(Chapter 30): THE MURDER OF MR. PITCAIRN AT OHIWA

Statements obtained from Maoris by Major Mair, R.M., at Opotiki, showed that Mr. Robert Pitcairn, surveyor, was killed by Te Kooti's raidingparty at Uretara Island, in Ohiwa Harbour, Bay of Plenty, on the 2nd March, 1869. Te Kooti had made Rakuraku's people and the Upokorehe willing prisoners or converts at Whakarae pa, and hearing that there was a pakeha surveyor camped on Uretara he gave orders that he should be killed, and told off a party of men, four of whom were escapees from Chatham Island, to carry out the deed.

The Maoris went across to the island in a canoe, and one of them, Netana (Nathan) Whakaari, was sent to reconnoitre Pitcairn's camp. He returned with the information that the kai-ruri was not at home (he was out shooting kuaka). The party waited in ambush until Pitcairn returned.

On the treacherous persuasion of a woman who was Pitcairn's house-keeper, the surveyor gave up his gun to Hemi Kakitu (a Hauhau who afterwards turned to the Government side). Thereupon a Maori—some natives said it was Rangiaho—tomahawked him.

At Waimana in 1921 I questioned the old warrior Netana Whakaari about this murder. His statement was that Wi Piro and Rangi-tahau were the leaders of the party of slayers.

On the expedition to Ohiwa Te Kooti, according to Maori accounts, was armed with four revolvers and a sword, and carried a telescope.