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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Euera Whakaahu Tekahu

Euera Whakaahu Tekahu (Edward Sutherland), Farmer, Kauangaroa. Born in 1855 in Matatera, Wangaehu, Mr. Sutherland now resides at Kauangaroa, and comes from the Ngawairiki-Ngatiapa tribe, his father being Nat. Daniel Sutherland, a native of Newcastle. In 1866 he, as a boy, followed the native army of Sir George Grey to the Taranaki District. He relates that on the trip up they upon one occasion ran short of “tucker” and resorted to killing the pack-horses, and during this time they had their first “brush” with the natives, wounding three of their chiefs. At the latter end of Titokowaru's time in 1866, a big fight occurred at Ngataotemanui, where the natives, placing themselves on the tops of trees, picked off the officers of the English one by one and afterwards drove them back to Waihi (Hawera). The Europeans returned to bring away the dead and wounded, but found that they had been eaten. Some time later Mr. Sutherland was as the battle of Okotuku, near Waverley, when a good many whites and many more Maoris word killed and scores wounded. A few days after this skirmish the party moved down to Patea, a small company being sent on ahead with the provisions, etc., but they had not gone further than Whenuakura when the enemy attached them, killing the shafter of the dray. As soon as the little band saw the plight they were in they made the best of it, but three ran straight for Patea, when two mounted troopers at Patea, learning what had happened, immediately galloped up to help those surrounded, and the natives upon seeing the dust that was made imagined it was a large party and at once decamped. The next morning they started in pursuit of the Maoris and met them at Otautu. It was a foggy morning, and the natives, after wounding a few of the attacking party, removed before the fog lifted. The Europeans then found a quantity of meat preserved by the native process in oil (Hinu), and when the Maoris of the party were going to eat it they discovered in it the flesh of Europeans, so of course they threw it away. Mr Sutherland has on several occasions been elected speaker for the tribe, and speaks good English. In 1880 he first made his appearance in the Land Court, acting as clerk without fee, and in the same year was clerk to Major Kemp at Murimotu, in Rangipo Block. In 1881 he went up with Major Kemp and a party of ninety for the sittings of the Land Court at Taupo, and the first night saved Major Kemp's life, when Hoani-Te Mutu-mutu attempted to shoot him. He has also given some attention to the horse, and has a number of his own breeding in training. Mr. Sutherland married a daughter of Puki, and has a family of two boys and three girls. He is a large landholder at Turakina, Maputahi, Omurehore, and Aromango.