack our forces. It was now almost dark, and most of the officers had fallen;
General Cameron, from the nearest and most exposed point, with all his staff, believed the position had been won, and immediately ordered up the supports, led by Captain T. C. Hamilton and Captain (afterwards Commodore) Robert Jenkins (the latter though senior, having consented to serve under his junior officer). Captain Hamilton had only reached the second trench when he fell dead, and the whole force fell back outside, the enemy pursuing, and at the same time keeping up a severe cross fire from the detached small redoubt, thus taking a heavy toll of our men.
General Cameron, having rallied his men, threw up earthworks within a hundred yards of the enemy's position just about dark, and waited anxiously for daylight. Captain Jenkins and Dr. Manley were the last men to leave the Pa. Captain Jenkins had a very narrow escape through falling into a deep trench full of Maoris who were so tightly packed they could neither load their guns, nor use their long-handled tomahawks. Meanwhile he belaboured them viciously with his long heavy naval spying glass and uttered terrible yells, which quite unnerved them. The remains of the spyglass were returned to him after the fight.
At midnight, Major Greaves, creeping up to the works, reported that he believed the enemy had retired, and at 5 a.m. a sailor belonging to H.M.S. “Harrier” entered and found the place had been abandoned by the defenders, who had crept through the spaces between the lines of the 68th during the darkness.
When the troops took possession in the morning a sad spectacle presented itself. A correspondent (Mr Wilkinson) thus describes the scene:—
“Three men of the 43rd L.I. were lying dead against the inner paling of the fence. On entering the Pa, within a few yards the bodies of four Captains of the 43rd were lying, and further on in line with the others, Colonel Booth of the same regiment was leaning against the rear palisade of the Pa, his spine smashed by a big Tower musket ball, and his arm broken. He was still living, and on being carried out saluted his General, and expressed hisregret at not having succeeded in carrying out his orders. Officers of the ships were lying stark dead in line with the others in the same trenches, and as they were alone must have been in advance of their men and fell while nobly leading them. Captain Hamilton, H.M.S. “Esk,” and Captain Muir of the 43rd, lay in the same trench, having fallen while leading their men. Captain Hamilton, of the 43rd., was lying against the fence, and was still breathing. He had been mortally wounded and left lying in the Pa all night amongst the enemy. Close by him were the bodies of Captains Glover and Utterton of the same regiment. In the centre rifle pit lay Lieutenant Hill of H.M.S. “Curacoa,” who was the senior surviving officer of H.M.S. “Orpheus,” lost on the Manukau Bar, February 7th., 1863. Poor Hill had lived long enough to bind up his wounds with strips of his handkerchief, though shot through the centre of the neck and both cheeks. The dead body of a sailor lay in the second trench, the head split in two across the face by a tomahawk blow, entirely emptying the brain. The Gunner of H.M.S. “Miranda,” (Mr Watt) had his head severed from crown to lower jaw by one cut from a tomahawk, the cut passing straight through the nose. Captain Hamilton, H.M.S. “Esk,” lay with a gun shot wound in the temple through which the brain was protruding, but still alive.”
The rings, watches, money, trinkets, clothing, etc., of our dead, were untouched. This was the finest action of the enemy through the struggle. No one expected it, or could have believed that the exultant rebels would refrain from satiating their passion for revenge by mutilating the helpless bodies. But thank God; it was not so. They had previously determined on a chivalrous and honourable method of carrying on the war, and most scrupulously observed it.
The wounded Maoris were taken to hospital on stretchers for treatment, several dying there. Reweti, the second chief in command, had seven bullet wounds and both legs broken. The old Mission House at “The Elms,” Tauranga. Its erection was commenced in 1838 and completed in 1845. Except for a roofing of iron over the shingles and a few minor repairs, the building has been lovingly preserved by its present owner, Miss
Archdeacon Brown's Library at “The Elms,” the old Mission Station at Tauranga. Interestingly described by E. Maxwell in “Recollections and Reflections of an Old New Zealander,” p.p. 167–189.
[Photo. by R. J. Smith, A.R.P.S.]The date of this photograph of Tauranga is uncertain but presumably it was taken at about the time of the arrival of the troops in 1864.
Taken from an engraving in the Illustrated London News of July 23rd, 1864.
Only twenty of the enemy dead were found in the Pa, but nine more were collected, making twenty-nine who were buried on the west side of Cameron Road, between it and the swamp in the grove of trees there. A fortnight afterwards Piwharangi, another Ngaiterangi, was found and placed with the others, making thirty in all. The Venerable Archdeacon Brown conducted the service. No stone marks these gallant dead. When the fatigue party were laying the dead in one grave, the Maoris, who came in at the General's invitation, objected, making the soldiers place the plebians first, then laying the chiefs across their breasts, saying:—”Kati ano kia Waiho hei whariki mo a matou rangatira (It is well that they should be a couch whereon our chiefs may rest). Including those who died from wounds subsequently, I should put the total Maori loss at about forty-five.
The Debacle
Unforeseen Contingencies
Regarding the debacle of the
It is also agreed that an unmixed force would have shown greater cohesion and unity of purpose. There was no apparent reason why, with the large force available, a counter demonstration could not have been made against the eastern and western portion of the rebel position, to be pressed home or not. It seems certain that immediately the assault developed the enemy concentrated at the portion threatened.
The British casualties numbered more than one-third of the total force composing the storming party. Ten officers were killed or died from wounds. Of non-commissioned officers and privates, twenty-eight were killed and seventy-three wounded. Total killed and wounded, one hundred and eleven officers and men. The 43rd Regiment lost their colonel, four captains and one lieutenant, and two ensigns were severely wounded. Among the killed were two brothers, Captain and Lieutenant Glover, sons of that distinguished Colonel Glover, who rendered such important assistance to
Nearly all the naval brigade officers were killed or wounded, viz., killed: Captain Hamilton (H.M.S. Esk), Lieutenant Hill (H.M.S. Curacoa), Mr Watt, gunner (H.M.S. Miranda); wounded: Commander Hay—mortally (H.M.S. Harrier), Lieutenant Hammick— severely (H.M.S. Miranda), Lieutenant Duff—severely (H.M.S. Esk).
43rd Regiment—Killed:—
Employed in the Attack
Troops
(Taken from General Cameron's Official Despatch.)
-
General Staff—4 field officers, 1 subaltern.
-
Medical Staff—2 field officers, 1 subaltern.
-
Naval Brigade—4 field officers, 6 captains, 7 subalterns, 36 sergeants, 5 drummers, 371 rank and file.
-
Royal Artillery—1 field officer, 1 captain, 3 subalterns, 1 staff, 1 sergeant, 43 rank and file.
-
Royal Engineers—2 rank and file.
-
Moveable Column—1 field officer, 2 captains, 3 subalterns, 1 staff, 6 sergeants, 4 drummers, 164 rank and file.
-
43rd Regiment—1 field officer, 5 captains, 5 subalterns, 3 staff, 17 sergeants, 12 drummers, 250 rank and file.
-
68th Regiment—3 field officers, 6 captains, 15 subalterns, 3 staff, 34 sergeants, 21 drummers, 650 rank and file.
-
Total:—16 field officers, 20 captains, 35 subalterns, 8 staff. 94 sergeants, 42 drummers, 1480 rank and file.
In addition to which were the First Battalion and First Waikato Regiment, about six or eight hundred strong.
1, 110-pounder Armstrong; 2, 40-pounder Armstrongs; 2, 6-pounder Armstrongs; 2, 24-pounder howitzers; 2, 8-inch mortars; and 6 cohorn mortars. Total, 15 guns.
Prior to the Fight
Fraternising with the Natives
During the several months our troops were stationed in Te Papa prior to actual hostilities, the Tommies, aye, all the officers too, had closely fraternised with the hospitable and chivalrous Ngaiterangi, and a strong mutual regard and admiration had grown up between the two races; hence, as the hour of battle drew nearer, none of the Imperial troops looked forward to it with eagerness and enthusiasm. Whether this feeling had any co-relation to the subsequent defeat I cannot say, but certain it is that the men had gloomy anticipations and all felt the deep seriousness and uncertainty of the adventure they were about to participate in. This being so, the greatest care was exercised by the General and staff in selecting the assaulting column, the details of which were known at least two days previously.
The Venerable Archdeacon Brown, a courtly, scholarly English gentleman, loyal to his Queen, yet deeply attached to his native flock, most of whom he had baptised and taught during thirty-five years of his incumbency, had a difficult role to fill. Yet his integrity and impartiality were never questioned, and he and his tenderhearted wife, in their beautiful home, exercised a noble influence over the young officers, as was evidenced by the many touching and grateful letters they received in after years when those young men had attained high rank and grown into war-worn warriors in other climes. It was my privilege to peruse these attributes of affection. The same gracious solicitude prompted the Archdeacon and
The last message sent in by the rebel leader was an intimation to the General that if nothing occurred he proposed to go into Te Papa for breakfast. Our attack was made the next day and the Maoris believed that this note hastened the climax. Rawiri Puhirake was experiencing the greatest difficulty in keeping his young men together during such a long period of inactivity.
How the Ngaiterangi repulsed the Pakeha at the Battle of
When
Of all the conflicts between Maori and Pakeha in the war days of the sixties, no engagement surpassed in thrilling interest the battle of
The heroic stand of Maniapoto, Ngatiraukawa and Urewera Maoris at Orakau, in the Upper Waikato, a few weeks previously, ended in the utter defeat of the valiant Kingites with a loss of more than half their number slain. The hostile attitude of the natives in the Bay of Plenty drew upon them the attention of the Imperial troops, and on the Pukehinahina Isthmus, a short distance from the pretty town of Tauranga, was fought the memorable battle of the
This is
The Warrior Speaks
“I was a young man of about twenty five when we fought the Pakeha at the
In the New Year many of our people had gone to assist the Waikato natives. We were waiting to be attacked by the Imperial Troops at Te Tiki-o-te Ihinga-Rangi, between Cambridge and Maungatautari, when news came that soldiers had been landed at Te Papa, Tauranga, so we hurried back across country to defend our own homes.
On arrival in our homeland we decided to fortify our pas and fight to the last against the pakeha. The majority of Ngaiterangi selected a strong old pa at Waoku at upper Waimapu, which we strengthened and there waited to be attacked. Other sections took up positions at Kaimai, Poripori, and Wairoa, etc., on the main roads leading from Tauranga to Waikato. My own people occupied Te Wairoa. There we were joined by two noted fighting men of the Whakatohea (Opotiki) tribe, named Tamaki and Te Poihipi. Meetings were held and a plan of action agreed upon.
We drew up a challenge in the form of a letter to the British General inviting him to meet us and fight it out. This letter was sent by a herald to the pakeha camp at Te Papa, and we waited a reply. All was excitement. The clansmen were busy preparing for
For some time we waited for a reply to our challenges, but none came. We considered it very discourteous of the English that they did not even acknowledge that letter. We could not understand them making no move of any sort. We became impatient and it was decided to attack the soldiers' camp at Te Papa. Our party started out one night and selected men from the other detachments who joined up at Kopurererua. Just as they were starting a gun accidentally exploded, wounding one of our men and giving the alarm, so we abandoned the attack and returned to our quarters.
Some days went by and at last we resolved to occupy and fortify a position on the ridge known as Pukehinahina, about three miles from the town of Tauranga. This place was called the
We crossed high up the Kopurererua and met the Hairini and Waoku detachments in rear of Pukehinahina. We reached the position about midnight, and started at once to build two pas. We trenched out one (the smaller of the two), on the western side of the ridge. This was built by the Pirirakau (bush denizens) and Ngaitamawhariua hapus of Ngaiterangi and the Koheriki people. Heta and from thirty to thirty-five men garrisoned it. The large pa on the eastern side of the ridge was garrisoned by about two hundred men of the Ngaiterangi. Our women were with us, working as hard as the men, carrying back loads of material for the defences and food for the warriors. We sent them away to safety before the fighting began. We were very short of wood for the stockade, so
The tall masted ships landed their men, stores and big guns on the beach; this work occupied two days. One vessel landed all her coal and stores at Horoipia, below the Narrows, and thus lightened, steamed up and anchored opposite Te Papa township. The white tents of the Queen's soldiers covered the foreshore, the bugle called to us on Pukehina ridge. One morning we were all out at the back of our fortification where the food was being cooked, waiting for our breakfast. One man, Poihipi (the Wakatohea Chief) remained in the redoubt as sentry. Suddenly, as our eyes ranged over the country towards Te Papa, we saw unusual activity in the soldiers' camp.
The warriors of the Queen, soldiers and sailors, were marshalled in array of battle, and then they advanced towards us. T'was an army that marched against our fort—a great body of infantry and a number of cannon. Anana! The hour was at hand.
“E Tama! When we gazed on these soldiers, how could we eat? Grandly did they march; strode they towards us as one man, with
again at Te Ranga where he was killed.
The British column came to within five or six hundred yards of our front, then most of the soldiers turned to the right on to Pukereia Hill, where they mounted their guns and pitched tents. One of the cannon (the 110lb. Armstrong) was planted in the middle of the road, right opposite our pa. Some of the soldiers came quite close to us, walking leisurely about smoking their pipes. This was on April 28th. Soon there was a flash and a roar and a shell from the big gun flew whistling like a “Kehua” (spirit) over our heads. Several other shots followed, and some rockets were fired at us without much effect. The troops in front made a sort of sham attack, while a large force (the 68th Regiment under Colonel Greer) deployed round by Ruatuna, guided by
One of the most remarkable incidents of the siege was the killing of both our tohunga. We had two men of prayer in our camp. One who was a Christian minister named Ihaka (Isaac), who fortified us with the rites of the pakeha religion. The other was a heathen priest, one
A few hours later our other tohunga was killed in a precisely similar manner. Te Wano was standing up in an elevated position exhorting us and reciting olden incantations when a cannon shot took him short and he parted from us.
The cannonade became heavier. An awful fire was concentrated on our redoubt. Eighteen big guns (so we learned afterwards) were hurling their projectiles at us and shells were bursting all round. Our fences and frail parapets crumbled away under the heavy artillery fire, and splinters and earth were continually flying through the air. We were every now and then smothered with the dirt thrown up by the exploding shells, and this the rain, which had set in, soon converted into mud. To add to our suffering, the troops who had crossed an arm of the Kopurererua swamp had, by dint of laying down planks and fascines, managed to get a big gun across, which they placed on a hill to our left and it completely raked our position. The troops in our rear (the 68th) began to close in on us. The chief,
Our position now seemed desperate. All our defences above ground had been demolished and levelled flat, while as we took shelter in our trenches, we were all more or less covered with mud and drenched with the rain. Our leaders, Rawiri, Tuaia, Hakaraia, Mahika, Timoti and Poihipi showed valiant front, directing our affairs with cool courage. They ordered us not to utter a word or fire a shot till the proper time came for the order.
A party of our people tried to break away through the troops in the rear. They were met by the 68th and fired on heavily. The chiefs,
The British assault on the Pa was delivered about four o'clock in the afternoon. The storming party, soldiers and sailors of the Naval Brigade and 43rd Regiment (in all about 300 men) rushed gallantly to the attack. Then we loosed our fire on them when they got well within range—still they charged on, with bayonets fixed and swords waving, cheering as they came. Through and over the breach walls they rushed; they entered the ruins of the larger pa; most of it was in their possession. But all at once the tide of war was changed. Up leaped our men from the rifle pits as if vomitted from the bowels of the earth, and together with those who had been forced back by the 68th Regiment in the rear, began a deadly hand to hand fight with the storming party. The defenders of the smaller pa held their position and raked the attackers with a heavy fire. Men fell thick and fast. Tomahawk clashed on cutlass and bayonet—tupara (double and single barrel fowling pieces) met rifle and pistol. Skulls were cloven—Maoris were bayoneted—Ngaiterangi patiti (hatchets) bit deep into white heads and shoulders. The place was soon full of dying and dead men, pakeha and Maori. We in the eastern position of the large pa stood firm. It was terrible work, but soon over. The pakehas were driven clean out of the pa; as they ran our men falling upon them. They fell back on their main body below our works, leaving many of their dead and wounded strewn on the battle ground.
The Maoris, though victorious, had suffered severely. My parent, Rawiri, fell with seven gunshot wounds. The troops suffered most from getting into a cross fire between the two pas, but particularly from the smaller one. The soldiers and sailors were all mixed up together and were equally brave.
I was amused at the coolness of one of our warriors in the thickest of the fight. He was a deeply tattooed old man of the past generation of toas (braves). He had six or seven bullets in his body, and being shot through both thighs was quite helpless. He was leaning against the remains of the parapet, had taken out his pipe and was wanting to have a consoling smoke, but could not find a light. So he kept calling out “Give me a light.” (“Homai te mati no toku paipa.”) He was not, as you may imagine, attended to, for everyone was fighting for dear life. Still his voice could be heard now and then above the tumult, especially when his excitement would over-master him and he would cry “Fight on, fight on, my hearties, give it to them.” With one breath he would ask for a light, and then with the next he would urge on the battling tribesmen. Such queer things are but the ways of war.
We adhered strictly to the terms of the battle-covenant, and harmed not the wounded nor interfered with the bodies of the dead. The British Colonel (Booth) fell mortally wounded, just inside the gateway, and there he lay all night. In the hours of darkness his voice could be heard calling for water. One of our people went and got some and ministered to his wants. It has been said that Te Ipu gave the dying soldier water, but he was badly wounded (foot smashed) and quite incapacitated. One of the Maoris took Colonel Booth's sword. Another wounded officer left behind after his men had retreated dropped his sword a little distance away. A Maori picked it up and went to restore it to the officer. The pakeha squared himself up as well as he could to meet his deathblow, but to his surprise the Maori turned the hilt toward him (the officer) and returned his weapon.
Ah! Those were glorious days. Every fighter was a rangatira, and one was proud to meet each other in battle. Whatever the reverses were to either side no bitter feelings were engendered to form any permanent hatred. We were all friends immediately there was no fighting.
In the night we collected arms, accoutrements and ammunition from the British dead. Then recognising that our defences no longer existed we abandoned the ruined pa under cover of darkness, retiring in good order and spirits. We crept quietly through the lines of the 68th at the rear. The soldiers kept firing on us, but none of us were killed, only a few wounded. I believe that some of the soldiers were accidentally killed by their own comrades. We retired to the Waoku pa and then dispersed to our various stations along the edge of the forest.
My younger relative Rerekaipuke took away a spy glass belonging to Captain Hamilton (mortally wounded in the fight), but on being himself wounded afterwards by the 68th he threw it away. Our firearms were only light double-barrelled and single-barrelled fowling pieces, and some flint muskets, and most of our powder was wet with rain or expended during the fight.
Our loss in the fight was about 25 men killed, including the following:—Petarika-Te-Reweti Manatini (taken next day to Te Papa, where he died), Eru Puhirake, Te Kani, Reka Tamatea, Ihaka, Te Wano, Te Rauhuhu, Tikuhu, Te Rangitau, Te Keni Te Wharepouri and Parawai. We Heti was both bayoneted and shot but got away, also Hone Taharangi and Te Moananui, the latter with gunshot wounds. Our leader, Rawiri, was killed at Te Ranga a few weeks afterwards. This is all.
End of Hostilities between Natives and Europeans in Tauranga District
After the
On June 21, 1864, information having been received that the rebels were entrenching at Te Ranga, about six miles inland, Colonel Greer ordered a reconnaissance, and moved out with six hundred men. He found the enemy so intent entrenching, and with such insufficient tools, that our force was allowed to come up quite close unmolested.
The position selected by the enemy was the narrowest portion between two gullies which ran up from the Waimapu waters on the left and the Kopurererua on the right, less than fifty yards wide, the ground falling steeply several hundred feet on either hand. By the time they were discovered the rebels had dug a shallow trench across the neck and along the edge of the gully in an easterly direction about sixty paces apart, and the troops by taking up a position on either flank of the enemy, were able to enfilade the trenches, which had the effect of bunching up their numbers in the centre, and impeding their hurried entrenching operations.
Colonel Greer immediately sent to Te Papa for reinforcements, and on the arrival of two hundred and twenty men and one gun, a heavy fire lasting two hours was opened. Major Shuttleworth repeatedly reporting that he could not restrain the men much longer, finally they were about to anticipate the bugle, when the charge was sounded, and they advanced with loud cheers, burning as they were to avenge their dead at the
The Maoris poured in one tremendous volley which caused only a few casualties, being, as usual, too high, and next moment, before they could reload, our men, with a wave of steel, swept over them, notwithstanding their desperate valour when clubbed rifle and bayonet met long-handled tomahawks. Only a few minutes elapsed from the bugle call until all was over, and with hardly an exception, all had died from bayonet wounds.
The very flower of Ngaiterangi and associated tribes had fallen with their faces to the invader, in full accord with the proud ancestral boast, “Me mate ahau mo te whenua”—”If I die let it be to die for the land.”
A small detachment of the Defence Force, under Captain A. C. Turner, pursued the fleeing enemy some distance, sabreing a number, but the deep bush gullies on either hand made effectual pursuit impossible.
Sixty-eight bodies lay in the shallow trenches alone. Truly they had dug their own graves. Their total loss was at least one hundred and forty killed, and thirty-seven wounded were taken prisoners.
Colonel Greer states that the Maoris made a most gallant stand, meeting the fierce bayonet charge without flinching, and only with great difficulty were they forced from the trenches at the bayonet point. A large force of rebels came to the assistance of their countrymen, but arrived too late.
There were many fierce personal encounters. Private
Our casualties were thirteen killed and thirty-nine officers and men wounded. Ten unwounded prisoners were captured. The gallant chief and leader, Rawiri Puhirake fell, and was subsequently re-interred in Otamataha Pa at Cemetery Point by the side of his adversary, Lieutenant-Colonel Booth—fitting tribute to a heroic and knightly foe, and only a measure of the general admiration exhibited by the British for their Ngaiterangi antagonists.
The Tauranga tribes soon afterwards surrendered, and the friendliest relations were re-established, and on the final peace-making, when Sir George Grey met the assembled Ngaiterangi tribe, he informed them that as an earnest appreciation of their chivalrous conduct of the war, the boundaries of the lands confiscated by proclamation—commencing north of the Katikati harbour at Ngakuri-a-whare extending easterly to Wairakei, mid-way between
An old chief of Ngaiterangi gratefully accepted this concession, and concluded his speech by a touching reference to their ancient sacred mountain “Kua whiti te ra ki tua aTawauwau,”-“the sun now shines over Mount Tawauwau.” This settlement was most honourably kept, though in '67 small wandering, disaffected parties of rebels' caused considerable intermittent fighting along the edge of the great forest, and on 4th February, 1870, a final action took place with
* * *
This completes the stories of the
On the Battle ofGate Pa
Sir,—It having been decided by Your Excellency and myself in consequence of information received from Colonel Greer, Commanding at Tauranga, that reinforcements should be sent to that station, detachments were embarked without delay in H.M. ships “Esk” and “Falcon” placed at my disposal by Commodore Sir
Having received information that by moving along the beach of one of the branches of the Tauranga harbour at low water, it was possible for a body of troops to pass outside the swamp on the enemy's right and gain the rear of his position, I ordered Colonel Greer to make the attempt with the 68th Regiment after dark on the evening of the 28th, and in order to divert the attention of the enemy from that side, I ordered a feigned attack to be made in his
The Memorial Church (Church of England) which stands on the site of the
Photograph by R. J. Smith A.R.P.S.Practically nothing remains to-day to mark the site of the engagement at Te Ranga. In an open field on the farm
of Mr W. Merrick the trenches lie covered. This view was taken from where the trenches evidently lie, on the edge
of a steep bank looking out in the direction in which the native survivors fled.
Photography by R. J. Smith. A.R.P.S.The entrance gates and old Mission bell still preserved at “The Elms” (the old Mission Station) at Tauranga.
An interesting story of this bell is to be found in “Recollections and Reflections of an Old New Zealander,” by
the late Mr E. Maxwell. Photograph by R. J. Smith. A.R.P.S.Surrender of Arms by the Natives to Colonel Greer after the engagement at Te Ranga on June 21st, 1861. From
a sketch by
I enclose Colonel Greer's report of his proceedings.
During the same night the guns and mortars were placed in position and opened fire soon after daybreak on the morning of the 29th. I gave directions that their fire should be directed principally against the left angle of the centre work, which, from the nature of the ground, I considered the most favourable part to attack. Their practice was excellent, particularly that of the howitzers, and reflects great credit on the officers in command of batteries.
About 12 o'clock, a swamp on the enemy's left having been reported by Colonel Greaves, Deputy-Assistant Quarter-Master General, practicable for the passage of a gun, a six-pounder Armstrong gun was taken across to the high ground on the opposite side from which its fire completely enfiladed the left of the enemy's position, which he was thus compelled to abandon. The fire of the guns, howitzers and mortars was continued with short intermissions until 4 p.m., when a large portion of the fence and pallisading having been destroyed, and a practicable breach made in the parapet, I ordered the assault. One hundred and fifty seamen and marines under Commander Hay, H.M.S. “Harrier,” and an equal number of the 43rd Regiment, under Lieut-Colonel Booth, formed the assaulting party. Major Ryan's detachment was extended as close to the work as possible to keep down the fire from the rifle pits with orders to follow the assaulting column into the work. The remainder of the seamen and marines, and of the 43rd Regiment, amounting altogether to 300 men, followed as a reserve.
The assaulting column, protected by the nature of the ground, gained the breach with little loss, and effected an entrance into the main body of the work, when a fierce conflict ensued, in which the natives fought with the greatest desperation.
Lieut-Colonel Booth and Commander Hay, who led into the work, both fell mortally wounded. Captain Hamilton was shot dead on the top of the parapet while in the act of encouraging his men to advance, and in a few minutes almost every officer of the column was either killed or wounded. Up to this moment, the men, so nobly led by their officers, fought gallantly and appeared to have carried the position, when they suddenly gave way, and fell back from the work to the nearest cover.
This repulse I am at a loss to explain otherwise than by attributing it to the confusion created among the men by the intricate nature of the interior defences, and the sudden fall of so many of their officers.
On my arrival at the spot I considered it inadvisable to renew the assault, and directed a line of entrenchment to be thrown up within one hundred yards of the work so as to be able to maintain our advance position, intending to resume operations the following morning.
The natives, availing themselves of the extreme darkness of the night, abandoned the work, leaving some of their killed and wounded behind.
On taking possession of the work in the morning, Lieut-Colonel Booth and some men were found still living, and, to the credit of the natives, had not been maltreated, nor had any of the bodies of the dead been mutilated. I enclose a list of our casualties.
I deeply regret the loss of the many brave and valuable officers who fell in the noble discharge of their duty on this occasion.
The 43rd Regiment, and the service, have sustained a serious loss in the death of Lieut-Colonel Booth, which took place on the night after the attack. I have already mentioned the brilliant exmple shown by this officer in the assault, and when I met him on the following morning as he was being carried out of the work, his first words were an expression of regret that he had found it impossible to carry out my orders.
The heroism and devotion of Captain Hamilton and Commander Hay, reflect the highest honour on the naval service.
The loss of the enemy must have been very heavy although not more than twenty bodies and those wounded were found in and about their position. It is admitted by the prisoners that they carried off a large number of killed and wounded during the night, and they also suffered in attempting to make their escape as described in Colonel Greer's report.
In my reports to His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief, and the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for War, I have brought to their favourable notice the names of the officers who particularly distinguished themselves on this occasion.
Commodore Sir
Lieutenant-General.
I have the honour to state for the information of the Lieut.General Commanding that in compliance with his instructions I marched out of Camp with the 68th Light Infantry, carrying one day's cooked rations, and a greatcoat each, on the 28th instant, at a quarter to 7 o'clock p.m., my object being to get in rear of the enemy's position by means of a flank march round their right. To accomplish this it was necessary to cross a mud flat at the head of a bay about three-quarters of a mile long, only passable at low water, and then nearly knee deep, and within musketry range of the shore, in possession of the enemy—rough high ground, covered with ti-tree and fern.
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At the point at which I got off the mud flat there is a swamp about 100 yards broad, covered with ti-tree about 5ft. high, on the opposite side of which the end of a spur—which runs down from high ground in rear of the pa—rises abruptly. This was also covered with heavy fern and ti-tree.
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It being of the first importance that these movements should be accomplished without attracting the attention of the enemy, my instructions were to gain the top of the spur alluded to during the darkness, and to remain there until there should be sufficient light to move on.
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The regiment was all across, lying down in line across the crest of the ridge, with picquets posted around them, at 10 o'clock, which was two hours before the moon rose. I beg here to state that to the well-timed feint attack made by the Lieut-General Commanding on the front of the enemy's pa, I consider myself indebted for having been enabled to accomplish this, the most difficult part of the march, without being attacked at a great disadvantage, and exposing the movement to the enemy; for when we reached the top of the ridge, the remains of their picquet fires were discovered, the picquets having no doubt retired to assist in the defence of the pa.
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About half-past 1 a.m. I advanced, and at 3 o'clock I reached a position about 1000 yards directly in rear of the pa. I was guided in selecting this position by hearing the Maoris talking in their pa, and the sentries challenging in our headquarters camp. It was dark and raining at the time.
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I immediately sent Major Shuttleworth forward with three companies to take a position on the left rear of the pa, and I placed picquets round the remainder of the rear, about 700 yards distant from it.
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At daybreak I despatched three companies to the right under command of Major Kirby and posted a chain of sentries so that no one could come out of the pa without being seen. Up to this time the enemy did not appear to be aware that they were surrounded; they were singing and making speeches in the pa. Later in the morning Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, C.B., Deputy Quarter-Master General, visited my post, having an escort with him of thirty men of the Naval Brigade under Lieut. Hotham, R.N., and seeing that I wanted a reinforcement on my right, he left his escort with me, and I received valuable assistance from that excellent officer and his party. About the same time Major Shuttleworth moved more to his left and closer to the pa.
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These positions were not altered during the bombardment, except temporarily, when the Maoris showed a disposition to come out at one or other flank, or when it was necessary to move a little from a position getting more than its share of the splinters of shell which kept falling about all day during the bombardment.
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When the bombardment ceased, and the signal of a rocket let me know that the assault was about being made, I moved up close round the rear of the pa in such a position that the Maoris could not come out without being met by a strong force.
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About 5 o'clock p.m. the Maoris made a determined rush from the right rear of their pa. I met them with three companies, and after a skirmish, drove the main body back into the pa; about twenty got past my right, but they received a flank fire from Lieut. Cox's party (68th 60 men) and Lieut. Hotham's (30 men) Naval Brigade, and sixteen of the Maoris were seen to fall; a number of men pursued the remainder. By the time I had collected the men again and posted them it was very dark. My force available on the right was quite inadequate to cover the ground in such a manner as to prevent the Maoris escaping during the night; in fact I consider that on such a wet dark night as that was nothing but a close chain of sentries strongly supported round the whole rear and flanks could have kept the Maoris in, and to do that a much stronger force than I had would have been necessary.
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During the night the Maoris made their escape. I think that, taking advantage of the darkness, they crept away in small parties; for during the night every post saw or heard some of them escaping and fired volleys at them. The Maoris, careful not to expose themselves, never returned a shot during the night, but there were occasional shots fired from the pa, no doubt to deceive us as to their having left it.
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I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the 68th during the march on Thursday night; it was performed with the most complete silence and regularity. I have also the greatest pleasure in being able to state that during the whole of their fatiguing duty
they were always ready to obey cheerfully any order they received, and after dark it was most difficult to move about from the way in which the ground in the rear was swept by the musketry in front. -
I am much indebted to the officers and non-commissioned officers for the active intelligence and zeal with which they performed their duty. I beg to mention particularly Major Shuttleworth, 68th Light Infantry, who, with the guide and six men, went feeling the way to the front during the night march, and afterwards commanded on the left, repelling several attempts of the Maoris to get away in that direction.
Captain Trent, 68th Light Infantry, who with his company formed the advance guard during the night march, and performed that duty with much intelligence, and was afterwards engaged on the left, where he enfiladed a rifle pit, and in the front covering a working party.
Lieut. Cox, 68th, who occupied with judgment and good effect an important position on my right, where he enfiladed a rifle pit, and quite shut up what appeared the principal point of egress from the pit.
Lieut. Hotham, Royal Navy, who was with a party of the Naval Brigade at the same post with Lieut. Cox.
To Lieut. and Adjutant Covey, 68th Light Infantry, Field Adjutant, I am on this occasion, as on every other where duty is concerned, much indebted for the zeal and intelligence with which he has assisted me in seeing my orders carried out. During the whole time he was constantly on the alert, and active wherever he was required. To all I owe my best thanks.
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I wish to bring to particular notice the admirable manner in which the regiment was guided by Mr Purvis, who volunteered to act as guide on the occasion. He went to the front with Major Shutteleworth and six men, and without hesitating or making a mistake, brought him straight to the position I was to occupy.
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The whole of the 68th Regiment was back in camp at 4 p.m. yesterday. The Casualties are as follows:—
Killed— Sergeant, 68th Light Infantry.
Wounded—16 Privates Infantry.
Col. and Lieut.-Col. 68th L.I.,
Commanding Field Force,
Camp Puke Wharangi.
Reports on the Engagement at Te Ranga
Sir,—I have great satisfaction in forwarding to Your Excellency the enclosed account of an engagement between the troops, under the command of Colonel Greer, 68th Regiment, and the rebels at Tauranga, in which the latter were defeated with great loss.
Our own loss was small, considering the number engaged, the heavy fire to which they were exposed in advancing to the attack, and the resistance made by the enemy in their rifle pits.
This very successful action reflects the greatest credit upon Colonel Greer and the troops under his command, who fought with the greatest gallantry.
Sir,—I have the honour to report for the information of the Lieutenant-General Commanding that I marched out of Camp with a force as per margin. (3 Field Officers, 9 Captains, 14 Subalterns, 24 Sergeants, 13 Buglers, 531 Rank and file) this morning at 8 a.m.
I found a large force of Maoris (about 600) entrenching themselves about four miles beyond Pukehinahina. They had made a single line of rifle pits of the usual form across the road in a position exactly similar to Pukehinahina—the commencement of a formidable pa. Having driven in some skirmishers they had thrown out I extended the 43rd and a portion of the 68th in their front and on the flanks as far as practicable, and kept up a sharp fire for about two hours, while I sent back for re-inforcements as per margin (1 gun, 220 men). As soon as they were sufficiently near in order to support I sounded the advance, when the 43rd., 68th. and First Waikato Militia charged and carried the rifle pits in the most dashing manner, under a tremendous fire, but which was for the most part too high.
For a few minutes the Maoris fought desperately when they were utterly routed. Sixty-eight were killed in the rifle pits. The position was a very favourable one for their retreat; otherwise few could have escaped. The advance force pursued them several miles,
The 43rd. was under the command of Major Synge (whose horse was shot); the 68th. under Major Shuttleworth, the First Waikato Militia under Captain Moore, and they each led their men well.
It is impossible for me in this hurried report to do justice. I will therefore have the pleasure in a subsequent report to bring those to your notice who more particularly distinguished themselves.
I marched the men back to camp this morning.
107 Maoris were found and carried up to the rifle pits, and we have brought in 27 wounded, all severely, and 10 prisoners. Many more must have been killed in the ravines, whom we did not find.
I enclose a report which shows that a large number of Chiefs have been killed, including Rawiri. I am happy to say our casualties have been comparatively small.
I enclose a report of the killed and wounded.
I must not conclude without remarking on the gallant stand made by the Maoris at the rifle pits; they stood the charge without flinching, and did not retire until forced out at the point of the bayonet.
The name of the position which the Maoris occupied is “Te Ranga.”
I have thought this of sufficient importance to request Captain Phillimore to take my report up in the “Esk.”
Colonel Commanding Tauranga District.
Memorandum
The casualties among the rebels in the engagement fought this day at Te Ranga were:—
Among the former are Rawiri Tuaia, a principal King or Chief of Tauranga, and the Leader of the rebels at
Among the wounded is Te Tera of the Ngaiterangi, Tauranga, and among the prisoners Ihaia Motuiti of Te Arawa, Potoma, claiming to be a chief of rank.
It will be seen that a severe blow has been given to the rebel forces at Tauranga, nearly the whole of their leaders being killed, and I do not think there are any men left of sufficient energy or influence to carry on the war among the Ngaiterangi (Tauranga) tribe.
Sir,—I have the honour to forward for Your Excellency's information a second and more detailed report from Colonel Greer of the recent action at Tauranga.
The valour and discipline of the troops, and the ability of their Commander, were conspicuously displayed on this occasion, and the 43rd and 68th Light Infantry, on whom the brunt of the engagement fell, behaved in a manner worthy of the high reputation of these distinguished regiments. The conduct of the Colonial Forces also reflects the greatest credit upon them. The enemy appear to have fought with the most determined courage.
Lieut.-General.
I have the honour to state for the information of the Lieut.General Commanding in New Zealand that I have little to add to the report which I sent in on the 21st inst. relative to the engagement at Te Ranga beyond bringing to his notice those who more particularly distinguished themselves.
About 10.30 o'clock the troops were so disposed in front and on both flanks that retreat without heavy loss seemed impossible for the Maoris.
About 12.30 o'clock, having reinforced the skirmishers (with two companies of the 68th) and cautioned the men to reserve their fire (which they did in the most steady manner), the advance was sounded, and the men moved as if on parade. To the dash, determination and steadiness with which the attack was made the success which followed is due.
From the fact that the attack was made in Light Infantry order, and from the Maoris having waited for the charge and made a desperate hand-to-hand resistance, more opportunity was offered of showing individual gallantry than might occur in much more extensive operations; but the attack was so simultaneous, and all did their duty so well, it is difficult to make selections. I beg, however, to bring the following to the favourable notice of the Lieut.-General Commanding.
Major Synge, 43rd Light Infantry, commanding the line of skirmishers, who had his horse shot under him in two places when close to the rifle pits.
Major Colville, 43rd Light Infantry, who gallantly led the left of the line of skirmishers into the rifle pits, being one of the first in.
Major Shuttleworth, 68th Light Infantry, who commanded the support, consisting of the 68th Light Infantry and the 1st Waikato Militia, and brought them up in the most soldier-like manner, and rushed on the pits at the critical moment.
Captain Trent, Acting Field Officer, 68th Light Infantry, who fell severely wounded when leading two companies of the 68th into the left of the rifle pits, and continued cheering on the men until the pits were taken.
Captain Smith, 43rd Light Infantry, who is reported to have been first into the right of the line of rifle pits, and whose gallant conduct was so conspicuous. I have forwarded evidence with a view to his being recommended for the Victoria Cross. He was wounded severely in two places.
Captain Seymour, 68th Light Infantry, who took Captain Trent's place when that officer fell, and led into the left of the rifle pits in the most gallant manner.
Lieutenant Stuart, 68th Light Infantry, who was one of the first into the left line of rifle pits, and had a personal conflict with a Maori armed with an Enfield rifle and bayonet, and by him he was slightly bayonet-wounded, but succeeded in cutting him down with his sword.
Captain the Honorable
Captain Moore, who commanded the 1st. Waikato Militia, and led his men up to the rifle pits and shared in the assault.
Lieutenant Acting Adjutant Hammick, 43rd Light Infantry, who performed his duty with great coolness and courage under a heavy fire.
Lieut.-Grubb, R.A., whose coolness and excellent practice with the six-pounder Armstrong under his command when under fire during the action and subsequently on the retreating Maoris when they had got beyond the reach of the Infantry, was admirable.
Surgeon-Major Best, 68th Light Infantry, principal medical officer, who performed his duty assiduously under fire, paying the greatest attention and care to the wounded.
I can say the same of Assistant Surgeons Henry, 43rd; Applin, 68th; and O'Connell, Staff; the former was particularly brought to my notice by Major Synge, commanding the 43rd L.I.
Lieutenant and Adjutant Covey, 68th Light Infantry, FieldAdjutant, and Ensign Palmer, 68th L.I., acting as my Orderly Officer, who performed their duty coolly and gallantly, affording me valuable assistance. Lieutenant Covey having been sent a message by me to Major Shuttleworth, when he was on the point of attack, went with the supports, and was dragged into a rifle pit by a Maori, who thrust a spear through his clothes. Ensign Palmer was struck in the neck by a musket bullet and knocked from his horse insensible when riding beside me; when he recovered and had his wound dressed he performed his duty during the rest of the day.
Sergeant-Major Tudor, 68th L.I., who went in front and distinguished himself in several personal conflicts with the enemy in the rifle pits.
Sergeant-Major Daniels, 43rd L.I., and Acting-Sergeant-Major Lilley (70th Regiment) of the 1st Waikato Militia, who also distinguished themselves by their coolness and courage.
No. 2918 Sergeant Murray, 68th L.I., whose gallantry and prowess were so distinguished I have thought the matter worthy of being recommended for the Victoria Cross, and have with that view forwarded evidence.
No. 2832 Corporal J. Byrne, V.C., 68th Light Infantry, who, when the order to charge was given, was the first man of his company into the rifle pits. A Maori, whom he transfixed with his bayonet, seized his rifle with one hand, and holding it firm, with the bayonet through him, endeavoured to cut him down with his tomahawk. His life was saved by Sergeant Murray.
No. 3641,
I beg to add that during the engagement several reports were forwarded to me stating that a large body of natives were coming down by the Wairoa to attack the camp at Te Papa at low water, the information having been given by friendly natives. Low water on that day was at half-past three o'clock. I was back in camp about half-past two o'clock and artillery, Mounted Defence Force and reinforcements of infantry were following me. I, however, found that every necessary arrangement had been made by Lieut.Colonel Harington, 1st Waikato Militia, who was in command at the Camp during my absence.
I beg to bring to the notice of the Lieut.-General Commanding the readiness with which Captain Phillimore, H.M.S. “Esk,” and the Senior Naval Officer at this station, and Commander Swan, H.M.S. “Harrier,” responded to my request (which I sent immediately on finding the Maoris) that they would lend all their available force for the protection of the Camp.
I have since learned that the report of the natives coming down to take Te Papa was true, but that the result of the affair at Te Ranga disarranged their plans.
For nearly an hour previous to the assault I had seen a Maori reinforcement coming down from the woods, yelling and firing their guns, and when the advance was sounded they were not more than 500 yards from the rifle pits.
I beg further to add that while in command here I have only endeavoured to carry out the instructions given me by the Lieut.General Commanding and if I have had any success it is to the foresight of those instructions, and to the good discipline and courage of the troops under my command, it is to be attributed.
On Wednesday morning last (22nd inst.) I sent a strong patrol under Major Colville, 43rd L.I., to bury the dead and fill in the rifle pits. 108 Maoris were buried in the rifle pits which they had themselves dug the morning before. The patrol returned the same afternoon without having seen anything further of the hostile natives, nor have any been since observed in the neighbourhood.
In addition to the number buried in the rifle pits, fifteen of the wounded prisoners have died since they were brought in. I am sending up 8 wounded and 11 unwounded prisoners by the Alexandra, and nine are detained for treatment in the hospital at this station, making a total of 151 Maoris accounted for. Enclosed are lists of the arms captured from the enemy and handed over to the Military Store Department, and returns of the killed and wounded of the Forces under my command.
Colonel Commanding Tauranga District.
Nominal Roll of Killed and Wounded atGate Pa , Tauranga, N.Z., April 29, 1864
Surgeon, H.M.S. Miranda.
Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, Principal Medical Officer.
Nominal Roll of Killed and Wounded at Te Ranga, N.Z., June 21, 1864
43rd Corps
Ministerial Reasons for sending Troops to Tauranga.
The following Correspondence relates to the sending of an Expedition to Tauranga prior to the battle of
Memorandum by Ministers to His Excellency the Governor, as to sending an Expedition to Tauranga:—
Ministers have carefully considered the subject of the expedition to Tauranga and have come to a clear conclusion. In their opinion the expedition should go, and that without delay. The grounds of Ministers' opinions are these:—
1. The General is of opinion that in a military point of view, he would derive considerable advantage from the diversion—and great deference is due to this opinion.
2. There is no doubt that Tauranga has been the route for all the disaffected natives from the East Coast to go and return from the war in Waikato. It was used for the same purpose during the war at Taranaki in 1860–61.
3. All the natives of the west side of the harbour are decided enemies, have been to the war, are there now, or are prepared to go.
4. There are large crops there, just ready for gathering in, upon which the Waikato rebels depend, especially on some plantations a short distance in the bush at the back of the harbour.
5. In 1860 the principal store house of gunpowder was at the back of Tauranga, and the supplies taken to it were taken through the harbour. During the present war it has been the route by which both munitions of war and food have been taken to the Waikato.
6. To stop this route would be a serious blow to the enemy, and would assure and encourage our friends. It would not raise additional enemies, but rather the reverse. In this point of view, advantage rather than disadvantage would result.
Ministers think there should be no delay for the following reasons:—
(a) It has become publicly known that such an expedition is in contemplation—to delay now would be considered a proof of weakness, and encourage the enemy, and operate injudicially on the undecided.
(b) On Friday last a vessel was sent to Tauranga (a regular trader there so as not to create suspicion), with a view to take on board Archdeacon Brown, and the few European inhabitants who live near, as the natives, knowing the value of Tauranga to themselves, have declared their intention, if that part be interfered with by the Government, of destroying the Mission Station; and on finding the Europeans have left, or on hearing that an expedition is intended, they may proceed to carry that threat into execution. Apart from loss of property, it would be a misfortune if the Mission buildings were destroyed, as they would afford accommodation for about 500 men. It would therefore be highly desirable that the expedition should proceed at once, if at all, in order that the first information the natives should receive of it would be that the troops are on their way to take possession of the Mission Station.
Ministers are of opinion that 500 or 600 men are fully sufficient for all that can be done at Tauranga. Without further orders the troops should not go to the east side of the harbour at all: None of the natives from there, as far as is known, have gone to the war, and many are decidedly our friends. The expedition should take possession of the Mission Station and all the crops on the west side, stop the Waikato Road, and prevent communication across the harbour, the object being, not to open new ground, but to cooperate with the General, by creating a diversion in his favour.
The natives of
In expressing these views, Ministers trust they will be coincided in by His Excellency, as however strong their own opinions may be on the subject, they desire to pay great deference to His Excellency's knowledge, and experience, in native matters, and would be most unwilling to urge forward the proposed expedition if the Governor feels there is any reason to apprehend unfavourable results, or that it would prejudicially affect his contemplated plans. With
Memorandum from His Excellency the Governor concurring in the Proposed Expedition:—
Ministers having expressed it as their clear conclusion after weighing all the circumstances of the case that the proposed expedition should go to Tauranga, and that without any delay, the Governor feels that under the present form of Government, he ought to issue the necessary orders for its departure, so soon as the preparations now, and for some days, in progress have been completed, and he will at once issue these orders.
The Governor has thus yielded to the opinion of Ministers with some reluctance, and he still thinks that the understanding on which the expedition proceeds to Tauranga, should be that it is only of a temporary character, and that it can at any moment be withdrawn, if the safety of the southern settlements, or any other urgent cause, renders such a course desirable.
Memorandum by Ministers to His Excellency the Governor:—
Ministers quite concur wth His Excellency that the expedition should proceed to Tauranga, on the understanding that it can at any moment be withdrawn if the safety of the Southern Settlements, or any other urgent cause renders such a course desirable.
Memorandum by Ministers as to instructions to be given to the Tauranga Expedition:—
(1) That he (Colonel Carey) will, if possible, arrive at the Mouth of the Harbour of Tauranga at day dawn, and proceed, with the least possible delay, to take possession of the Mission Station, so as to prevent its threatened destruction by the natives.
(2) Hitherto the natives on the East side of the Harbour have not joined in the war, but recent information is to the effect that many of them are about to do so. In the meantime, however, until further orders, the East side of the Harbour, as regards both men and property, should not be interfered with.
(3) The crops and cattle, and other property of the natives on the West side should be taken possession of, and the crops gathered in.
(4) The Mission Station should be preserved from injury as much as possible.
Sir,—I have the honour to forward, for the information of His Excellency's Government, copy of a letter addressed by me this day to Col. Carey, the officer commanding H.M. Forces at Tauranga.
On my arrived here this afternoon, I waited upon Col. Carey, and learnt from him that his instructions were to regard all natives living on the West side of Tauranga Harbour as rebels—to take their cattle, and destroy or gather their crops. As I believe that the carrying out of these instructions would be productive of results which I cannot suppose to be contemplated by the Government, I have felt it my duty to state my opinion on the subject; more especially as I have already despatched circular letters throughout this District, assuring the natives in the words of your Memoranda forwarded to me at
I have to report that the news of the arrival of the expedition at Tauranga, appears to have caused much satisfaction at
Copy of letter from Mr T. H. Smith, Civil Commissioner, to Colonel Carey.
Sir,—Referring to the subject of our conversation to-day, I take the liberty of repeating, in an official communication, the opinion I then expressed as to the probable result of treating all natives residing on the Western side of Tauranga Harbour as rebels, and proceeding to take their cattle, and destroy their crops.
I am satisfied that any such indiscriminate seizure, and destruction of property, would inflict injury upon many innocent persons, and that its effect would be to increase the number of the disaffected, to precipitate hostilities here, and to induce other tribes to take up arms, who might otherwise remain quiet.
I am of opinion that the occupation of Tauranga by Her Majesty's Forces will have a salutary effect upon the resident natives, and upon the tribes living on the coast between this and the East Cape, who may thus be deterred from attempting to reinforce the insurgents at Waikato, if it is understood that a force has been stationed here for the purpose of intercepting armed parties proceeding by this route. Should, however, a collision occur here arising out of any act which would be regarded as an aggression upon persons who are not, and have not been in arms against the Government, it is probable that many tribes now professing neutrality, would rise, and make common cause against the Government. Though true that the majority of the natives on the Western side of Tauranga sympathise with Waikato, and that many of them have joined the insurgents, yet there are very many individuals, and more than one considerable section of a tribe who have not committed themselves. To attempt to ascertain correctly, what property belonged to rebels, and what to persons not implicated in
Civil Commissioner,
Bay of Plenty.
Minutes by Mr Fox and Mr Whitaker, with statements by John Faulkner and Daniel Sellars, as to disposition of Tauranga natives.
Mr T. H. Smith, Civil Commissioner, Bay of Plenty, told me about a fortnight ago in the presence of Mr Whitaker that all the natives of that district North of Tauranga might be considered as King natives—that they are in fact Wm. Thompson's people—and more or less implicated in this war. That most of them to the South of Tauranga have hitherto been loyal and kept out of the war. Mr Edward Clark, a settler at Tauranga, is assured that Rawiti, a leading chief of the southern natives, is now about to join the rebels with his people. He has openly said he would, and was lately met by Mr Clark with some of the leading Kingites, and seemed ashamed of being found in their company. The Mayor Island or Flat Island natives had gone to the war. W. Thompson has lately had emissaries in the Bay of Plenty, stirring up the natives there to join him with reinforcements. Archdeacon Brown does not think he will get much support, except from those who have been in Waikato already, and the Mayor and Flat Islanders who now join for the first time.
From conversation with Mr Smith, Mr Clark and Mr Faulkner, I had come to the conclusion that all the natives on the Auckland side of Tauranga Harbour are engaged in the rebellion, and that they are connected with Wm. Thompson—in fact part of his people —and that they have for the most part been engaged in active hostilities.
John Faulkner, of Tauranga, said:—
“I have been in New Zealand thirty-one years. I married a native of New Zealand. I have recently come from Tauranga because it is not safe to stay there. The Tauranga natives are divided into two parties. Those on the East side of the harbour have not gone to the war. They are divided in opinion; part want to go to the war and part to remain at home. Those on the West side have all gone to the war, every man except the old men. They are connected with Thompson. He has a sort of hold on them. A part of the natives have been planting in the forest as a standby, expecting something would be done at Tauranga by the Government.”
Daniel Sellars said:—
“I have been trading to Tauranga these last twelve years. I came up from there about a week ago. The natives on the West side of the harbour are all King natives. There is not a village that has not sent its contingent to the war. When I was there a week ago many were going, and many were there already. A few were left to cut the crops.”
Copy of a letter from the Native Secretary to Mr T. H. Smith:—
Sir,—1. I am directed by the Colonial-Secretary to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated January 22 covering copy of one addressed by you to Colonel Carey.
2. The Colonial Secretary desires me to state that it was not the intention of the Government that the information conveyed to Mr Baker in his instructions should have been communicated by you to the natives by circular as you report yourself to have done. Had the Government desired any such steps to have been taken they would not have failed to instruct you to do it, and they cannot help remarking that should it be found necessary for Colonel Carey to take any aggressive measures against those natives of the Bay of Plenty district, who are actively engaged in the rebellion, or aiding and abetting it, the step taken by you must place both the Government and yourself in a very false position towards the natives to whom you have conveyed an assurance that no such step should be taken. As you have acted entirely without instructions, the responsibility of your act must rest solely with yourself.
3. I am directed also to express the surprise of the Government at the information contained in your letter under notice, and in that addressed by you to Colonel Carey, in whch you state that there are
4. As the tenor of your letters to the Colonial-Secretary and to Colonel Carey most materially differ from your previous oral statement, it becomes of the utmost importance that the Government should have immediate and accurate information on the subject. You will be so good therefore as to ascertain as accurately as you possibly can, and inform the Colonial-Secretary what particular hapus, or proportion of hapus, or the population of what particular kaingas have been actively engaged in the war, have hoisted the King flag at their places, or otherwise given distinct indications of their complicity in the rebellion, and also what hapus or villages may be considered quite free from all open participation in the rebellion. You will also communicate such information to Colonel Carey, so that he may not be paralyzed by the vague information you have given to him, in case he should consider it his duty to take active operations against supposed rebel natives on the West side of the Bay.
5. The Government will be glad to receive any explanation you may have to offer of the discrepancy which exists between the statement contained in your letter referred to and that made to the Government when in Auckland.
(Sgd.)
Native Secretary.
Native Department,
Auckland
Copy of letter, His Excellency the Governor to T. H. Smith:—
I wish to mention that Colonel Carey sent me a copy of your letter to him regarding the error I had fallen into in issuing such instructions as I did for treating all the natives on the Western side of the harbour of Tauranga as enemies, seizing their crops, cattle, etc. I feel very much obliged to you for the fearless and honourable way in which you did your duty on this occasion, thereby preventing me from being the cause of bringing much misery upon many innocent people.
(Sgd.)
I have the honour to reply to your note of yesterday, in which you request my opinion in writing as to the extent to which the Maoris on the West (or Auckland) side of the Bay of Tauranga are committed to the rebellion, and what may be regarded the geographical division between the hostile and friendly tribes.
For more than three years the greater part of the Tauranga natives have avowed their adhesion to the King movement, and in and since the month of August last, many from the west and the south, and some from the east of the Bay, joined the Waikato tribes in hostilities against Her Majesty's Government.
The Maoris occupying the east side of the Bay, Ohuki, and also a party residing at Maungatapu, the south-east side, have not, with few exceptions, risen in rebellion, but at a large meeting held on 28th December last, the voice in favour of the rebellion appears to have been general. Rawiti, who has been a staunch Kingite for several years, but has been ostensibly neutral of late, proposed to the meeting alluded to “that the wheat harvest should first be gathered in, and that then he would join and make common cause with the Waikato.”
My opinion is that a very inconsiderable portion of Tauranga has been untainted by the rebellion, the exception applies only to those on the east and south-east side of the Bay.
It is not improbable that had not the troops been sent to occupy a position in Tauranga, many who have been neutral, if not friendly, would have been induced, or coerced, to join the rebels.
Note.—The writer is the Rev. C. Baker, missionary of the Church of England, for many years, and till quite recently, a resident of Tauranga, and thoroughly acquainted with the natives there.
Copy of a letter from His Excellency the Governor to Colonel Carey:—
Sir,—In reply to your letter of the 23rd inst., pointing out certain difficulties which might arise in carding out the instructions contained in my letter of the 20th inst., I have the honour to express my thanks to you for the discretion with which you have acted in this matter, by delaying, after the facts the Civil Commissioner brought to your knowledge, to act on those instructions until I had an opportunity of again communicating with you.
I have now the honour to request that until otherwise instructed you will not adopt any aggressive movement aganst any natives, and that you will not seize the cattle or destroy the crops of any natives whom you are not satisfied are open enemies, but at the same time you should, if possible, intercept all armed parties passing by the Tauranga route to aid the natives now in arms against us in the interior districts.
(Sgd.)
Auckland
Memorandum by Ministers to His Excellency the Governor:—
His Excellency having requested Ministers to advise him whether any reduction should be made in the Tauranga force for the purpose of carrying out the wishes of General Cameron, to have a reinforcement towards the front, Ministers are of opinion that His Excellency, having already ordered such reinforcements to be provided from the Auckland Militia, and other sourees, it is not now necessary to recall any part of the Tauranga force, more particularly after the receipt of the news per ‘Corio’ this day from Tauranga.
His Excellency having also requested Mnisters to advise whether any Proclamation should be issued assuring friendly natives at Tauranga that they and their crops will not be interfered with, beg to enclose a notice to that effect, which, if His Excellency approves, shall be immediately translated for transmission.
Memorandum by Ministers to His Excellency the Governor:—
Ministers are of opinion that Colonel Carey should be instructed not to take any offensive measures at present, unless to stop war parties going to Waikato. If any such parties arrive by the East Coast, or collect in the district in positions where they can be successfully dealt with, he should stop them by force, otherwise for the present, merely to hold his position on the defensive.
Sir,—I have the honour to forward herewith, the information required by the Government, as to the natives of this place, who have hitherto implicated themselves in the rebellion.
The enclosed sketch and return have been carefully perpared, and may be relied on as containing correct information on the points referred to in Mr Shortland's letter of 25th ulto.
I received Mr Shortland's letter at Rotorua, where I had to attend several important meetings of natives. On its receipt I lost no time in coming over here for the purpose of obtaining accurate information on the points referred to, and communicating it to Colonel Carey.
I have to express regret that I have mis-interpreted the wishes of the Government, with reference to the information communicated to me by Mr Baker in accordance with his instructions. Having when in Auckland represented to the Government the importance of stating distinctly to the natives in this district, the intentions of the Government, before even sending a man-o'-war down to Tauranga, and having received no other intimation whatever from the Government, with reference to the object of the Tauranga expedition, I certainly supposed that the information which Mr Baker was instructed to communicate to me “immediately on arrival” was intended to be circulated in the district.
As Agent of the Government here, I am supposed to be informed as to the objects, and intentions of the Government in matters affecting the district under my charge, and in a matter of such importance as the military occupation of a portion of it, it would not be believed by the natives that I was without such information. I had then the alternative of remaining silent, or of giving such information as had been furnished to me by the Government. Had I chosen the former it would have increased in a ten-fold degree, the suspicion which already exists in consequence of the sending of
Without presuming to dictate to the Government on the subject, I beg respectfully to state my opinion that any false position in which the Government or its officer may now stand would have been avoided by placing that officer in a position to state plainly, to those who looked to him for such information, what the intentions of the Government were in sending troops into the district.
As regards the assurance given by me in the circular letter referred to in Mr Shortland's communication, I have to state that the circular was not sent to any tribes in the Bay of Plenty district who are actively engaged in the rebellion, or are known to be aiding or abetting it. It was sent to the Arawa and Ngatiawa tribes, and my object was to counteract the effect which I feared might be produced among the latter—at Te Matata and Whakatane—by the news of the arrival of troops, reaching them unaccompanied by any explanation from Government.
When in Auckland, my opinion was asked as to the effect likely to be produced on these natives, and others not implicated in the rebellion, by sending down a man-o'-war to Tauranga. My reply was that if due notice were given, and the object of doing so explained, no ill consequences would follow, but I strongly urged that these precautions should be taken, and I left town under the impression that the course indicated would be followed. I was therefore much surprised, after hearing and contradicting a report circulated among the natives a few days before the arrival of the Tauranga expedition, to the effect that steamers and soldiers were on their way hither, to find that the report was verified.
With respect to the statement made by me in the Attorney-General's office, with reference to the line of boundary between those natives who were for the most part compromised, and those who as a whole were not implicated, I cannot perceive that any discrepancy exists between that statement and the letters addressed by me to the Government and to Colonel Carey on the 22nd ult. The return now sent, I submit, bears out the statement that the majority of the natives and tribes on the west side of Tauranga, are concerned in the rebellion, and that, with a few exceptions, those on the east side are free from complicity in it. It also shows that there are important exceptions in favour of the former, the existence of which was pointed out in the letters under notice.
Bay of Plenty.
Return showing Native Settlements and Tribes in Tauranga with number of adult male population in each, and the number from each which have joined the Insurgents since the commencement of Hostilities.
Sir,—I am directed by the Colonial Secretary to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of February 11th, covering a return of the natives at Tauranga, and explaining the reasons which led you to communicate with Colonel Carey on his arrival, wth the view of inducing him to suspend action on the instructions he had received from His Excellency. The Government, I am directed to state, regrets that it cannot regard your explanations as satisfactory.
The object of the expedition under Colonel Carey was to create a diversion, by operating on the district from which a considerable number of the rebels were known to have gone, to fight with Her Majesty's troops in Waikato. The expedition was despatched at the most urgent request of General Cameron. And the instructions given to Colonel Carey were the result of several days' anxious consultations between His Excellency and his Ministers. The Government can see in the facts of the case, as now explained by you, no ground for your taking the responsibility of urging Colonel Carey to suspend the intended action, which by those instructions, he was directed to take.
The tabular information now furnished by you, does not appear to justify your interference, on the ground taken by you. A district from which fully two-thirds of the adult males have gone to join the rebels, and are actually fighting with the Queen's troops, leaving only their old men and a few others, barely sufficient in all probability to reap their crops, is as much a rebel district, to all intents and purposes, as Waikato itself. And in this instance, is the more emphatically so, in consequence of the close relationship of
In advising His Excellency to give the instructions which he did to Colonel Carey, Ministers acted on a mass of information collected from various sources, and substantially identical with that now furnished by you, which does not materially differ from that you gave to them when in Auckland. You have since not communicated anything material to them, which they were not aware of when Colonel Carey received his instructions. If the course pursued by you, in interposing the weight of your official influence between that officer and his instructions were allowed to pass
In conclusion, I am directed to express the regret of the Government that after giving the most favourable consideration to your letter under notice, it cannot approve of the course pursued by you on this occasion.
Native Secretary.
Native Department,
Auckland,
Memorandum by Mr Russell as to blockade of Tauranga:—
His Excellency is respectfully advised to instruct Captain Jenkins to maintain a strict blockade of the Tauranga Harbour. The Government will immediately prohibit supplies leaving Auckland for Tauranga, and as soon as possible will communicate with the other southern ports; but Captain Jenkins should be authorised to prohibit the landing at Tauranga of stores of any kind, except for the use of the troops.
Auckland
Where IsGate Pa ?
“Where is the site of
Regret is repeatedly expressed that the Pa with its trenches and traverses was not preserved in its original state, but this was hardly possible. The bombardment on the day of the battle must have wrought considerable havoc, and much filling in was done on the day following the battle. Then, some years later, a nearby settler, whose cows grazed over the area, completed the job of filling in. He was prosecuted and fined for his trouble, and there the matter ended. The pa and an adjoining area was at some date which we are unable to trace made a Domain. When the building of the Church was contemplated an exchange of sites was made, with the result that the Church of England shown in our illustration stands on the site of the Pa and the Domain is on the opposite side of the road a little nearer Tauranga.
Captain Mair in his story describes the situation of the pa in detail. He states that on the western slope, just on the crest of the ridge, a small oblong redoubt was built. Then came a clear space of some thirty paces, then the citadel extending eastward some forty or fifty paces to where the ditch—built by the missionaries across the isthmus from swamp to swamp—connected with the swamp and water supply. This places the water supply on the
It is interesting, too, to reflect on that portion of Captain Mair's story in which he tells us that Colonel Greer, with about 700 men of the 68th, left camp Puke Wharangi-whence they had moved from Tauranga on the 27th—about 9 p.m. on the 28th., and that it was then raining heavily. Continuing his narrative he records that throughout the day of the battle there was continuous rain.
General Cameron, in his despatch to His Excellency the Governor, Sir George Grey, reports that on the 27th—the day after all the reinforcements had been landed at the Mission Station, and two days before the battle—he moved the 68th Regiment under Colonel Greer, and a mixed detachment of 170 men under Major Ryan to within about 1200 yards of the enemy's position, and on that and the following day the guns and mortars and more men were moved up to this camp. From here, as reported by himself to the Deputy Adjutant General, Colonel Greer marched out of camp at 6.45 p.m. on the 28th with the 68th., the men carrying one day's cooked rations and a greatcoat each, with the object of getting in the rear of the enemy. This objective was not reached until 3 a.m. on the 29th. It was then dark and raining. The men were on the alert the whole of the next day, the day of the battle, and we are told it rained nearly all that day. At 5 p.m. came the engagement with the Maoris attempting to escape from the Pa, and throughout the night the men were still on the alert for escaping Maoris. Colonel Greer reports:—”On such a wet, dark night as that was nothing but a close chain of sentries strongly supported round the whole rear and flanks could have kept the Maoris in,” and then concludes his report with the terse sentence “The whole of the 68th was back in Camp at 6 p.m. yesterday” (the 30th).
We thus find that with “one day's cooked rations and a great-coat each,” the men of the 68th left their camp at 7 o'clock on the evening of the 28th and were not back in camp till 6 o'clock on the afternoon of the 30th, two nights and two days in almost continuous rain, on short rations—no mean test of human endurance and no mean contribution to the peace and good-feeling between Maori and Pakeha that we now enjoy.
As to whether any controversy will arise concerning the episode in the pa on the night following the battle when someone brought to the wounded British soldiers a drink of water we cannot say, but there is an evident conflict of opinion as to who performed this humane act. Captain Mair does not mention it.
“One dying of his wounds was tended all night by
It must not be forgotten that not only is the pa—or what remains of it—as we know it to-day the site of the memorable engagement, but nearby is the last resting place of the Maoris who were killed in the
At Te Ranga there is nothing whatever to note or indicate the site. It is now the property of Mr William Merrick and both he and Mrs Merrick at all times courteously permit visitors to wander over the field and endeavour to discover traces of the trenches in which so many Maoris were slain. The trenches evidently run along the edge of a steep bank, and the illustration given elsewhere is from a photograph taken from the site of the trenches looking out on the country below and beyond in the direction in which the Maori survivors fled, pursued by Captain A. C. Turner and a small detachment of the Defence Force.
The Battle ofGate Pa
I have been fortunate in securing several engravings of local interest from old numbers of the “Illustrated London News.” Among them is one from a sketch by Brigadier-General G. V. Carey, of Tauranga and its harbour when the troops were encamped here in 1864. Another is from a sketch by Major-General (then Lieutenant)
Accompanying these engravings is an interesting account published at the time of the Battle of
“We have in the last twelve months been abundantly supplied with illustrations of the Maori war by the courtesy of many of our correspondents belonging to the military or naval services employed in that tedious and difficult undertaking.
“We are this week enabled to avail ourselves of a sketch by Brigadier-General G. V. Carey, an officer well known in New Zealand, which the news brought by last mail has rendered more valuable than when we received it two months ago. It is a view of the harbour of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, on the eastern coast of the North Island, and of the camp at the Church Mission village of Te Papa, occupied by the headquarters of the 68th and part of the 43rd Regiments, with detachments of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, and Waikato Militia. Lieutenant-Colonel Carey, of the 18th Royal Irish (now Brigadier-General) then commanded the Tauranga expeditionary force, by whom this important military establishment was formed about the beginning of the year. We find in one of the Auckland newspapers a letter from a gentleman who visited Tauranga in February last. The writer bears testimony to the excellent arrangements there made for a new basis of General Cameron's operations in the interior. It should first be explained that, since the reduction of Maungatautiri, the last remaining strong-hold of the Maoris on the Upper Waikato River, General Cameron
It seems that General Cameron had, on the 27th, examined the position of the Maoris, and laid his plan of attack. A force composed of the head-quarter companies of the 43rd Light Infantry, under Colonel Booth, 68th under Colonel Greer, and Naval Brigade, came out of Te Papa at nightfall on the 28th, and lay close to the pa, which was a series of earthworks or redoubts, on the crest of a hill, connected with each other by a perfect labyrinth of trenches and subterranean passages, which the Maoris had burrowed in the ground. The officers and men of our ships of war, during the same night of the 28th, having landed a 110-pounder and two 40-pounder Armstrong guns, placed them as a siege battery within range of the enemy's fortifications, while two 5-inch mortars and one 6-pounder (Armstrong) were set in position behind the earthworks we constructed on a hill to our right; and a small breastwork, with two 8-inch mortars, another 6-pounder (Armstrong), and two 24-pounder howitzers, were erected in front of the pa. They must have worked hard, for many hours, to complete these formidable preparations. When the morning dawned General Cameron gave orders to open fire from our batteries. It was kept up without cessation from seven o'clock till four in the afternoon. Still the Maoris did not show themselves; there was no sign of life in the pa. A rumour then arose in our camp that the enemy were escaping from behind it. The order to “cease fire” was sounded, and the 68th advanced in skirmishing order, on our extreme right, far in the rear of the pa. It was apparent that a breach had been made in the enemy's works. The evening was wearing on. It was at length resolved upon to storm the pa, and two companies of the flying column marched out to the right, under cover of the batteries. They lay concealed in the fern until the storming party and support, composed of the Naval Brigade and 43rd Light Infantry, were formed into line and advanced from the centre battery. Commander Hay, of the Harrier, led the storming party. The covering party advanced in front of the pa, within 100 yards of its outer face, and opened fire. The defenders of the pa replied almost instantly. The Maoris had leaped from their cover to defend their works, and gallantly and well they fought. While the fire in front was at its height, the stormers advanced in column at the double, and with a cheer carried the breach. The stormers were in the pa, and a desperate conflict took place. The General, who was in the advanced trench of his position, ordered up the supports while the storming party rushed into the breach. The second division of blue jackets and the 43rd., led by Captain Hamilton of the Esk, advanced with a cheer. They arrived at a critical moment. The storming party, exposed to a murderous fire on all sides, and from hidden
We will now give some description of the place shown in our larger Engraving, which is from Colonel Carey's sketch of From an engraving in the Illustrated London News of July 30th, 1864, showing the graves in the old Mission
Cemetery at Tauranga of British soldiers and sailors who fell at Tauranga— Taken from an engravin in the Illustrated London News of July 23rd, 1864.
The Old Mission Cemetery
On the edge of a cliff at the north-eastern extremity of the isthmus on which the town of Tauranga rests, with the placid waters of the harbour lapping at its foot some sixty or seventy feet below, stands the Old Mission Cemetery, very frequently erroneously called the Old Military Cemetery. It never was a “Military” Cemetery, although here lie the Pakeha sailors and soldiers who fell at
At the gateway of this historic cemetery is a notice board telling us in simple words that it is
Otamataha Pa
the
Burial Ground of the
Church Missionary Society
1835–1881
Also of the
Soldiers and Sailors who
fell in the Maori War
1864–65.
The first interment in the cemetery was that of Mrs Wilson, the wife of the Rev.
Turning for a moment to the
It is here reproduced among the illustrations and the footnote to the illustration in that journal reads:—
“We present an engraving from a sketch with which we have been favoured by Colonel Williams, who is commanding of the artillery in New Zealand. It may best be explained by the following extract from his note:—
“The accompanying rough sketch of the cemetery at Tauranga cannot fail to be of melancholy interest to the families of those brave men who fell in the assault on the Pah of Puke Wharangi on the evening of the 29th of April. This cemetery is situated at the end of a bluff in the harbour of Tauranga. In the sketch, Mount Monganui appears facing the spectator, and the Esk, Harrier, and Jason are seen lying in the harbour. Two weeping willows, and a cabbage-tree with a clump of aloes, mark the spot where the British soldiers and sailors are interred in thirty-two graves, which are disposed in three parallel lines. Lieutenant-Colonel Booth, of the 43rd Regiment, is buried on the left hand, close to the aloes; his men are buried to the right of him. The six officers and sergeant-major of that regiment lie in the centre line of graves. The naval officers and seamen are buried in the line of graves farthest from the spectator, being arranged in their order of seniority, beginning from the left hand side of this view. These graves had all been prepared by the 2nd of May, when the funeral took place. The coffins were, on that day, borne in procession from the marquee which is shown on the left-hand side of the sketch. The ceremonial was conducted with impressive solemnity. General
From this I have been able to follow and check the graves and the headstones marking them. In the outer line of graves facing the harbour lie from left to right as we look at the illustration reproduced, Captain John Fane
The monument also bears the names of the sailors who were
“Renovated by H.M.S. Veronica, 17/1/32.”
No attempt is made to erect a finer looking monument, for none is needed. What finer tribute could the ‘Service’ pay to its gallant dead than to keep in repair the simple wooden cross. Without fail, visiting warships to Tauranga see to it from time to time that the cross is repaired, and, as the inscription relates, it was last attended to when the Veronica visited the port early in 1932.
Apart from the 43rd and 68th Monuments are several head-stones marking the graves of the soldiers who lie there. Formerly these graves were marked by wooden ‘headstones,’ but time took its toll of them, a fact carefully noted by the late Mr J. C. Adams, who about the time he was Mayor of the town interested himself in having the graves marked by more permanent ‘stones.’ Through his instrumentality the Government agreed to the Public Works Department providing these stones. A simple design was decided upon, and the new ‘stones’ were duly erected. But apparently some graves have been missed. It seems reasonable to assume that each grave had at its head a simple wooden slab. To-day they are not all marked, either by the earlier slab or the later stone. This omission will, I trust, be repaired.
Some twenty-five years ago the Cemetery bore a rather neglected appearance. Its care was the responsibility of the Tauranga Borough Council. Funds were none too plentiful to keep in fitting order this hallowed and historic last resting place. The Council was not unconcerned, for I well remember repeated references at Council meetings to the state of the Cemetery. At last, when Acting Town Clerk during the war, and the late Mr J. C. Adams was Mayor, opportunity was taken of a visit to the town of the Hon.
There yet remains to mention the two fine Maori monuments, one to the memory of Rawiri Puhirake, the Maori leader, and the other in memory of
The monument to Rawiri Puhirake is a fine example of the monumental mason's art. The story of the unveiling and the history of the monument is well told in the following account taken from the Bay of Plenty Times of June 22, 1914.
“The united efforts of Europeans and Maoris to perpetuate the memory of Rawiri Puhirake were consummated yesterday, when the monument erected in honour of the clever and chivalrous warrior was unveiled in the Military Cemetery on the fiftieth anniversary of Rawiri's death. Some time ago, Colonel Ward and Mr J. C. Adams (Chairman of the Military Cemetery Committee of the Tauranga Borough Council), were approached by a number of leading natives—who had subscribed a certain sum towards erecting a monument over Rawiri's grave—and asked to take in hand the management of the project. They readily assented, and were successful not only in raising a considerable sum in subscriptions from European sympathisers. but were also promised a substantial Government subsidy from the Native Minister, the Hon.
“Rawiri Puhirake belonged to the Ngaitukairangi hapu of the Ngaiterangi and came of a very good fighting stock. He led the Maoris in the memorable battle at
The monument was unveiled with befitting ceremony by Colonel Logan, A.D.C., Officer Commanding the Auckland military district, on June 21st, 1914, who, in performing the ceremony, said: “Mr Mayor, Chief of the Maori Race, Ladies and Gentlemen,—I have to thank you, Mr Mayor, for the welcome extended to me to-day. No nation can become great until they do honour to those who have gone before. Lately the graves of the soldiers and sailors who fell in the war have been restored. Some time ago I attended the unveiling of
“Fifty years have passed since the battle of
“I am deputed by the Governor, and by the General of the Army, to come here to-day to unveil this monument. The opening of Parliament prevents the Ministers of the Crown or the Governor from coming here, and because I command the troops in the Auckland district, I am deputed to come here to unveil a monument to a noble foe who fell fighting for his country having the glorious consciousness that he had done his duty.
“May his example stimulate us all in the life that we live here. May he rest in peace.”
The account then proceeds:
“The monument is of striking appearance. It is of red granite, and the total height of the column is 20 feet 4 inches, resting on a concrete base of 10 feet square, rising in two steps, the base being
“On three panels on the western side of the column is the following inscription:—‘Sacred to the memory of Rawiri Puhirake, a chief of the Ngaiterangi tribe, who led the Maoris in battle at
And so we leave this hallowed spot, reminder of the earliest missionary efforts in a new land, of the conflicts of later years, and of the abiding peace between Maori and Pakeha that followed. Not again is the hand of neglect likely to mar it. With a lively sense
An Episode at the Battle of
Looking out aeross the harbour from the
the old Mission Cemetery. The post-and-rail fence is in fitting association
with the memories of pioneer days
which the Cemetery itself inspires.
The Rawiri Puhirake Monument in the
old Mission Cemetery at Tauranga.“Two weeping willows and a cabbage-tree with a clump of aloes, mark the
spot where the British soldiers and
sailors are interred in thirty-two
graves.” (See page 75). The cabbage
tree alone remains.
The grave of Lieut. Hill of H.M.S.
Curacoa, killed in the assault on
The simple wooden cross to the seamen and marines killed in the assault
on
The grave of Archdeacon Brown, his
wife and son, adjoining the military
graves in the old Mission Cemetery at
Tauranga
The grave of Captain Hamilton, H.M.S. Esk, killed in the assault on
The “43rd” Monument in the old Mission Cemetery at Tauranga.
The “68th” Monument in the old Mission Cemetery at Tauranga
The grave of Commander Hay. H.M.S. Harrier, killed in the assault on
Heroes who won the Victoria Cross at
To Tauranga in the latter part of 1933 came an interesting visitor—Mr R. G. Harwood Manley, grandson of Dr. Manley, who took part in the
“This is to keep my promise, if very belatedly, made to you when I was in Tauranga just after Christmas, to send you a copy of the account which I have of the
He then went on to say:—
“Ever since I have been in New Zealand, being the only one of the family who has been here since my grandfather except my sister who came out just before last Christmas, I have been particularly interested to try and dig up all the information I can about his activities and experiences here and your booklet has added a lot to my knowledge in this direction. I still have to find out, however, which were the other three Pas at the taking of which he was present. I believe his services here included some time in both Taranaki and the Waikato. Although I have twice read practically the whole of that quite elaborate book “Defenders of New Zealand,” which gives details of many battles and encounters in the Maori wars, I have not found his name mentioned anywhere except in your booklet.
“As I think I told you I am still hoping to get from my uncle eventually some relics which my grandfather took home from New Zealand with him. These include two books written in manuscript in Maori (one of which I understand is a New Testament), a green-stone mere, a whalebone patu, a sinnet fishing line with shark's tooth hooks, and possibly others. It is quite possible that the mere or patu or both were taken from the
“I have always hoped that I might be able to meet some one who had known my grandfather (which I never did), although naturally they would necessarily be pretty well on in years now. But I see from Captain Mair's account that he did know him well and that Captain Mair was alive for several years after I came to New Zealand at least. Unfortunately I never knew this then, in fact not until I got the book from you, or I could have taken steps to meet him before his death and probably gathered much, to me, interesting information.
“I hope the enclosed account will be of interest to you. It at least gives one point which is not mentioned in Captain Mair's account. That is that the storming party did not meet with any resistance from the Maoris even after they were inside the pa, and as a result ‘casting away their arms they dispersed in search of plunder.’ This is very probably the true account and explains the previously apparently inexplicable panic of the men a minute later when they were attacked by an enemy who were still below the ground, out of sight, of unknown numbers and able to snipe them off without the possibility of an effective reply. Besides being an essential part of the account of the battle, if true, and probably explaining the extraordinary defeat and huge loss of the British forces at the hands of such a small, ill-armed band, it says volumes for the shrewdness of the Maori in adopting a type of defence and warfare not practised by the British until the Great War, as well as for their judgment of the phychology of their enemy and their marvellous powers of restraint in letting such a formidable force walk so far into the trap before giving it away.”
The account forwarded by Mr Manley is as follows:—
An Account of The Services
of
The Late Surgeon-General William George Nicholas Manley
In The
Crimea, New Zealand and Franco-Prussian Wars.
“William George Nicholas Manley entered the Army Medical Department as an assistant-surgeon in 1854. Proceeding to the Crimea in the following summer he served with the Royal Artillery at the Siege of Sebastopol from the 11th of June until the fall of the place.
“He served with the Royal Artillery during the New Zealand war of 1864-6, and he was thanked in general orders and promoted to the rank of Staff-surgeon for ‘distinguished and meritorious
“The Maoris had constructed a strong stockaded work at Tauranga called ‘The General Cameron states in his despatch on the battle of This movement was on the night of the 28th.
“At half-past seven on the morning of the Should be the 29th.
“The wily Maoris had, however, taken refuge from the cannonade in underground chambers covered over with turf and branches. Almost uninjured by the shot and shell which had, for more than eight hours, been poured into the Pah, the defenders waited patiently for the assault. At length the sound of cheers gave notice that the stormers were at hand and immediately afterwards a crowd of soldiers and sailors streamed with disorderly impetuosity into the work and, seeing no enemy, scattered themselves
“Struck with panic at such an unexpected attack, this new form of death so daunted our men that those who had not fallen rushed out of the place in the wildest confusion, leaving the interior strewed with dead, dying and disabled comrades. Seeing what had happened, Sir
“When the sudden fire was first opened on the stormers, Commander Hay was one of the first to fall mortally wounded. In the selfishness of terror both the soldiers and sailors abandoned the wounded. There was, however, a noble exception—
“We may here remark that during the ensuing night the Maoris abandoned the work and managed to get off in safety, notwithstanding that the 68th and thirty sailors watched the rear of the Pah.
“Dr. Manley, had he never done anything else, would have well earned a place on the list of British heroes. He, however, subsequently nobly justified his right to the Victoria Cross. While in New Zealand he happened to be present during the disembarking of some artillery in the Waitotara River. As he was quitting the steamer a gunner fell overboard. The man was in imminent danger
“Accompanying the British Ambulance to France in 1870, he so distinguished himself by his energy, courage and devotion that he was thanked by General von Wittich, commanding the Prussian Division to which Dr. Manley was attached. He was granted the steel War Medal and the second class of the Iron Cross, the latter decoration being conferred upon him ‘on account of his devoted and excellent conduct in seeking out and caring for the wounded of the 22nd Prussian division in the actions of Chateauneuf and Bretoncelles on the 18th and 21st November, and the battles of Orleans and Cravant on the 2nd to the 10th December, 1870. He also obtained the Bavarian Order of Merit for 1870-71. In December, 1872 he attained the rank of Surgeon-major.”
In the New Zealand Railways Magazine of 1st August, 1934, appeared under the heading of “Heroes of the Maori Wars,” a story by H. L. Chisholm of “How Fifteen Victoria Crosses were won in New Zealand.” After describing the incident at
“On 21st June, Colonel Greer found the Maoris entrenching for a formidable pa at Te Ranga and he attacked at once. The natives made a desperately gallant stand, but they wilted before a successful bayonet charge, and the few survivors broke and fled. The Tauranga campaign was over.
“The winners of the awards were Sergeant
“Captain Smith is stated to have led on his company in the most gallant manner. Although wounded before he had reached the rifle-pits, he jumped down into them where he began a hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement and setting them a fine example.
“Although it is not mentioned in the official citation, there is the authority of Mr Cowan for saying that Captain Smith led the right of the advance and received two wounds, and that Sergeant Murray killed a Maori about to tomahawk a corporal who had just run him through with his bayonet.”
English Memorial to a Maori
Living at Devonport, Auckland, is Mr Edward Kennedy, a member of a well-known Tauranga family, who resided here as a boy. He has visited Tauranga at intervals, and on his last visit here in 1935 he copied the inscription on the monument in the old Mission Cemetery to the memory of Rawiri Puhirake. This he forwarded to his former Commanding Officer, Brigadier-General G. B. Mackenzie, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., A.A., etc., etc., of 62 Duke's Road, Muswell Hill, London, who sent it on to the Dean of Lichfield. The result was interesting as disclosed in the letters received in reply by Mr Kennedy from Brigadier-General Mackenzie and from the Dean of Lichfield. The Dean in his letter states:—
“Brigadier-General G. B. Mackenzie has kindly forwarded to me, as representing Lichfield Cathedral, your very interesting note, and newspaper extract, about the monument in the military cemetery at Tauranga; and I write at once to thank you heartily as Dean and on behalf of all the Chapter, for your thoughtful courtesy in sending us this information, which we gratefully appreciate.
“The ‘English Memoral to a Maori,’ to which the newspaper refers, is in the Close of Lichfield, but not actually in the Cathedral. It was placed by
“To me personally it has a peculiar interest; because a cousin of mine,
“Your sympathetic account of this memorial will be carefully preserved among our Cathedral records.
Dean of Lichfield.”
Brigadier-General Mackenzie in writing explained that he had received a letter from the Dean, of which he enclosed a copy. This letter of the Dean's stated:—
“Thank you sincerely for your kindness in sending me Mr Kennedy's letter and enclosure, which is of real interest.
“The memorial window at Lichfield to which it refers is not in the Cathedral itself but in the Chapel that was added to the Episcopal Palace in the Close by
Bishop Selwyn . There is no inscription there explaining its special commemoration; but that is recorded fully in Prebendary Thacker's Life ofBishop Selwyn .“My copy of this book is now in our Reference Library here so that I cannot forward it to you for perusal; but the Librarian has kindly transcribed the account for me, which I now enclose for I think you may possibly be interested to see it. And perhaps I may venture to ask if you would be so kind as to send it on to Mr Kennedy when writing to him.
“I am writing to him to thank him for his thought, which I gratefully appreciate; and to say that his information about the monument in the Military Cemetery at Tauranga is quite new to us in Lichfield; and that I am particularly glad to have it, and place it with other notes about
Bishop Selwyn in our Reference Library.“I have a special interest in this story, because I believe it was at the engagement at
Gate Pa on 29th April, 1864, that a cousin of mine,Captain Edwin Utterton , was killed. I remember hearing at the time that while he was lying wounded—shot through the neck, a Christian Maori by night, at the risk of his own life, brought him water in a calabash.”The extract from the Life of
Bishop Selwyn which the Dean had furnished was also forwarded by Brigadier-General Mackenzie to Mr Kennedy, and is as follows:—“At the end of the war his (
Bishop Selwyn 's) services were publicly recognised by the medal, given to all the military who had taken part in the war, being granted to him; the officers and men to whom he had ministered, either on active service, or when sick and wounded, and the friends of those whom he had nursed and tended to the last, subscribed and gave him money for the ornamentation of his private chapel. It was with that donation that he procured the painted windows in the private chapel of the palace in Lichfield. All the subjects of those windows represent whatmay be called the Christian and specially chivalrous side of the soldier's life. All the lights on the south side are filled with subjects taken from the Old Testament; all on the north from the New Testament. … . But the most remarkable and historical window is one on the south side, representing David pouring out the water which the three soldiers had fetched from the well of Bethlehem at the risk of their lives (I Chron. XI, 17-19). This was intended to record a like chivalrous act of a Maori chief in the course of the war near Tauranga on the east coast. “The Maori general in question was named
Henare Taratoa . He had been educated by the bishop at St. John's College, from about 1845 to 1853. He was a very clever, thoughtful youth, but excitable, and not altogether to be depended upon, so that the bishop would not lead him on to the ministry for fear he might fall away from the faith. Once when the bishop was telling a party of natives Aesop's fable of the cat that was changed into a princess, and how the princess leapt out of bed when she saw a mouse, he suddenly turned to Henare, and said, “What's the mouse?” “Te vitenga Maori” (old native customs) was the reply. “What's the princess?” said the bishop. “The Maori heart,” said the conscience-touched youth. Henare sided with his country-men in the war, but held to the Gospel, as was shown by the action which the painted window records. He was commanding the native forces at the fight after the disaster that befell the English at theGate Pa . The English charged their rifle-pits and drove them out; the Maoris slowly retreated, facing the enemy, and were all bayoneted, showing a courage that won the admiration of the English. When Henare's body was searched, they found on him the “orders of the day” for fighting. They began with a form of prayer, and ended with the words (in Maori), Rom. XII, 20, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.” These were not idle words, for on the occasion of the panic that occurred amongst our troops at theGate Pa a few days before, several English officers, naval and military, had got inside the Maori redoubt and were left there, severely wounded. One dying of his wounds was tended all night byHenare Taratoa . The dying man asked for water. There was none inside the Maori redoubt, nor nearer than three miles on their side of theGate Pa ; but there was water inside the English lines at the foot of theGate Pa ; andHenare Taratoa crept down amongst the fern within reach of the sentries, and filled a calabash with water, which he successfully carried back to refresh the parched lips of his enemy. The English officers told this story.”