CHAPTER II. Preparations for an outbreak...
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CHAPTER II.
Preparations for an outbreak--Martial Law proclaimed--Arrival of the Governor with Colonel Gold and reinforcements--Maori Conference, Governor's Address --Troops march to the Waitara--Attack on the L Pa.
ALTHOUGH the possibility of a war breaking out between the Maori and his white neighbour had been spoken of, it was not until late in February that any sign of immediate conflict made its appearance; and then it was generally believed that a demonstration of force would suffice to convince the Maori that the Governor was determined to assert Her Majesty's supremacy.
For a considerable period had the formation of a land league been swelling into importance; a King had been elected and placed upon a throne, as a centre from which should issue laws for the government of the Maori. To render this union still stronger, it had been the strenuous endeavour of the supporters of the King movement to prevent the purchase of land by the English.
Wiremu Kingi, although not at the time an acknowledged subject of King Potatau, wished effectually to put a stop to the acquirement of territory by the Governor; consequently, he came forward as a chief and vetoed the sale of a plot of ground belonging to Teira. Such a state of affairs could not last; consequently, in February, 1860, after due notice to the natives, the surveyors, accompanied, by one chainman only, proceeded to the Waitara for the purpose of surveying the external boundary of the land sold by Teira to his
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Excellency the Governor some twelve months before. The surveyors were prevented from carrying out their object by a body of unarmed natives.
After this, Lieut.-Colonel Murray, the commander of the Forces then at Taranaki, addressed a letter to the natives without attaining any satisfactory result; accordingly, a proclamation of Martial Law was issued, asserting her Majesty's sovereign authority against natives in arms to resist it.
All this could not take place without creating much excitement both amongst the European and native population. For some days before the proclamation of Martial Law, the settlers were busily engaged in carting their effects into town, whilst every endeavour was made for rapidly gathering in the abundant harvest with which the country had been blessed. Meetings were also convened for the purpose of selecting spots suited for the erection of rude but substantial fortifications.
At this period the force under Colonel Murray consisted of 200 of the 65th and 110 Taranaki Volunteer Rifles, which being deemed insufficient for the anticipated emergency, directions were given for the immediate embodying the whole of the Militia for active service, every man between the ages of eighteen and sixty being bound to serve.
In the meantime, the inhabitants of the Hua and Bell Block with heart and will set to work, and in a very short space of time completed an entrenched blockhouse with two bastion towers, capable of sheltering and protecting 30 or 40 men. The building is situated on the summit of a hill commanding the main Waitara road, between three and four miles to the North of the town.
The settlers on the Omata side were not long in following the example thus set them; a large stockade, with flanking angles, was at once planned and completed, the site chosen being a rounded hill some four miles from the town.
These were, indeed, exciting times; every man, no matter what his rank, being fully employed either as sentinel, working at the forts, or in carting effects from the country. The prevalent feeling was, that the homesteads and farms which had cost so much labour
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and capital to bring into culture, would soon become, from non-occupation and the spread of noxious weeds, worse than the wilderness from which they had been redeemed; and yet every one appeared ready and determined to co-operate with the Governor.
Thursday, March 1st, 1860, the Airedale arrived from Auckland with Governor Browne and suite, accompanied by Colonel Gold, an extensive military staff, and 200 rank and file of the 65th. The same day H. M. S. S. Niger dropped her anchor in the roadstead. The first step of the Governor was to issue the following proclamation in Maori, a translation of which is given in full, as it tends to explain both the origin and justness of the war:--
[TRANSLATION.]
"1. When the Pakehas first came to Taranaki there were no Natives at the Waitara. The Ngatiawa had been dispossessed by the Waikato.
"2. The Waikato transferred their rights to the Government and received a payment for the land.
"3. Afterwards the Ngatiawa returned and occupied the land: the Government acquiesced in this occupation.
"4. In March, 1859, some of these occupants, Te Teira and others, openly offered to sell to the Government their claims to a portion of the land at the Waitara.
"5. Wiremu Kingi opposed this offer, and said that no land at the Waitara should be sold. But the "mana" of the land was not with Wiremu Kingi, and he had no right to forbid the sale of any land which did not belong to him personally.
"6. The Queen has said that all the natives shall be free to sell their lands to her, or to keep them--as they may think best. None may compel the Maori people to sell their lands, nor may any forbid their doing so.
"7. Wiremu Kingi sets his word above the Queen's, and says, though the rightful owners of the land may wish to sell, he will not allow them to do so.
"8. The Governor cannot allow Wiremu Kingi's word to set aside the words of the Queen.
"9. The Governor has said that he will not allow land to be
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bought, the title to which is disputed. He has also said that he will not allow interference with the rightful owners in the sale of their lands. When land is offered, the title to which is clear, the Governor will use his own discretion in accepting or declining the offer.
"10. The Governor accepted Te Teira's offer conditionally on its being shewn that he had an indisputable title.
"11. Te Teira's title has been carefully investigated and found to be good. It is not disputed by any one. The Governor cannot, therefore, allow Wiremu Kingi to interfere with Te Teira in the sale of his own land.
"12. Payment for the land has been received by Te Teira. It now belongs to the Queen.
"13. Wiremu Kingi has interfered to prevent the survey of the Queen's land by her own surveyors. This interference will not be permitted.
"14. The Governor has given his word to Te Teira and he will not go back from it. The land has been bought and must be surveyed. The Queen's soldiers will protect the surveyors. If Wiremu Kingi interferes again and mischief follow, the evil will be of his own seeking.
"15. The Governor desires peace. It depends upon Wiremu Kingi whether there shall be peace or not. If he ceases to interfere with what is not his own he will be treated as a friend, and there will be peace."
Closely following this, a meeting took place between the Maoris and the Governor, who, after stating how anxious he was to see the Natives become a happy and civilized people, told them boldly and determinedly that, had he been in New Zealand when Katatore slew Rawiri, he would have had him arrested and brought before the judge, and, if the judge had sentenced him to be hanged, he would have caused him to be hanged. The Governor also stated that the Maoris would be wise to sell the land they cannot use themselves, as it would make what they could use more valuable than the whole; but that he never would consent to buy land without an undisputed title. He would not permit any one to interfere in the sale of land unless he owned part of it; on the other hand, he would buy no
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man's land without his consent. This fair and open conduct on the part of the Governor had little or no effect on the Waitara natives. At this meeting William King, who in 1859 had acted in a most insolent manner in the presence of the Governor, did not make his appearance; consequently, Mr Parris and Mr Rogan, the native interpreters, were bearers of a message requesting him to come and see his Excellency. They met the chief at Kairoa, and in reply to the Governor's invitation, he stated that he would take time to consider, and, after consulting his people, would make known his intention. After this, he wrote, offering to meet the Governor at the Tima pa, the stronghold of his staunchest and most unscrupulous supporters.
Notwithstanding that every precaution had been taken for protection in the case of need by the European population, it was not the general impression that hostilities would ensue.
On Sunday, March 4th, the quietude of the Sabbath was broken by the unwonted bustle and preparation for the morrow's march of the troops, His Excellency having come to the determination of forcibly occupying Teira's land. On the Monday morning the troops, 400 in number, preceded by the mounted escort, and accompanied by two field-pieces and light baggage train, under the immediate command of Colonel Gold, marched for the land in dispute, passing the Bell Block and crossing the Mangoraka at its junction with the Waiongana. On reaching Ikamoana, a spot which bears record to many sanguinary battles amongst the natives, skirmishers were thrown out to the right and left, in order to guard against the possibility of surprise from any ambuscade in the high fern. In this manner, without let or hindrance, the Waitara was reached. The Union Jack was found floating over King's pa, where it had been planted by the sailors from the Niger. Shortly after the troops left town, H. M. S. S. Niger, having embarked the Governor, with extra guns and heavy baggage, steamed to the Waitara, and succeeded in landing the greater part of the camp equipage prior to the arrival of the troops by land.
The withdrawal from the town of 400 soldiers reduced the military protection to one subaltern and a few men. Lieut.-Colonel Murray, who was left in charge of the town, immediately organised from the
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Militia and Volunteer forces a system of outlying picquets, whilst most of the guards usually kept by the soldiers were undertaken by the same force.
The provision carts that started the next morning for the Waitara, under the escort of the Mounted Volunteers, were stopped by the natives, who, during the night, had erected an obstacle across the road. After a detention of some time they were allowed to pass on. The Governor, on receiving intimation of this, sent Mr Parris with the following notice:--
"To the Chief who obstructs the Queen's Road.
"You have presumed to block up the Queen's road, and to stop the free passage of persons going and coming; this is levying war against the Queen. Destroy the places you have built; ask my forgiveness and you shall receive it. If you refuse, the blood of your people be on your own head. I shall fire upon you in twenty minutes from this if you have not obeyed my order."
The period allowed having elapsed, Colonel Gold, accompanied with Captain Cracroft, of the Niger, and 307 rank and file of the 65th, advanced towards the pa that had been erected by King on Teira's land, and found, on approaching, that it had but just been vacated. The troops destroyed it, and returned to the camp, where they were employed in clearing away the high fern and in strengthening their position.
From the South reports were afloat that the natives contemplated joining King. The number of enemies thus accumulating around rendered it imperative that some means should be adopted to distinguish our friends from foes. This was effected by means of printed passes; and an order was issued that no Maoris should pass either the Bell Blockhouse or the Omata Stockade without presenting one. Far and near now the news began to spread of the war in Taranaki, and the feelings of the natives to evince themselves. Some promised their assistance to King, whilst others tendered their allegiance to the Queen, and two chiefs of Wanganui wrote, disapproving of King's actions. In order to ensure the absence of traitors in the camp, a declaration was drawn out to the effect, that those who signed it
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would swear allegiance to the Queen, and be willing at all times to take up arms in assertion of her authority; and that they would, furthermore, bind themselves to give no assistance or information to her Majesty's enemies.
From the Waitara the news was unimportant, King being quietly engaged in erecting strongholds on Teira's land, awaiting, in all probability, the return of the couriers that had been sent to Waikato for assistance.
Friday, March 16th, the officer commanding having completed his arrangements, the natives were ordered to leave the block, with a threat of attacking the pa if they refused.
Saturday, March 17th, was the unfortunate day that witnessed the first shedding of blood in this province between the two races. Colonel Gold having first sent Mr Parris to ascertain whether the pa was really situated on the disputed land, advanced with the troops, supported by the artillery, to the attack, on learning that it was erected some distance within the boundary.
Although the excitement from the booming of the artillery was great in town, it did not equal that experienced in aftertimes, when wives, sisters, and parents, listened with tearful anxiety to the distant reports, none knowing whose lot it might be ere nightfall to mourn the loss of some dear one. To a community such as ours, accustomed to the peaceful occupations of agriculture, it was a sad sight to see, as was the case in later days, the slain or wounded bodies of friends or relatives borne through the town.
But to continue with the attack on the pa. Prior to the firing of the first gun, Colonel Gold again addressed a letter, ordering the insurgents to move off the Queen's land, and warning them of the consequence of refusal. This they would not even receive.
One of the mounted escort, who had ridden out to reconnoitre the country around returned and reported the pa to be very strong, double palisaded, with ditch and galleries.
The artillery having been planted in a commanding position on a mound, opened fire with rockets and shell, which was answered by small arms from three faces of the pa; the natives at the same time dancing the war-dance and running up their fighting flag.
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The constant fire which had been kept up for some time after awhile altogether ceased, and it was supposed that the pa had been forsaken. Under this impression two or three of the Mounted Volunteers made a dash at the flag, endeavouring to rend it from the staff, when a volley was poured upon them from every face. Those at the palisading escaped unhurt with a portion of the flag; but Sarten, who was gallopping away, receiving a dangerous wound, fell from his horse. He succeeded, however, in crawling a short distance, when he was gallantly met and carried beyond the reach of the fire by a sailor and a private of the 65th. During the attack two privates of the 65th were also wounded, one of whom shortly afterwards died, whilst poor Sarten, the first victim amongst our unfortunate settlers, survived his wound a few weeks only.
The artillery, on again opening fire, soon silenced the enemy. Night-time now approaching, the skirmishers were withdrawn, and the troops formed in close column. As darkness came on the enemy opened a heavy fire, in the face of which a parallel was thrown up to protect the men, who slept on their arms during the night. At daybreak three guns were fired from the pa. Early dawn on the Sunday morning the skirmishers and artillery advanced, the sappers throwing up a second, and then a third parallel, within 50 yards of the pa. A practical breach being now effected, Lieutenant McNaughten, with the remainder of the troops, rushed in and found the pa had been some time forsaken. It was left, no doubt, when the three guns were fired, indicative of defiance.
From its external shape this fortification has been termed the L pa. It was 110 feet long and 33 feet wide. The ditches were five feet wide and four deep, covered with a framework of split timber, with about two feet of fern and earth on the top. These communicated with chambers excavated out of the red earth. A large quantity of provisions were found in the interior of the pa. Of such strength was this fortification that it was not razed to the ground until the troops had spent many hours of hard labour on it.
Thus ended the first conflict with the enemy, without the attainment of any practical benefit. It is well known to have been possible with the available force to have surrounded the pa, so as to have
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thrown King and his adherents into our power. Why this was not done, in all probability, an explanation will be demanded at some future day. The natives, from being enabled thus easily to effect their retreat, in place of considering themselves conquered, boast of being the victors.
A native, who was in the pa during the attack, states that, of the seventy defenders, some few were wounded, but none killed; and that King and his people had retired farther up the Waitara river to Hapurona's stronghold.
