1873 - Kennedy, A. New Zealand - CHAPTER IV.

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CHAPTER IV.

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CHAPTER IV.

TOWARDS the close of the year 1843, Captain Robert FitzRoy, an officer in the Royal Navy, who had previously held a seat in the House of Commons, arrived in New Zealand, having been appointed Governor in succession to Captain Hobson. On his arrival he had immediately to grapple with various important questions, and had to encounter a combination of difficulties, which neither his firmness could withstand nor his judgment surmount.

A severe monetary crisis prevailed at that time, both in the Australian colonies and New Zealand, and the distress and suffering experienced by all classes were severe and protracted. When the

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new Governor arrived at Auckland, he found the colony suffering from extreme monetary depression; the Government not only financially embarrassed, but its resources exhausted, and the salaries of the officers for months in arrear, from want of funds. The natives were likewise exposed to similar privations and hardships; for by an Act of the local Legislature, they could sell their land to the Government only, who had then no funds wherewith to buy it when offered for sale, nor would they allow the colonists to purchase it, although able and willing. The natives maintained, and not unreasonably, that the law gave the Government only the right of preemption, and that on the refusal of the Government they were at liberty to dispose of them to the colonists. As their lands were not Crown lands, they could be sold at less than the Government upset price of 1l. per acre. Hitherto the Government and the company were the exclusive vendors of land; now a third party, the natives, by far the largest owners, appeared, not only as rivals and competitors, but prepared to undersell and drive the former altogether out of the field. The Government and the company, who reaped large profits in buying lands from the natives at a mere nominal price, from a farthing to sixpence an acre, and then re-selling it to the colonists at the minimum price of 1l., united in opposing the sale of land direct to the colonists by the natives. This land-jobbing monopoly, although practised by the company, was highly injudicious on the part of the Government. A bond of sympathy and self-interest united the natives and colonists. The natives, irritated as well as provoked by this dog-in-the manger policy, proceeded from one act of aggression

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to another, until at last they set the Government at defiance by cutting down the flagstaff at the Bay of Islands, which they considered was the emblem of British authority.

In the south the condition of the company's settlements was equally depressed and unsatisfactory. The natives were gloomy and suspicious, and yet uncertain what measures would be adopted by the Government respecting the treatment of the prisoners taken at the fight at the Wairau. But when the governor visited the south, he carefully investigated all circumstances connected with that untoward event, and, after mature consideration, announced that he considered that the unfortunate gentlemen who fell in the conflict had been the aggressors, and that no measures of retaliation would be adopted by the Government. A shout of execration was raised by the company at this decision, and they denounced the conduct of the governor as unjust and pusillanimous. The settlements in the south consequently manifested the bitterest hostility towards the governor, and took measures to thwart and annoy him in every possible manner. The governor, on his return to the north, experienced the greatest difficulty in maintaining peace and order among the native inhabitants, in reference to the land question. This condition of affairs forced him to resort to the only means at his disposal calculated to maintain the tranquillity of the natives. He therefore boldly resolved on, and wisely introduced measures for, the total abolition of the obnoxious system of land-jobbing; and without waiting for the authority of the Imperial Government, immediately on his own responsibility issued a proclamation announcing that

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he was prepared, under certain conditions and regulations, to waive the Crown's right of pre-emption over native lands, and to permit the owners to dispose of them direct to the colonists. This measure was the coup de grace to the company. It was sound policy, and was carried into operation in a statesmanlike manner. If Governor FitzRoy had limited the innovations of his policy to this measure, and met the further and unreasonable demands of the natives with a decided refusal, his career, instead of being a failure, would have been one of brilliant achievement and success.

This system of allowing the native lands to be disposed of direct to the colonists, is the basis on which the early prosperity of Auckland was erected, as it secured the peaceful co-operation of the natives, and gave an impetus to its enterprise, which in a few months raised its condition, from a state of despondency bordering on despair, into a thriving and prosperous settlement.

In addition to this measure, so highly beneficial and satisfactory to both races, the governor introduced and carried into operation another, calculated to be no less favourable to the parties interested, than conducive to the sound and permanent prosperity of the settlements in the north. Many of the old land claimants, who had acquired land before the country became a British colony, and who had experienced hard treatment from the Government, had now fallen into poverty, and were living with their families unprotected in remote places, far removed from civilisation. The governor therefore resolved, on behalf of the Crown, to purchase their lands situated in these remote places, giving them in

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exchange lands situated in the town or neighbourhood of Auckland. This was sound and judicious policy, as it collected the remotely scattered population of the country around Auckland, rendering them safe from native aggression, and at the same time strengthening the settlement by increasing its population. Numbers of the old colonists availed themselves of the advantages offered by this measure, and many comfortable hamlets and happy homes were in this manner created, and not a few of the colonists are now indebted to it for their wealthy and independent position.

These measures, so practical, legitimate, and favourable to the Government settlements in the north, created on the part of the company's settlements in the south the most intense animosity and hostility against the governor, and a petition to the Imperial Government for his recall was immediately prepared, numerously signed, and forwarded by one of the leading partisans, who was despatched to England as a special representative of their alleged grievances.

Hitherto, Governor FitzRoy's policy was legitimate and statesmanlike; although some of his measures were innovations and antagonistic to the views of the New Zealand Company, they were however founded on sound principles, and justified by necessity and the obligations of justice.

But from this time, his want of firmness in not resisting the unreasonable demands of the natives, and the measures he was driven to in his extremity in order to provide funds for carrying on his government, exposed him to censure. At the same time it must be remembered, that he was fettered by the Colonial Office, and entirely prohibited, under any

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circumstances whatever, from drawing bills on the Lords of the Treasury. He therefore resolved to issue debentures, 1 which, was a legitimate step; but he went beyond his authority in establishing these debentures as a circulating medium, and making them a legal tender. The result was fatal to his colonial career; he sacrificed himself, but saved the colony; and as these debentures were ultimately taken up and paid from imperial funds, he merely anticipated this result in the measure forced upon him by the absurd conduct of the Colonial Office in sending him to govern a remote colony, without providing funds to meet the ordinary charges.

There was another measure of his financial policy which cannot be defended: the abolition of the revenue raised by the customs duties, and the substitution of a direct tax on property in its place. This measure, it was alleged, was adopted in order to pacify the natives; but it cannot be defended even on such a ground. Political economy is an inductive, and not an experimental science, and the financial condition of the colony did not justify him in making such an experiment.

The governor's land policy was however successful, and peace was maintained at Auckland, where the largest native population resided. The great and powerful Waikato chiefs continued friendly, aiding and strengthening the Government, and offered their

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services to defend Auckland from the aggression of all hostile natives. To this circumstance it was owing that, in a period of peril and alarm, Auckland remained undisturbed, enjoying peace and prosperity during the war that ensued, and which for a time rendered the two extremities of the North Island in many places desolate.

The natives, after cutting down the flagstaff at the Bay of Islands, continued in a hostile and turbulent condition, which induced Captain FitzRoy to apply to Sir George Gipps, the governor of New South Wales, for a reinforcement of troops, which application was promptly complied with. The immediate and unexpected arrival of this military force at the Bay of Islands, produced for a time a salutary influence on the minds of the insubordinate natives, who readily assumed a subdued behaviour, and expressed regret for their previous lawless conduct, at the same time promising to remain quiet and submissive for the future, provided the governor sent the troops immediately out of the country. The governor was deceived by this show of submission on the part of the chiefs, and very injudiciously ordered the troops to re-embark forthwith, and return to Sydney. This want of firmness displayed by the governor only encouraged the natives to proceed to further acts of hostility, on a more extended and systematic basis.

The leader in these disturbances was a turbulent Maori chief, Johnny Heki, who commenced his lawless career by cutting down again and again the flagstaff at the Bay of Islands. The Government, with more zeal than discretion, resolved to prevent him from committing such acts in future, and for this

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purpose built a blockhouse ball-proof, on the top of the hill on which the flagstaff was erected, and in it was placed a detachment consisting of fifteen soldiers of the 96th Regiment, under the command of Ensign Campbell, with orders to hold the place and protect the flag at all hazards. The chief, Johnny Heki, was however not to be foiled in his monomania for cutting down this flag. He had observed that Ensign Campbell and his men, when they saw the Maories advancing towards the town below, left the blockhouse and repaired to the brow of the hill, in order to obtain a view of what was going on with the natives, and he prepared his plans accordingly. He ordered some fifteen of his stout and daring fellows to proceed during the night to within a short distance of the blockhouse and conceal themselves in the tall brown fern, which in colour could hardly be distinguished from the tawny skins of the Maories.

After planting this party in ambush during the night, Heki the following morning, in force, advanced towards the town, and fired a few volleys, in order to attract the attention of the military in the blockhouse. Campbell, on hearing the report of musketry, hastily left his post with his men, in order to observe what was going on below, leaving the blockhouse and flag unprotected; when the Maories in ambush, who were watching all his proceedings, and only waiting for this opportunity, leaped from their cover in the fern, and bounding like deer towards the blockhouse were immediately in possession of it, including all the arms and munitions of war, killing an unfortunate soldier, the only one that remained at his post to defend it. In order to complete their victory, and at the same time to announce the success of the enterprise to

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their friends, they fired volley after volley at Campbell and his party of soldiers, who scampered off, as fast as they could run, for safety to the nearest blockhouse, about a mile distant below.

This capture of the flag and blockhouse greatly encouraged the natives in their career of hostility, and they now gathered together in considerable numbers under their two leaders Heki and Kaweti, who, boasting that the conflict at the Wairau had revealed the weakness of the English and superiority of the Maories, threw off all allegiance to the Government, set the military at defiance, and appeared in open rebellion.

The 'Hazard' sloop of war was sent to protect the inhabitants and their property in the town of Russell. The natives, however, appeared in considerable force, and immediately attacked the place. The sailors then landed from the 'Hazard,' and in the most gallant manner repulsed the assailants for some time; but when Captain Robertson, the commander of the 'Hazard,' who was severely wounded, had to be carried on board his ship, the natives renewed the assault, and succeeded in taking the place, which they sacked. The inhabitants, men, women, and children, including the military, had in the meantime found an asylum on board the ship of war, which immediately after the capture of the town sailed for Auckland. The place was therefore abandoned, a few of the old colonists, with their families, whom the natives had taken under their protection, including the missionaries, being the only Europeans who ventured to remain after this disaster at the Bay of Islands.

When the 'Hazard' arrived at Auckland, bringing

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intelligence of our defeat, and of the fall and sacking of that settlement by the natives, a general want of confidence in all Maories was apprehended, and a panic for a short time ensued. St. Paul's church at Auckland, and the barracks at Fort Britomart, were the only places at that time considered ball-proof, being built of brick and stone, and in periods of alarm, the women and children, including the governor's wife and family, were frequently seen hastening for safety towards these places.

The sound policy of Governor FitzRoy's land measures was then made apparent, and the policy he adopted for conciliating and securing the co-operation of the natives produced results highly satisfactory. The Waikato natives, who were the most numerous and warlike in the country, including the great and powerful chief Te Whero Whero, on learning the disaster which had befallen us, at once offered their services to the Government for the defence of Auckland. The importance of this friendly disposition on the part of the Waikatos can hardly be over-estimated, and the confidence and security which it inspired cannot be described or fully comprehended, except by those who were exposed to the risks, sufferings, and vicissitudes of that eventful period. The governor maintained a courageous attitude, and took immediate measures to fortify and place Auckland in a condition to resist attacks, and secure the inhabitants from all apprehension of danger. He was well supported by the people; no despondency was manifested, but all classes assisted readily in raising works of defence. The writer of this sketch took in his turn, for a few hours every day, his share in digging a ditch and throwing up a rampart around

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Fort Britomart, and his right-hand fellow-labourer in the trenches was a barrister, the Hon. Mr. Bartley, subsequently President of the Legislative Council for many years, in the General Assembly of New Zealand. On one occasion a horseman, spurring and hot with haste, rode into the Fort, and gave the alarming intelligence, that a large party of hostile natives were advancing upon Auckland. My old friend and fellow-labourer, whose partiality for Shakspeare prevailed over all apprehension of danger, whirled his shovel over his head, and exclaiming in a style which John Kemble might have envied: 'Hang out our banners on the outward walls; the cry is still "They come!"' then pausing and looking at the unfinished and imperfect ramparts, added, 'Our castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn,' resumed his digging with renewed energy and vigour.

An outcry was raised against the conduct of the officers in command of the forces at the Bay of Islands when the settlement of Russell was taken and sacked by the natives, and Lieutenant Barclay, 96th Regiment, was tried by a court-martial on a charge of behaving ill before the enemy; and although the evidence in his defence was considered to be sufficient to exempt him from official censure or reprimand, it was at the same time of such a character as to leave an impression that his conduct was not in harmony with efficiency. Lieutenant Barclay was amiable and gentlemanlike, but not equal to such an emergency, and an officer of greater hardihood and more experience should have been selected for the command of a post of such importance and exposed to such perils.

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The officers and sailors of the 'Hazard' sloop of war were, however, as might have been expected, distinguished for their gallantry in repulsing the natives, as well as for their considerate humanity in offering their ship as an asylum to the military and the inhabitants when the town was taken. A sword, valued at one hundred guineas, was presented to Commander Robertson, by the inhabitants of Auckland, in testimony of their appreciation of his distinguished services.

The troops in the colony at that time, consisted of a detachment of the 96th Regiment under the command of Lieut.-Col. Hulme, and a small party of sappers, under the command of Captain Bennett of the Engineers. The total number did not exceed 150 men all told, and, of this force a detachment of sixty men had been for some time previously stationed at Wellington. The remaining force at Auckland was therefore hardly sufficient and could only act on the defensive. The formation of an expedition to proceed to the north, to quell the native insurrection, was therefore an effort requiring a force far beyond that which the governor had at his disposal, until a reinforcement of troops could be obtained from Sydney, which was the head-quarters of the military in the Australian Colonies, including New Zealand.

While the seat of government in the north was placed in this helpless condition, the company's settlements in the south were in no better position; and although not engaged in actual warfare, could afford no assistance to Auckland, as they were exposed to panics and alarms from the hostile attitude of the natives, who were apparently only waiting for a favourable opportunity to commence hostilities.

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Our defeat at the Wairau had damaged our prestige in the south as a superior race, which suffered still further from Heki's subsequent defeat of our troops in the north. A strong conviction was impressed upon the natives, that we were no match for them in war. It therefore became apparent, that the two extremities of the North Island must soon become the scene of military operations, and that our prestige could only be re-established by the advance of our troops in overwhelming force, and a defeat of the natives on their own system of warfare, and in their remote and hitherto supposed inaccessible positions. In the meantime, it was extremely fortunate that peace prevailed at Auckland, which is situated nearly in the centre of the North Island, and where the natives were the most numerous, as well as the most warlike. The fact of the powerful Waikato chiefs being on our side, was not without its weight and influence in restraining many tribes from joining the rebels, and inducing others to remain neutral in the approaching and inevitable contest betwixt the two races.

This condition of affairs without doubt was the result of misgovernment. Our policy, instead of being distinguished for its humanity and magnanimity towards an inferior race, exhibited the arbitrary and high-handed conduct of the company, which alienated and irritated them; while the disgraceful system of land-jobbing, practised both by the Government and the company, had created a strong impression on the minds of the chiefs that they were treated unjustly and without sufficient consideration; and when we had resorted to arms in order to overawe and coerce them into submission, our defeats and disasters, north

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and south, encouraged them to rise in rebellion, not so much against the sovereignty of the queen as against the unjust measures of the company and the Government in respect to their lands. In justice, however, to the memory of Captain FitzRoy, while recording his want of firmness in the administration of native affairs, at the same time his fearlessness in not shrinking from assuming responsibilities, when the welfare of the colony rendered it expedient, and his personal intrepidity in facing and encountering difficulties cannot be forgotten. These qualities were conspicuous features in his character and conduct, and when necessity as well as sound policy forced upon him measures antagonistic not only to the views of the company but to the traditions of the Colonial Office, he had the boldness to carry them into operation. In emergency, no faltering timidity impaired the force of his measures or embarrassed his government. On such occasions he resembled his maternal uncle, the famous Marquis of Londonderry, better known in the early part of this century in the British House of Commons as Lord Castlereagh.

As soon as the intelligence of the defeat of our troops at Russell was received in Sydney, Sir George Gipps, the Governor of New South Wales, with characteristic zeal and energy for the welfare of New Zealand, took immediate measures in co-operation with the commander of the forces, Lieutenant-General Sir Maurice O'Connell, to despatch a force to our relief; and a reinforcement of troops was embarked in a transport under orders to proceed with all expedition direct to Auckland. The head-quarters of the 58th Regiment, consisting of 400 men under the command of Major Bridge, were therefore landed at

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Auckland as early as practicable, and about the same time, the 'North Star,' a frigate of twenty-one guns under the command of Captain Sir Everard Home, reached her destination, and appeared at anchor in New Zealand waters.

The governor had now a force at his disposal which was considered sufficient to extinguish the native insurrection; an expedition was therefore equipped and despatched without delay to the north for that purpose. This force consisted of the 58th Regiment, under Major Bridge, a small detachment of the 96th Regiment, including a few Auckland militia, numbering all told about 500 men, the whole under Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme, who was in command of the expedition. This force was accompanied by the two ships of war, the 'North Star' and 'Hazard.'

Our troops were landed at the Bay of Islands, and advanced a short way into the interior of the country, in order to attack the natives under Johnny Heki, who, after plundering the settlement at Russell, had retired some twelve or fifteen miles inland, where he had built a pah or fortified post in a strong position. The troops, accompanied by a large party of loyal and friendly natives, under a distinguished chief, Nene Waka, advanced and took up a position on a hill in the vicinity and overlooking Heki's pah and the surrounding country; while the commanding officer remained at this post with the head-quarters and the reserve, a force advanced to reconnoitre the enemy's position; when they came within range of the enemy, Heki opened fire, and at the same time a party made a sally to attack them, from the pah, while simultaneously, another party of natives

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under a war-chief, Kaweti, who had been lying concealed in ambush in the long fern, now springing from their cover attacked our troops in the rear. The latter were therefore placed between two attacking parties from opposite directions at the same time. The commanding officer from the hill observing these movements of the enemy, ordered his bugler to sound the call for retreat, but retreat was now impossible. Lieutenant John M'Lerie, adjutant of the 58th Regiment, and the officer of the Navy in command of the sailors and marines, in the most gallant manner and contrary to orders then led their men to the attack of the party of natives under Kaweti, who were advancing in the most intrepid style, and engaged our troops in a hand-to-hand fight. M'Lerie and his gallant fellows succeeded however, after experiencing severe loss, in repulsing the attack of the enemy, which permitted our force to retire to the position of the head-quarters staff on the hill, without being exposed to the fire of Heki's musketry in the pah. The chief, Kaweti, led on his men most gallantly in this attack, in which four of his sons fell. The combat was maintained with great intrepidity on both sides, and Lieut. M'Lerie's capacity for command was no less conspicuous than his gallantry. Had he obeyed the order of his commanding officer, and retired without, in the first instance, engaging and repulsing the enemy, the little force under his command would have been routed and cut off.

Ensign Campbell, 96th Regiment, who had been in command of the blockhouse at the Flagstaff hill at Russell when taken by the Maories, made himself conspicuous on this occasion by being the only one

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of the force who retreated instead of fighting, in obedience to the orders of his commanding officer; and who, in his flight, had the marvellous good fortune to escape the bullets fired at him by both friends and foes.

This affair may be viewed as a specimen of the method of Maori warfare, and in this instance it was near proving successful. Nevertheless their operations were altogether of a defensive character, and as we had a force numerically as strong, and much better provided and equipped than they were, no reasonable grounds existed why all further operations against the enemy should cease, and the objects of the expedition be abandoned. The commanding officer however got alarmed, and, apprehending that his communication with the shipping might be intercepted, resolved to abandon all further military operations, and hastily returned with the troops to the Bay of Islands. This retreat was effected without interruption of any kind from the natives, and the whole of the forces were embarked for Auckland.

The failure of this expedition created immense sensation, and cast over the settlement a gloom and despondency never previously experienced. The governor naturally was much dissatisfied; and expressions of disappointment were heard from all parties. The writer of these reminiscences was present when the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme, landed at Auckland on his return, and assured those who had assembled to meet him 'that the force under his command was indebted to a merciful foe for its safe return.' Such was the termination of an expedition from which so much

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was expected, but we could never understand how such a force could have been in jeopardy.

It appeared however that Johnny Heki, at least in the estimation of some of the military, was a formidable and clever fellow. At the same time, we had the satisfaction of knowing that Auckland was safe, with such a force for its protection; but no further military operations were to be taken against the enemy, until a further reinforcement of troops could be obtained from the head-quarters in Sydney. In those days steam communication did not exist, and a delay of some weeks ensued before we could receive a reply to our application for further assistance, as Sydney is 1,200 miles distant by sea from Auckland. In the meanwhile, our allies the Waikato natives remained firm and faithful to us, although our repeated disasters and uniform want of success in our military operations were sufficient to dispirit them, and shake their confidence in us. These natives came in large numbers every day to Auckland, expressing their sympathy and offering their services, but they did not appear to be so much concerned about the condition of affairs as we were. They were familiar with a state of hostilities, and their young men, who had few amusements in peaceful times, enjoyed war for its excitement and occupation.

Governor FitzRoy did not, however, accept their services, as he wished to show them that he could put down the insurrection without their assistance. In this view I thought he was wrong at the time, and I think so now; as no force is superior to the natives for irregular warfare in New Zealand, and their loyalty is beyond suspicion. Only a small section of the natives had joined Heki, his followers being limited

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to the Gnapui tribe, who at one time were very powerful, being the first of the natives who, under the celebrated chief and warrior, Shonghi, had obtained muskets and gunpowder. But now Heki could not muster more than 500 men, and his force never exceeded that number, while our ally at the Bay of Islands, the chief Nene Waka, could bring nearly as many men into the field as Johnny Heki, and these were men who from that time till the present have never swerved in their loyalty.

Under such circumstances Heki had the penetration to understand where his strength lay, and how it could be employed to the greatest advantage. He was satisfied that he could not resist our forces in the open field, and his sagacity pointed out to him the only method in which he could have a chance to hold out against us. He was just intelligent enough to observe that our arms were only muskets, very similar to his own, and was totally ignorant of the power of artillery; he therefore considered that he was safe in adopting a defensive plan in his operations, and with sound common sense employed his people in building a pah or fort, in a remote and advantageous position, in order to effect their escape if necessary. Having selected a convenient spot for this purpose, they set to work; and in their simple style of warfare took all measures which their skill could suggest to prepare for its defence.

The skill and science displayed by the Maories in the construction of a pah, cannot be excelled by civilised engineers, and the expeditious and effective manner in which they erect palisades, dig a ditch, throw up ramparts, and honeycomb the ground into rifle pits, is quite marvellous. Everyone may have

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observed how active and busy bees appear around a bee-hive or sleep, when engaged on a fine day in their labour, and what a picture of energy and industry is exhibited by ants in conducting their operations in the vicinity of an ant hill; but neither bees nor ants surpass in indefatigable vigour, force, and perseverance, the Maories when they set to work con amore to build a pah. On such occasions, the method of conducting their operations forcibly reminds us of Virgil's unrivalled and beautiful passage in the first book of the AEneid, in which he describes the zeal, skill, and enterprise displayed by Queen Dido and her people in building Carthage, and constructing works of defence; a scene which appeared so attractive and interesting to AEneas and his companions, when they visited that place in their flight and voyage to Italy, after the fall and destruction of Troy.

In the hasty retreat of our forces from their position in front of Heki's pah, the Maories fortunately did not venture to attack them. It is probable that the loss they had sustained in their combat with M'Lerie and his gallant fellows, had convinced them of our superiority in the open field. Heki, however, deemed it prudent to remove to a stronger position, and therefore selected a site for a pah at Ohaiawai, in order to be prepared for us, as he rightly anticipated that we were making every effort to collect a large force to attack him.

At this time the condition of the colony, both north and south, was truly deplorable. Every class experienced hardships and privations, and it was only that stubborn enduring spirit which is characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race which enabled the colonists

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to hold together amidst such disasters and difficulties, and persevere in the attempt to found settlements. The great resources of the New Zealand Company were nearly exhausted, and in the south the pressure arising from restricted funds, as well as from the hostility of the natives, had reduced the condition of every one to a state bordering on actual suffering. Affairs in the north were still more depressed, and the colonists there were reduced to a condition of barter, as the coins of the realm, like the wealth referred to in Scripture, had taken wings and had flown away. I remember the great Waikato chief, Te Whero Whero, in one of his visits to Auckland, remarking to me, 'I believe you Pakias are a great nation, but there is one thing I cannot understand; how it is that the queen won't give the governor money.' Now here was an old chief utterly ignorant of the principles of political economy, but who from native sagacity discerned that money was power; and the circumstance of the governor being left without money, as he believed by the queen, impaired his confidence in the Government, and weakened his faith in our supremacy. The old chief said, 'I can foresee that Johnny Heki will be beaten and an end put to the war; but without money the queen can never govern the Maories, and hold the country.'

By their great parliamentary influence the New Zealand Company had, however, prevailed on the Imperial Government to withhold all pecuniary aid from New Zealand, as they hoped by such means to prevent the colonial Government from buying native lands, and so becoming not only the exclusive colonising power, but the supreme authority in the administration of public affairs.

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The fame of Johnny Heki's success in resisting our forces had now travelled over all the neighbouring colonies and assistance was received from many places. Major Wilmot, R. A., arrived from Hobart Town, where his father, Sir Eardley Wilmot, was then residing as governor of Tasmania. This officer will be long remembered in New Zealand, as he was distinguished for intelligence, science, and gallantry. At that time he was attached to the Imperial forces, but not serving with the staff of the colonial troops, he therefore offered his services as a volunteer, and, as he had brought with him two old guns, six-pounders, his services as well as the guns were very acceptable. On every occasion during the war, Major Wilmot's conduct was conspicuous for skill and bravery; and some years afterwards, when the intelligence reached New Zealand of his being killed in action at the Cape, universal regret was expressed for his early death. Among the many officers who served in the colony, not one of them, in those qualities which distinguish the gallant soldier and accomplished gentleman, excelled the noble-hearted, talented, and intrepid Lieut.-Col. Wilmot.

In those times of emergency, the zeal, energy, and administrative ability of Sir George Gipps, Governor of New South Wales, rendered him conspicuous, and the expeditious manner in which he despatched troops and munitions of war to our assistance will be long remembered by the colonists. As soon, therefore, as the failure of Lieut.-Col. Hulme's expedition was known in Sydney, Colonel Despard, at that time in command of the 99th Regiment, was appointed colonel oh the staff, and despatched forthwith to take command of the

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troops in New Zealand. This officer arrived in Auckland as early as practicable, accompanied by his staff and an additional reinforcement of troops, consisting of 200 men of his own regiment. The force now at the disposal of the governor consisted of the headquarters 58th Regiment, detachments of the 96th and 99th Regiments, a few sappers, and Major Wilmot with his two guns; forming all told, including a small party of Auckland Militia, a field force of 800 men. Colonel Despard was a good and gallant soldier, his regiment a model of discipline, and its appearance on parade a picture of efficiency, but he had no pretensions to skill or science in war. The expedition to the north was despatched in good order and in excellent condition, accompanied by three ships of war. The troops were landed at the Bay of Islands, and, accompanied by a reinforcement of loyal natives under the chief Nene Waka, advanced about fifteen miles inland without experiencing interruption of any kind from the natives. Our forces proceeded to Ohaiawai, where Heki had built his pah, and as the Maories had no other arms than muskets, our troops approached unmolested by the enemy, and took up a position within 300 or 400 yards of the pah, on a small knoll or rising ground, commanding a view of the enemy's fort and neighbourhood. The country was open, except on the side where the pah was situated, which partly bordered on a wood. The ground between the two positions was level, or undulating, but covered with tall fern, and intersected by a small stream on one side, which supplied the pah with water. The period of the year was midwinter, but even in this season the temperature is mild and inclemency of the weather does not inter-

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rupt operations in the field; the only inconvenience experienced was from the rain, which, in that season usually falls frequently and often in torrents. No circumstances were however allowed to retard the progress of the gallant colonel, who was resolved immediately to attack Heki and extinguish the insurrection. He was now face to face with the enemy, and he must be allowed the highest praise for the expeditious manner in which he had brought his force, to their position. He was high in hope, as he had experienced no difficulties, apprehended no danger, and anticipated an early and complete defeat of the Maories, with the prospect of an immediate return in triumph to Sydney with the troops.

Major Wilmot, R. A., was therefore ordered to commence firing on the pah with his guns in order to make a breach in its palisades, but this operation was found, from the strength of the works, to be more difficult than was anticipated, and, from the small size and limited number of the guns, tedious if not impracticable; under such circumstances the colonel in command became impatient, then irritated, and would hear of no further delay. In this state of mind he ordered the pah to be attacked by the troops; Major Wilmot informed him there was no breach as yet practicable for troops to enter. The storming party was however told off, and a reserve force was held ready to co-operate in case of necessity. The chief Nene Waka and our native allies looked on in amazement at this proceeding and foretold its failure.

Major Macpherson, 99th Regiment, was in command of the storming party, accompanied by Lieutenant Phillpotts, R. N., with a party of sailors and marines

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provided with ladders and axes, in order to attempt to force their way into the pah if no breach was practicable. The attacking column advanced with the usual intrepidity of British soldiers; the distance to the pah was short, but the glacis afforded no shelter, and when the cloud of smoke from the first irregular and rolling volley of the enemy within the pah cleared off, the ground in front of it was already covered with a number of our fallen, and Major Macpherson, the gallant leader of the column, had fallen severely wounded a short distance from the palisades. Lieutenant Beattie was found lying mortally wounded a few yards in advance of him; Phillpotts was killed close up to the pah, when attempting to force his way through the barricades, and Captain Grant, 58th Regiment, fell just as he reached them. In a very few minutes, eighty-five men had fallen, thirty-five of whom were killed. Safe behind the palisades the Maories had waited our approach; and when the column advanced within a short distance of them, the first rolling volley from their double-barrelled guns loaded with ball was irresistible. It was impossible under such circumstances for our troops to enter the pah; there was no breach, and it was surrounded by two rows of palisades ten feet high, the intervening space betwixt the rows being divided into compartments in such a manner as to prevent any one ever getting out, if they had succeeded in getting over the first line. As we had no artillery to batter down such defences, the only effective method would have been to run a sap up to the palisades, and blow them up with gunpowder. After the storming party had retired, Lieut.-Col. Hulme with the reserve was ordered to advance

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in order to gather up and remove from the field the wounded and dead, which service was performed unmolested by the enemy.

The Maories in the pah expressed much regret for the death of Lieutenant Phillpotts, as he was well known to them, and they would have spared him if he had not shown such a determination to break through the palisades. His career was that of a brave man, and his gallantry fascinated the Maories. He was a son of the late Bishop of Exeter, and his death was lamented by the colonists.

The failure of this attack convinced the colonel in command that the Maories understood where their strength lay. This system of defence, practised by brave and uncivilised people, exposes British troops to severe loss when led on in their hot blood and cold steel attacks, without skill and science in war. The failure of this attack was merely the result of a misconception of the relative powers, and protection, of the attacking and defending forces: both sides were armed alike; the one, however, was safe behind impassable barricades, while the other was exposed to the cool, concentrated aim and deadly fire of the enemy.

Our native allies were now employed to harass and impede the besieged in obtaining provisions and supplies, while Major Wilmot kept up a constant fire of shot and shell on the pah. This operation imposed on the enemy great labour and fatigue, in repairing the breaches made by our shot; while, at the same time, they were held in a state of constant dread of being attacked by our troops, at all hours of the day and night. Worn out and harassed, they at last, without our knowledge, abandoned the pah on a

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dark night. When the fact was revealed the next morning, our troops walked in and took possession. Some time elapsed before it was known to what part of the country Heki had retired.

Governor FitzRoy's colonial career was now drawing to a conclusion, as he had received a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, advising him of his recall as governor; he, therefore, from this period, remained inactive, and only held office until the arrival of his successor. Whatever may have been the divergence of opinions respecting Captain FitzRoy's policy, universal sympathy and regret were expressed for Mrs. FitzRoy, who has long since passed away to that mysterious and silent land --the undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveller returns. Of all our Colonial Governors' wives she was the most gifted and graceful, being not only remarkably handsome, but from her easy and dignified behaviour, highly fascinating in society, and possessing that inexpressible charm, which distinguishes the refined, accomplished, and kind-hearted gentlewoman.

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