(Maori Version at Papers Past.)
[3] Te Kopara, Number 22, Gisborne, August, 1915.
‘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]
THE MAORI CONTINGENT.
On 27th of this month news came of the participation of the Maori Contingent in a major offensive in the Dardanelles; the offensive took place at night. The companions of the Maori Contingent in this attack were the New Zealand troops and those of Australia. One’s head was filled with horror at the stories of this great attack; and the absence of this thing, fear, was seen amongst the Maori. General Ian Hamilton was amazed at the bravery of the Maori Contingent and the New Zealand Government has received his message of praise for the Maori soldiers.
We shall not set down at length the stories of that attack. This charge took place at night-time. There are no words to tell how bad the land was that was covered by the Maori and Pakeha troops; one can only say it was not meant for men to cross. It was mountainous land, a land of cliffs without any flat places; only in the places occupied by the Turks was it good.
Before the troops set out, their leader, the General in Command gave instructions that not a single shot was to be fired but that they were to fight with bayonets. The General said this because he knew that the Turks were not on watch that night; they thought that no-one would be mad enough to cross that kind of land at night. So while the English forces were preparing the Turks remained in ignorance. The Maori Contingent set out to make its name. The terrain was of no account to them. Not a single rifle was fired. Presently they came upon the Turks. When they were very close they began a chant [ngeri] and shouted and set about their task with abandon. All the spirits of their parents and ancestors emerged at that time; their blood was up; it was indeed as if the spirits of their ancestors were carrying them along. Fear had vanished. They did not know if they were alive or not, but they committed themselves and their bodies bravely to die. When the Turks heard what these men were doing their thoughts were disturbed, not knowing what they were about. Their actions all
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caused panic amongst the Turks; coming, as it did, at night it was especially terrifying. The Turks in their surprise and panic and fear shot off their rifles into space not knowing where they were firing. Then the Maori began to drive forward bringing their bayonets into play without restraint. They did not turn back but they became aware that their task was to spear men. They went forward chanting and shouting and stabbing and no-one was able to stand before them. The Turks were overwhelmed with fear by the activity of these people. They made not a single effort to bayonet them but fled headlong. Then indeed to work of these men spread out, as did the chanting and the shouting, and the fear spread amongst the Turks and they ran. The Turks lost a very large number in this charge. In this battle the Maori and Pakeha New Zealand soldiers took 600 Turkish prisoners. It is said that when the attack with the bayonets ended the stocks of the guns were used to kill the enemy. Just one charge against the Turk and he lost control of his bowels. The person reporting this engagement wrote, ‘The Maori People have gained a new standing in the great Empire of England. Congratulations to our young men.’
LETTERS SENT TO US.
Dardenelles, 2/7/15.
‘Prince Abbas’,
Troopship carrying Maori soldiers from [Remono] to Gallipoli.
To my Father,
The time now at which I am writing this to you is twenty past eight and I am writing on board the ship which is carrying us to Gabatepe. We have only just finished paying our respects to the King and to our friends in New Zealand, and to one another, and doing those things that need to be completed and the things that will bring us good luck in life, and recalling the great things done by our ancestors in their day. Finally we are close to entering the flames of battle and our joy and happiness has increased. Not one of us is apprehensive or distressed although the work that lies before us is terrible. The sound of our haka and our waiata is heard over the Mediterranean. The time is coming when the words of our songs, [Hokihoki tonu mai] ‘Return to me, spirit of my beloved’ and [Tahi nei taru kino] ‘There is a problem with being in love,’ will be engraved on the hearts of people, women and men, in all parts of the Empire. Our voices will be heard over the sands of Egypt, over the breastworks of Malta,
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crossing the rippling waves of the great seas of the world – the Mediterranean, the Pacific and the Atlantic, and tomorrow they will be heard over the mountains of Gallipoli.
9.15 p.m.
I have just returned from Wepiha’s final service not long before we enter the battle. These were Wepiha’s closing words to us: ‘Be determined, be brave! Let the blood of your ancestors awaken within you in the face of the heat of battle; in the roar of the guns of the enemy. Carry with you the fame of your forebears – and have the same determination. In death die together, in life live together.’ Here Henare’s words ended. Tomorrow at two o’clock we arrive and enter upon his [kai a te riri] ‘eating’ the battle. May God bless you all.
From your loving son,
Jim.
[This letter is from Timi Wherihi, son of Tare Wherihi of Te Wainui, Gisborne. Timi’s younger brother was Tanara Wherihi, the first young man from Gisborne to be killed. There was great sorrow when news came from the King to the Governor of New Zealand that Tanara Wherehi had been killed. Many telegrams of sympathy have been received by his parents. Amongst those telegrams was one from the King conveyed by the Governor, one from Sir Joseph Ward, one from Mr Allen, the Minister for War, and one from Dr Pomare. Tanara was a very fine young man and so his death brings great sadness. Perhaps his older brother was unaware that they would so soon be parted in that foreign land at Gallipoli. – Editor.]
THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
Below are the names of the members of the Maori Contingent whose names have been entered on the Roll of Honour.
Killed in Action
Hurae Hetaraki
Donald Ferris
Lance-Corporal John Geary
Heremaia Hare
Waitere Manihera
Corporal Teira H Mete Kingi
Lance-Corporal Richard Manuel
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Tautuhi Maraki
Hoani Ngamu
Turei Papanui
Herewini Rapihana
Pahia Ropota
Ngakapa Tahu
Thomas Wahia
Pitonga Teotimi
Romana Ratima
Died of Wounds
J Harding
Tuati Pereiha
James Tua
Wounded
Captain Pirimi Tahiwi
Lieutenant Simon J Stuart Coupar
Rangi Ellis (Wairarapa)
G R Rewa (Motiti) wounded in the leg.
Teko Mihaere (Wairoa, HB) wounded in the knee.
M Broughton, wounded in the chest.
Ch Wood, wounded in the shoulder.
Wm H Torepe, wounded in the thigh.
John Koperu, wounded in the hand.
Hau Taha, wounded in the leg.
Piri Ellison, wounded in the hand.
H R Keneti, wounded in the thigh.
T Te Whare, wounded in the thigh.
Paipeta Henare, wounded in the [?takakau sic takaki – neck] and thigh.
Paumatangi Paratene, wounded on the right thigh.
Reihana Rutene, wounded in the left thigh.
Hirini Tokara
N T Paa
Hone Petiha
T R Poi
Kopara J I Morgan (N. Wairoa), wounded in the thigh.
Turi Wharemate, wounded in the chest.
Kohi Tatana Hemana (N. Wairoa), wounded in the chest.
Te Whatu Tua, wounded in the back.
Orihau Akuhata, wounded in the left hand.
Wounded and Missing
Herewini Aramakutu
Matehaere Temoni
William Taka
Sickness
Popoki Te Ao (enteric)
Lieutenant Kaipara (dysentery)
N Nopera
Joe Williams (dysentery)
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WAR NEWS
A Major Battle in the Baltic Sea
On Monday, 23rd June, news arrived of a major sea battle between the warships of Germany and Russia. Germany suffered the most insofar as eleven of its ships were destroyed. One of the ships destroyed was one of Germany’s largest battleships, an extraordinary ship. These are its measurements:
Length, 610 feet; beam, 96 feet; draught, 27 feet; tonnage, 22,600; horsepower, 86,900; speed, 28 miles per hour; number of crew members, 1013 (the HMS New Zealand has a crew of 800).
Russia and Germany.
Germany is forcing Russia back. Many Russian towns have been taken by Germany since they took Warsaw. One of the main Russian towns Germany is trying to take is Petrograd. But although Germany is strong, Russia knows how to dispose its troops so that it does not lose many to the enemy; it is retreating while at the same time inflicting great damage on Germany. Those towns taken by Germany do not do them much good because Russia removes all that is valuable from them before the fighting. It is now clear that Russia’s main problem is a lack of gunpowder and ammunition. But we now hear that a large amount of powder and ammunition is now being made and if this is true it is good news. Some are saying that although Russia is retreating the time is coming when Russia will wake and leave only a remnant of the German armies that are advancing against it now. But the main thing to consider is its disposition, whether it is becoming disheartened or is still resolute. On the basis of what we have heard it is still resolute and determined to fight this war and bring it to its conclusion. This is very clearly understood by its friends with whom it is fighting against Germany.
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More Items.
Russia has told the Jews under its rule that if they help in the fight against Turkey, if Turkey is defeated they will be given Palestine as a reward, that is, their land will be returned to them.
The New Zealand Government has ordered Kenny Williams to go to Egypt. It is not clear what Kenny Williams is to do there; but it is thought that he is going to command the Second Maori Contingent. The Maori are very happy at hearing that K S is going to be their elder. And K S was delighted that the Government has so honoured him and he was very eager to go. The Williams family have been much involved in this war. Many of them are there now. K S has given a lot of money to help with the expenses of the war; just recently he said that he was paying for a machinegun for the New Zealand soldiers. Now he has gone himself. Do not let any foolish people say that it is only the lower class who are going to the war and the top people are not going. It is completely wrong to say that. See, almost all the Williams family have gone, along with other leading Pakeha. Best wishes to K S and all the Williams Tribe.
During September the Eighth New Zealand Battalion is going to the war. It is thought that the Second Maori Contingent will travel with them.
Lord Kitchener's New Army.
News has arrived that Lord Kitchener’s new army has arrived at the battlefront, the place where England and France are fighting Germany. It is not known where that army where that army is, at present that is a secret; its deployment is Lord Kitchener’s decision. It is good news that this army has made the crossing to the Continent. It is good news because it is a sign that now the English have plenty of gunpowder and bullets and secondly because we hear that there will presently be a major offensive there. For a long time there has been no news from there, that is, there has been no major battle there. Now, since Kitchener’s army has arrived, soon we will hear of some major offensives. This will cause problems for Germany and Russia will make progress.
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A LETTER OF SYMPATHY TO THE PARENTS OF DONALD FERRIS.
We are putting this letter in Te Kopara because we are thinking of all those parents who are grieving the loss of their children who have fallen in the war. Therefore although it is addressed to Charles and his wife and family it is appropriate that other parents whose hearts are weighed down by grief should have the opportunity to read it. This is the letter:
August 29th, 1915.
To my beloved friend, Charles,
My wife and I share your feelings at this time. The death of your son is like the plucking of a flower. He died the death of a chief, he died as a warrior, he died for the Empire, he died that we might not live as slaves to the enemy. Nevertheless the two of you have gained this honour, the honour belonging to people whose children have fallen in battle. You grieve for your son, flesh of your flesh, blood of your blood. There can be no avoiding. Your sadness will increase greatly and you will shed the food of tears. Let the tears flow – tears respected by the whole world. However, although this great tragedy has come upon the two of you, let this thought set your souls at rest that your son has left behind his body; he does not have to choose between death and life. In this he has died as a true chief. He died seeking to obey the command of his King, the calling of the English Empire – he fell for a just cause – he fell fighting the nation which besmirched the great calling of the world, the call of the faith. Where is greater honour to be found than this, to have it said that so-and-so’s son died – that he died in battle? The two of you have this honour, an honour that will not pass away. Although the leaves of a tree fall the glory of that tree is not lost, rather it will have new joy as it is glorified by its new leaves sprouting forth. Therefore let these things that carried your son to the place where this tragedy happened to him serve to bring peace to your suffering hearts. My wife and I send in this letter our love to you, to your wife, to your children and to all your son’s relations.
From your friend,
Whereri Raihana.
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RULES OF THE PAPER.
1. Te Kopara is published monthly.
2. The subscription for the paper is five shillings (5/-) a year paid by postal note or stamps.
3. Anyone wishing to take Te Kopara should send the money with the covering letter.
4. Articles are welcome from all parts of the country, but the Editor reserves the right to decide on what to print. Write clearly.
5. Address all letters to:
Te Kopara,
Te Rau,
Gisborne.
A NOTICE
To those wanting a Prayer Book or Hymn Book. I now have plenty of books. The prices are:
Large, soft cover 2/6
Large, red cover 3/-
Large, hard cover 4/-
Large, superior cover 5/6
Small, soft cover 1/-
Small, red cover 1/6
Small, hard cover 2/6
Small, superior cover 3/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, soft cover 1/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, red cover 1/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, hard cover 3/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, superior cover 4/-
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, red cover, 3/6
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, superior cover, 5/6
Hymns 6d
Words for the Prayerful Heart 3d
I will pay the postage to send the books to you
H W Williams,
Naurea, Gisborne
People wanting a Bible or a New Testament should apply to the Bible Depository Sunday School Union, Auckland.
Bible, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 1/-.
New Testament with explanatory headings. 2/6, 3/-, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
Small New Testament with the Psalms. 2/-, 2/6, 3/-, 3/6, 4/-. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
Printed and published by H W Williams at Te Rau Printing Works, Berry Street, Gisborne, New Zealand.
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