Te Kopara 28
[3] Te Kopara, Number 28, Gisborne, 15 February, 1916.
‘Iti te Kopara, kai takirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea.’
Although the Bellbird is small, he plucks at the Kahikatea. [cf Nga Pepeha 908]
NEWS FROM ABROAD OF THE FIGHTING.
London, 30th January.
Abe Bailey, a South African millionaire, is sending one hundred sharpshooters to Europe to help the Allies.
Copenhagen, 30th January.
The people of Germany have been ordered to kill all dogs; only the rare breeds are to be spared. The flesh is to be used as food and the skins are to be made into clothes for the soldiers.
London, 30th January.
In his speech, Lloyd George said: ‘I am convinced that victory will be ours in this war, because the Allies are working as one. France, Russia and Italy are gathering together their soldiers and we are doing the same. Three million of us are at present bearing arms, and another million will be in readiness by the Spring.’
London, 30th January.
The Prime Minister gave these figures in the house for the soldiers who are fighting under English command.
In France
Officers Men Total
Killed 5,318 92,120 87,428
Wounded 10,217 245,990 357,207
Missing 1,691 52,344 54,038
At Gallipoli (Turkey)
Killed 1,745 26,455 28,200
Wounded 3,143 74,852 78,095
Missing 362 10,901 11,264
Other Places
Killed 918 11,752 12,670
Wounded 816 15,165 15,281
Missing 363 10,901 11,264
24,222 522,325 546,547
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Petrograd, 28th January.
A girl of seventeen has been awarded the Saint George’s Cross. Twenty Germans arrived at her father’s farm in Courland. One of the officers said that if she did not provide them with wine to drink she would be raped and the farm set on fire. This young person quickly fetched two casks of wine that were lying in the wine cellar. But before she brought them she put in them some powder to make the wine very intoxicating. Before long the Germans had drunk it and become drunk, they tossed about and fell asleep. Then the girl began to gather up the rifles and other things. When her father arrived he joined her in tying up the hands and the feet. He went to get cold water to wake them. When the Germans woke they discovered that they were tied up. They were sad. They were sad about thy way they had been caught in the trap.
Rome, 30th January.
The Kaiser has postponed his visit to Nice and Constantinople. It was discovered that there was a plan to assassinate him.
London, 30th January.
Rear-Admiral Sir David Beatty wrote to the Bible Society saying: ‘It is true that God has not sent this war upon the world in order to shed blood. But there is a purpose in it, which is to stir up people’s faith. In France now there has been a real awakening of faith and the same is true in Russia. But England is still trusting in its authority in all parts and boasting about itself. If England abandons this attitude and if there is a real spiritual awakening then that is when the war will end. If we look forward with humble hearts and heartfelt prayers are on our lips then we will know that the days are near when this war will end.’
London, 1st February.
According to Warner-Allen, war correspondent of the French Army, 200,000 Germans were killed or wounded during the month.
Odessa, 1st February.
Russia has taken total control of the Black Sea now. Its warships have sunk 1500 enemy ships. The total value of them was 16,000,000 pounds. The southern and eastern coasts of the Bosphorus are graveyards for many hundreds of Turkish ships.
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New York, 1st February.
In his speech at Milwaukee, President Wilson of America said, ‘Things are not bad but when the world is aflame and sparks are flying you have to be watchful lest they set your fire alight.’
If the details of the sinking of the Lusitania are not yet clear, it is certain that the bonds between America and Germany will be cut. Information received says that things are looking very bleak now and the people are aware of what has happened.
New York, 1st February.
The Newport News says that one of the passenger ships of the South African Company, the Appam, has been captured by one of the German raiders [SMS Möwe] off the Canary Islands on 15th January. There are 451 people on board, some are German prisoners. That ship has docked at Norfolk, Virginia, under the German flag. All the passengers are well.
The English Ambassador there has issued a warning to the English Company of America.
London, 1st February.
There are 109,000 women working in munitions factories now, setting free the men for other important work or to teach them.
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Wellington, 31st January.
After the charge of the Maori warrior company at Gallipoli on 6th and 8th August when many died, the Maori People are very sad to hear that the survivors have been dispersed amongst the Pakeha companies. We have received news that the reason is that so many of the Maori company died because they did not listen to the orders given to them, but that objection is untrue. But it is now clear that these are the only ones who have been moved from the Maori company. Some of the Maori officers have arrived and have returned to the battle; only one being left behind. It has now become very clear to those in charge that whatever allegations were made against the Maori officers, they were wrong. It is very clear that Maori are committed to helping the Empire in this conflict.
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The mourning group for Wi Pere and some others have returned to Te Wairoa. In March they will go to Wellington and to the Tai-Hauauru.
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ORDINATIONS.
Three men from the School were ordained Deacon on 19th December – Wiremu Tureia of the Diocese of Waiapu and Poihipi Tokoroa and Henare Paraone of the Diocese of Auckland. Patihana Kokiri of the Parish of Moteo, Hawkes Bay, was ordained Priest. Wiremu Tureia has been appointed by the Bishop to the Parish of Whangara. Poihipi Tokoroa has gone to Wairoa North to work under the Rev Wiki Te Paa. Henare Paraone has been appointed to an area of Waikato.
CLERGY MOVEMENTS.
These ministers have been moved by the Bishop: the Rev Waaka of Taupo has been moved to Tauranga, and the Rev Manihera has gone to Taupo; the Rev Wikiriwhi of Rotorua has been moved to Opotiki. The Bishop has obviously done this as part of his plan since he has had the Rev Hakaraia Pahewa and the Rev Pine Tamahori exchange parishes though it is not known how long or short will be their absences from their parishes. The Rev W P Rangihuna has been sent by the Bishop to help the Pakeha minister of Tauranga during February.
A LARGE HUI AT MERCER, WAIKATO.
It was a great day here last Christmas involving all the tribes of Waikato. Te Rata and Te Heuheu Tukino, besides other leading chiefs of Waikato, came. Had Wi Pere not died at that time it is likely that even more people would have attended. Sir Timi Kara and Lady Kara and the Hon A T Ngata planned to be present but were unable to because Wi was lying in state. The ministers who led the worship were the Revs. Hori Raiti, Poihipi Tokoroa, and Kakuere; Taite Te Tomo was their layman. There was much praise for all that was done at this hui, including how the matter for which the hui was called was dealt with. It does not take long to explain the purpose of this large hui. The object was to gather together Waikato to find out whether or not they wished to help in this war. Most of the other large hapu of the country are helping; only Waikato and most of Ngapuhi are staying out. Waikato did not discuss this matter for long because there is one spokesman who expresses their views, their king, ‘king’ Rata. The ‘king’ said, We should no longer stay out of this war but should help.’ All of Waikato supported the words of their head. Well done, Waikato! Truly well done!
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STORIES FROM THE WAR.
General Townshend.
The accounts of General Townshend and his troops are distressing. News has emerged that they are surrounded by the Turks at a town called Kut-el-Amara. General Townshend is English. The troops fighting under him are half from England and half from India. They were not troubled at being surrounded. News is that the have been fighting for six weeks to escape from enemy hands. A relief army under General Aylmer is making its way from Russia. The last news we heard was that it would take General Aylmer ten days to reach the place where General Townshend is besieged. All eyes in the world are now on General Aylmer’s army as it travels to save General Townshend and his men. It is unavoidable that there will be a great loss of men. General Townshend and his men have now been travelling and fighting in this area for fourteen months. It is a very inhospitable place for Pakeha. The whole world is amazed at how this army has fought so stalwartly against the large Turkish armies. The total number of them wounded is 5,000, and 1,300 have been taken prisoner.
THE CONSCRIPTION BILL [lit The Bill which urges people to go to the war.]
You are probably aware that this important Bill is being considered in England at this time. The purpose is that if this law is passed then a man will not be able to object but all men who are called up must go whether unmarried or married. But there will be those who are permitted to stay at home if they have good reasons. The Bill has had three readings in the Lower House. At the last reading it was supported by 386 with 36 opposing it. After two readings in the House of Lords it will all be passed. Some of the [word missing - ?clauses] were opposed but it appears that this Bill will pass and not be defeated. The Archbishop of Canterbury strongly supports this Bill.
NURSE CAVELL
We would remind you of the killing by Germany of Nurse Cavell which was reported by Te Kopara before. The news now is that the man who revealed that woman’s work of mercy has been killed. The name
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of that man is ‘Cels.’ When he was found he had two stab wounds in his body. Cels was a Belgian but his real work was as a spy. He was in the Belgian army but he was paid by Germany. The Belgians thought that in guiding them he was doing right, but no, he was rather leading them to defeat. He alone gave evidence against Nurse Cavell during her trial. When the name of Cels became known the great majority of Belgians said that he got his reward for what he did.
OTHER NEWS.
India is doing a great deal to help with the war. And no-one is doing more to help that the Native Rulers of India. Some of them have set up a factory for making guns, bullets, and other munitions. And the amount being donated to purchase aeroplanes is increasing. Forty-five thousand pounds has been donated so far and 20 aeroplanes (flying ships) have been acquired with this money.
A major battle was to have taken place between the Allies and Germany and its supporters over Salonika. The Allies are occupying the city. The news we have received is that no battle will take place soon because of the arrival of snow and storms, and the enemy is not keen to start for fear of dying in the snow. However if they do engage with one another here it will be a terrible battle.
The skill of the Generals and the officers under them in pulling all the armies out of Gallipoli has been wonderful. There was not a single problem. The names of those whom the Prime Minister said he was recommending to the King to be given major awards are: General Sir Charles Monro, Admiral de Robeck, General Wemyss, General Birdwood, General Davies.
In a letter from one of the soldiers from Wellington to his family in Masterton he said: ‘Our stretcher-bearers are very good, real men. But during the final intense conflict at the Dardanelles many of us fell. And one of the stretcher-bearers was shot by a mad English officer who mistakenly thought he was a Turkish spy. I suspect that this matter will not be taken up but left to disappear. The man who was shot was from New Plymouth.’
FOOD FOR TE KOPARA.
Pita Pokia, 5/- to 6/-, to April 1919; Hapi Kiniha, 5/-, to February 1914; Hori Mahua, 5/-, to June 1916; Tamati Muhu, 5/-, to September 1916.
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A DREADFUL MURDER IN AUCKLAND.
An Auckland waterside worker, Horatio Ramsden, was murdered. The place he was murdered was the western side of Mount Eden, the highest hill in Auckland. The man who murdered him is being sought and has not yet been found. The murder took place about 9 o’clock at night on Saturday, 22nd January. All that is known of this murder is that Ramsden was stabbed by the murderer who then ran. He could not be seen in the dark. The murdered man’s home was a two-storey house close to Mount Eden. The three people living in the house were Ramsden, his younger brother, and their mother. Ramsden was 25 and his brother 17. In the week of Christmas Ramsden and his brother went to Rotorua. While they were there a letter arrived from their mother saying that she was unwell and was unable to sleep. Two weeks before the murder she spoke to her children and said, ‘my whole body is trembling as if something terrible is going to happen to one of you, to Ramsden.’ The response he made to his mother was that he would be very careful at his work on the wharf so that nothing bad happened. When he returned from work on the Thursday night he looked very strange, and his mother asked him why he looked like that. Then the young man said that he had gone to meet a man, someone who was a complete stranger to him, and he did not see him. Then he said that perhaps they would meet on Saturday night, the night he was murdered. On that Saturday night the police came to their home. When they came the mother knew that something bad had happened to her son. When they came she thought of one of her sons and said, ‘ Rach has been killed,’ this is one of Ramsden’s names. The police had come to get a photo of Ramsden. The police are till investigating this murder and the man who did it.
ANOTHER TERRIBLE MURDER IN AUCKLAND.
On 3rd December last, a half-caste called Rawhiatua Gordon killed his wife and son in a boarding house in Hobson Street, Auckland. This savage had cut down his wife and child with an axe and then set about killing himself. The murdered woman’s younger sister came to that house wanting to see Gordon and his wife.
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The owner of the house said that they were up in their room; he did not know of the disaster that had happened to these people. Then Martha - that was this girl’s name – climbed up the stairs. Martha arrived at the door of the room and knocked but there was no answer or anything. Then she listened. She heard groaning, and then she heard the older child thudding in the room, but the door to the room had been locked. Then she said to the child to give her the key under the door. She got the key and then opened the door. She saw the people scattered about and was struck by unfettered fear. The woman and the baby were dead, the man was still clinging to life, and the boy who had not a scratch on him, nothing. It is not known why the man killed himself and his family but it is thought that he might have been jealous. When he was asked about his actions he said that he had decided without consideration to do it, it was not spontaneous. Not long afterwards he died. He had cut his throat and slashed his stomach with a razor. These two murders are the outcome of jealousy. What a terrible thing is jealousy. If a person cherishes this thing soon he becomes the victim of the thing.
TROUBLE FOR RUA.
The tribes close to home in the Urewera have been deeply saddened by Rua’s saying that he is the Kaiser and prophesying that soon he will meet the other Kaisers at Whakatane. Many people believed him when he said things like this, but foolish people followed his teaching. Rua’s main task was to avoid being arrested and put in gaol. On 18th May Rua was put in prison for three months having been ordered to appear in person before the judge. Rua’s crime was selling liquor to some of them. There were five other accusations against him besides this. Rua said that he was the second Kaiser and that soon he would meet with the actual Kaiser who would bring the great Emperors. He held that his main work was speaking to his family, his tribe, those who were putting down their names for the Maori Contingent. Rua has returned to the body of his people. One needs to travel some sixty miles to get to that village. Two policemen went to pacify Rua so that nothing bad would happen to anyone going to arrest him. The
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policemen had travelled sixty-five miles in dreadful conditions, however those policemen did not arrive amongst them but had to return because of the heavy flooding at that time. Nevertheless Constable Cummings has firmly declared that he is going to arrest Rua.
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From the beginning of the war until now 60,000 New Zealanders have gone to the war. This is a very large number for New Zealand.
THE ROLL OF HONOUR OF THE MAORI CONTINGENT.
These are the names of the members of the First Maori Contingent who returned home on the Te Rotorua which berthed at Auckland on 6th February.
Hone Nepia; Awatapu Ngaki, Te Puke; Kouma Taphana, Maketu, Bay of Plenty; Parakapa, Te Kao; Pita Tauwhare, Kaiapoi; Hatara Matehe Te Awarua, Waipiro Bay.
Those of their number who are seriously ill in England at present are:
C T Bristow, Te Araroa, East Coast.
R Ngatoro, Te Araroa, East Coast.
Lance Corporal Pitama, Kaiapoi.
These are the names of some of the Second Maori Contingent who are in the hospital at Pont de Koubbeh, Egypt.
Sergeant Tawha Tamepo, Pte Te Puni Tinhenia, Pte Te Reinga Tooke.
Pte Hohepa Marina: we heard before that he had been wounded, but now he has died on 20th September at the 16th Clearing Station, Anzac.
Pte P Paora, who was ill with Phthisis, died on 4th February.
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RULES OF THE PAPER.
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Te Kopara,
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Gisborne.
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Naurea, Gisborne
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