Te Kopara 67
[3] Te Kopara, Number 67, Gisborne, 31 July, 1919.
‘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]
PRAISE FOR THE MAORI CONTINGENT.
General Andrew Russell was still in France when he heard that the Maori Contingent was returning to New Zealand. While he was still there he wrote his letter to Mr Allen, the War Minister, praising the conduct of the Maori in this war. In his letter he said: ‘I have heard that the Maori Pioneer Battalion is returning home. It was a great honour to me to have the Maori under me when they were known as the Maori Contingent at Gallipoli and right up to the time when they were called the Pioneer Battalion in France.
Therefore I want to express my great praise for what the Maori have done in this war and I know that all the Pakeha soldiers feel the same. At Gallipoli, in the assault at Chunuk Bair on 6th August, 1915, and afterwards at the battle of Hill 60, the Maori revealed that they still have the warrior blood of their forebears. In France the achievements of the Pioneer Battalion, at the Somme in 1916, at Messines and Ypres, and in all the fighting in 1918, and during the many months the soldiers waited in the trenches for the right time to attack the enemy, were widely known. Throughout this war the Maori showed their courage, their obedience to commands, their vigour and cheerfulness at all times, and these are the marks of a good soldier. Therefore I know that I am expressing the views of all the Pakeha soldiers. For myself, I say that we salute the Maori and are happy that we are one people and fought together in this war.’
THE MINISTERS.
On 27th July a service took place at which Chaplain-Captain Peni Hakiwai was inducted as minister for the Parish of Moteo.
On the same day the Rev M Keepa was inducted as minister for the Parish of Nuhaka.
[4]
LETTERS RECEIVED.
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
Te Mokaikai Pa at Parengarenga.
Wi Repa’s accounts of Te Whetumatarau pa are heart-breaking. We know similar stories about Te Mokaikai and its overthrow by Ngapuhi and Te Rarawa. Te Mokaikai is a headland with the sea below it. That headland faces the southerly wind. The front and sides of the headland are lofty so that no-one could get to it by the front or the sides. The only way to that pa is where the headland joins the mainland. The people of the pa had made [kaha - ?fortifications] on that path because for a a long time that had been expecting the enemy. The men of the pa had scattered to look for food for the pa, catching fish, digging fern roots [roi also known as aruhe], and gathering other foods. The women, the children and the old men were left in the pa. The men of the pa were absent for two days. At sunrise on the second day the pa, Te Mokaikai, was attacked. If the pa fell the women and children would be killed. But the women of this pa were very brave. They sought to avenge the attack and they knew what form their vengeance would take. Messengers reached the men of the pa. When they arrived they found that the enemy had retreated. There had not been a major battle because the women had impeded them. The war party retreated because they were afraid of being trapped by the men. When the men arrived they found that some of the women and children had been killed. So much for that.
We see from the stories of Te Mokaikai and of others which I cannot write about here, what the descendants of Kupe, of Nukutawhiti, and of Rahiri were like. They were not united in former times. They fought amongst themselves. Hongi was the chief of Ngapuhi, Poroa of Te Rarawa, and Te Houtaewa of Te Aupouri. Matawhaorua was their canoe. Because they were fighting one another Te Aupouri did not participate in Ngapuhi’s attacks on the people of this island. Rather Te Aupouri looked after itself lest it be destroyed by Ngapuhi and the others.
Matiu Kapa.
THE ROLL OF HONOUR
In the recent war this is the Roll of Honour of all the New Zealand soldiers who went to this war, from the beginning to the end. Of the officers, 774 died and 1724 were wounded. Of the men, 15,887 died, 39,596 were wounded, and 1 is missing. A total of 16,661 died, 41,317 were wounded, and 1 is missing.
[5]
A PARTY OF CHIEFS.
A party of chiefs arrived amongst Ngatiporou in the last days of June – all great men, of noble descent, of great standing, and great in body and mind. We see at last such a party on the marae of Ngatiporou, and I believe that from the beginning to the end no party like it has been seen on the Tairawhiti. The advance of the party onto the turbulent coasts of Ngatiporou was awesome. The elder of the party was Taranaki Te Ua and his companions were a party of military officers, a breed of chiefs, men experienced in war, many of whom had been awarded great war honours. Major Wepiha Wainohu was awarded the White Eagle of Serbia. Captain Te Reiwhati Vercoe was awarded the DSO and DCM and was twice nominated for the Victoria Cross (VC) which only misfortune prevented him from receiving. These men were all of the First Contingent along with Captain Tipi Porotene and Lieutenant Hakopa. There were also Captain Hone Hooro, Lieutenant Omana, Lieutenant Rotoatara, Sergeant Turi Kara, and Sergeant Paora Te Urupu. From here in Ngati Porou came Lieutenant Apiata Apanui and Hone Petiha. Two members of this party were from Te Arawa, one from Ngatiraukawa, four from Ngatikahungunu, and two from Ngatipahauwera. Besides Taranaki they are known to the whole country. The marae of Ngatiporou that welcomed them were Tokomaru, Hiruharama, Mangahanea, Wai-o-matatini, Tikitiki andWaipiro. They will not be seen widely by Ngatiporou because it is winter and their visit clashes with the sitting of the Maori Land Court at Te Araroa. One way in which Ngatiporou showed kindness to the party was by giving a sum of money – nearly £700 was given for the group. Wepiha grumbled about this procedure saying that it was ‘love striking love’ and that he would not sit down but he would return to the Ngatiporou area. What are we to do, my friend, for Ngatiporou are a tribe without food but they use money as a relish on their potatoes and kumara.
The group came to mourn their dead, to lament the deaths [kawe mate – a mourning ceremony on another marae subsequent to the tangihanga and burial – Te Aka ] of those who died in the war – to weep for those from Ngatiporou who fell in the fighting, to mourn for their fellow officer friends, Lieutenant Henare Kohere and his nephew, Captain Pekama Kaa. To all appearances the group seemed to be a Pakeha one but, from the tributes to the fallen and the shedding of tears and the running noses, Ngatiporou were surprised to find it was indeed a Maori one. In their speeches they praised Henare and Pekama as great men and great officers, and had fortune allowed them to return home they would have been great men of Ngatiporou. Nevertheless, despite their losses, this occasion served to revive the hearts of the families – the two of them had led beautiful lives and died glorious deaths. Only one brave man from Ngatiporou challenged that visitor:
[6]
‘Welcome, you group of officers, the fortunate ones amongst you who are still alive. Only my Ngatiporou officers were unlucky, laid low in the fighting. Perhaps it was only my officers who were sent to the front in the fighting so that they were killed, while perhaps you were behind hiding in the brambles.’ Such use of words is typical of Ngatiporou and is not to be seen as an attack.
One’s ears were pleased to hear the speeches of the officers about many matters appertaining to the war. These are some of the subjects they dealt with in answer to questions from the local people.
1. The reasons why young Maori who showed bravery were not given honours.
2. The participation of Te Reiwhati’s company in the attack on the Germans after which he was recommended for the Victoria Cross. This was a remarkable story.
3. Some major battles at Gallipoli and in France.
4. French farming.
5. Paris, the capital city of France.
6. Cologne – what Germany was like.
7. The reason why Italy was defeated.
8. The bad news about General [?Koteri]. The officers all spoke in praise of General [?Koteri].
The officers spoke about many matters. The careful analysis of them by thoughtful men was very good.
One touching thing was the officers’ visit to the school at Rangitukia. This is the school at which Henare Kohere and Pekama Kaa were educated and their photographs are hanging there. Te Reiwhati spoke to the children of the school. Eight pupils of this school died in the war and forty-six went to the war.
These talks went on for a long time. The last words were a lament and and expression of gratitude to Taranaki and his young men for coming to inspire and to heal sorrowing and crushed hearts. Farewell, friends.
R[eweti] T K[ohere]
ADMIRAL BEATTY AND GENERAL HAIG.
These two men are some of the greatest men in England. One was the commander of the fighting fleet and the other the commander of the soldiers. For their work during the war they have been accorded the rank of ‘Earl.’ This rank is just below that of Duke. Therefore this is a great honour for the two of them. Together with this the English Government has iven each of them £100,000.
[7]
THE TRIAL OF THE KAISER.
It is good news for all the nations of the world that the Kaiser is being tried. The thoughts of all go back to the past four years when people lived in darkness, thousands of men died on the battlefields, women, children, orphans and widows were ill-treated, and all kinds of disgusting things were done which should not happen in these days of enlightenment, of knowledge and of faith. We in New Zealand were far from the battlefields. When peace was made we were sitting happily in our homes on our own land. Give some thought to the thousands of French, Belgians and Serbians who were driven out by the enemy in the fighting. They were ill-treated and plundered by the enemy. Peace has now been made but what remains for them? Only their bodies. Their husbands and sons have fallen on the battlefields. Their homes have been destroyed by the enemy. The land has been devastated by the big guns. Men who were alive have disappeared; the land has gone.
In these days they have scrutinized with insight the leader of the nation that ill-treated and plundered them. Formerly he would simply have been put to death but in these days of enlightenment, of faith, and of justice, he will stand before the judges of the Allies.
There he will be seen by the whole world as the man who wanted to set himself up as king of the whole world. This desire led him to abandon the good and pleasant principles of humankind. He gave commands to wipe out men and beasts. He gave instructions to destroy ships carrying sick women and children on the seas. He gave orders to ill-treat women and children, to poison the waters, to reduce to rubble cities and churches by bombing from the air, and to release gas to kill men at the battlefront. This is the burden he carries. Therefore in these days of enlightenment the united voices of the great nations call out, ‘Let him face trial.’
Therefore, now that peace has been made, the demands of the great nations throughout the world are to be met, and this is a very good thing. The Kaiser will be tried in London. Five judges will lead that trial – one from England, one from America, one from France, one from Belgium, and one from Italy. From those five, Lord [?Hamana]. the Chief Justice of England will preside. The lead lawyer for the prosecution of the Kaiser will be Sir [?Korana Huata - ?Sir Gordon Ward]. The Allies have agreed to the Kaiser having lawyers – German lawyers if he wishes. Besides the trying of the
[8]
Kaiser, the Allies have demanded that the leaders of Germany, the generals and officers, who were responsible for killings and other atrocities in the war, be tried.
THE PEACE SETTLEMENT.
The speech made by Mohi Te Ahikoia at the large hui at Hastings on Saturday, 19th June, 1919. Eight thousand people attended that hui.
‘I thank the Pakeha for their goodwill in inviting the Maori to participate in the activities of this day. The Maori were a small people among all the peoples who took part in this war. However, despite their smallness in number, they responded to the plea of our King and it was their own wish to go. They did not wait for the Conscription Act to force them and more than 2000 of them went. Their going was a noble act.
I also salute General Russell. Our young men have returned and all are full of praise for the great kindness shown them by General Russell.
I also salute the soldiers who have returned. You offered yourselves up to die, but through the blessing of God you have returned alive to your families. There has never been a war as terrible as this. Germany committed all kinds of atrocities. Their evil acts extended even to the women; we heard that they cut off the breasts of some lest they should raise more children. Had it not been for the strength of the soldiers of our Empire the Germans would have been treating us the same now.
This was a battle of light against darkness, of right against wrong. We had many exhortations from our King to get down on our knees and pray to God to bless us. At this time we have learned that our invisible God heard our prayers. It was this blessing that enabled us to win the victory at this time.
This was a modern war. In the wars in the old world I was one of those who took part in those wars. We always looked to our relations among the Maori People. They rose up to bring down the authority of our Queen. We did not agree with what they wanted to do. At that time we Maori were the numerous people while you Pakeha were few. When the Maori turned to attack you we came to your help. That what I am saying is true you can see by my medals which I wear on my chest.
Now you have become the numerous people and we are very few amongst you. However, although we are few, may we hold onto goodwill amongst us.
[9]
A SERMON ON THE DAY OF THE PEACE CELEBRATIONS.
Rev F Bennett
‘On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.’ – Acts 28.15
Paul was near death. Their ship was caught in a place where two currents met. The bow was stuck and the stern was being smashed by the fierce waves. The soldiers decided to kill Paul and his fellow prisoners. Out of regard for Paul the Centurion allowed them to swim for the shore. So they all arrived safely on land. But they had been very close to death. While they survived all their possessions were lost in the wrecked ship. When they arrived on land Paul stood and ‘thanked God, and took courage.’
Now we are fortunate to have made it to land. We were paddling amidst the breaking waves of the sea. For four years we did not know if we would get to land, or if we would be overturned under the huge waves of the ocean. At this time we have just arrived and are standing on the shore. The sun is shining upon us. The first thing for us to do is to follow the example of Paul when he had survived the disasters which had struck them, he gave thanks. What is praise? The General Thanksgiving says: ‘And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all they mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we shew forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives: by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days.’ This is what true praise is. It is right that we should be thankful. In the days when our Empire was being shaken by the strength of the enemy we went onto our knees to lament before God. Now that we have emerged let us not forget the giver of victory who has brought us safely to land this day.
Secondly, Paul’s heart was encouraged. Paul looked at the threatening sea and became aware of the blessings of God. He knew that had it not been for God’s compassion for them they would have been overwhelmed by the waves of the sea and drowned. ‘Paul’s heart was encouraged.’ What had given him couge? Paul’s understanding that God would similarly care for him in the days ahead and how God had cared for him in the past.
Let it be the same for us. We do not know what lies before us, but ‘let our hearts take courage.’ We are to live with hope when considering the kinds of things that will come upon us in the future. It is said of this person, the Maori, that if he thinks that he is going to die then he will quickly die. This is indeed why some
[10]
kinds of people give credence to Maori ways. Let us not be like that. ‘Let our hearts take courage.’ We have been blessed by God and his blessings will similarly be upon us in the days before us.
It has been a long journey, a frightening journey, on the road we have travelled on over the past four years. Seven million soldiers in all from our Empire took part in this war. We sent nearly 2,500 of our young Maori men to defend us. Of these 2,500, 300 young Maori are now lying at Gallipoli or in France. Of the Pakeha people of New Zealand, 100,000 were sent to the battlefields. Of this number 16,613 New Zealand soldiers are sleeping the long sleep on the fields of Tu.
On this day of Celebration of the Peace some of us are happy. Some have come alone. The widows are thinking of their husbands, the children are grieving for their fathers and the parents are listening in vain for the voices of their children. But let us rejoice together on this day, because we have won the victory and avenged their deaths. But let us not forget the huge cost of this victory. It came about not through human strength but through help from heaven. Therefore, ‘Let us praise God and let our hearts take courage.’
THE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND.
During the General Synod held in Napier in the first week of May, the Bishop of Dunedin, the Archbishop of New Zealand, announced that this was his last Synod because he was getting old and the time had come for him to resign. He is a remarkable elder, and his physical strength has enabled him to carry out the onerous work of his post right up to the time of his resignation. He is the longest serving bishop in the Church of England throughout the world. He has been a bishop for 49 years and has been Archbishop of New Zealand for 17 years.
THE CAVALRY.
The world has not heard much about the work of our mounted soldiers, the cavalry, in the territories of Egypt and the Holy Land. Because of the extraordinary nature of this war this group of our soldiers has not had prominence. If one adds up all the soldiers of the Empire who fought against the Boers in Africa they are not nearly as many as the number of soldiers who captured the territory of the Holy Land. Since the beginning of the ascendancy of England we have at last become aware of the huge number of mounted troops who fought against the Turks in the territory of the Holy Land.
[11]
A FAITHFUL GERMAN.
This is a story which is circulating in the Pakeha newspapers showing the goodwill of some kinds of people during the war.
An English soldier saw a German aiming his rifle at him, and shot at him. The German fell. The Englishman heard him groaning and felt pity for him. He went and asked him, ‘What would you like?’ He answered, ‘Some water.’ The Englishman gave him water from his own water bottle. The German drank and when he finished thanked the Englishman who had shot him. ‘My friend, I am not sorry nor do I have a grudge against you for shooting me. This is what happens in war. Thank you for giving me water to drink as I am dying. This is the flask that I am giving you. I have drunk the water from this flask. My thirst has been satisfied. My friend, in this flask is the living water which will quench your thirst too. Enough! I give to you our flask.’ Then the German placed his New Testament in the hands of the Englishman. Soon after, he died.
My friends, it was a waste that this German died. These two men each had only good will. Both of them set good examples for us. The Englishman was concerned for the body of his enemy as he lay dying; the German was concerned for the soul of the man who killed him. The German was following the example set by Christ as he hung on the cross and prayed that the sin of the people who had killed him might be forgiven.
A SIGN OF GRATITUDE.
The Church of England is running a project as a sign of gratitude to God for giving our Empire the victory. Notice has been given that the Church aims to collect five million pounds (£5,000,000) to erect Church schools, to build churches, and to be a trust fund for works which will increase the faith in England.
THE HOLY LAND.
It was an honour to New Zealand that in the fighting in the Holy Land the first to cross the borders into the Holy Land were the soldiers of New Zealand. After the New Zealanders came the Australians and the English.
FRANCE’S DIFFICULTY.
Some parts of France will not be able to return to their former state because of
[12]
the destruction of the land in the German invasion. The area of France that has been destroyed if 400 miles long and 30 miles across.
TE RAU KAHIKATEA.
Wiremu Pere Mataira Tukareaho will leave the College this year and will be set apart as a Deacon by the Bishop of Waiapu during the coming December. This man is from Nuhaka and belongs to the Te Wairoa part of Ngatikahungunu. Before he came to the School he was a deacon with the Mormons. During the Rev Piri Manaro’s mission to Nuhaka he turned to the faith. When he is made a Deacon he will go to serve under Manaro in Rotorua. It is appropriate that the man who turned him to the Church should also help him progress in the calling he has taken upon himself.
A NOTICE
Those wishing to purchase Prayer Books, Hymn Books or Testaments should send their request to
H W Williams,
Naurea, Private Bag, Gisborne.
Large, soft cover 3/-
Large, red cover 3/6
Large, hard cover 4/6
Large, superior cover 6/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, soft cover 2/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, red cover 3/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, hard cover 6/6
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, red cover, 4/6
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, superior cover, 7/-
I will pay the postage to send the books to you.
A reminder to you: because of the war everything has gone up in price. Therefore in the case of the books being printed here of whatever kind, those who want them will find that the price has gone up and there is nothing we can do about it. However in coming years perhaps the prices of all of them may return to what they were before.
People wanting to buy a Bible for themselves should write to the Rev F Spencer, Whanganui. He has Bibles and New Testaments of all qualities from soft covers to superior bindings.
No comments:
Post a Comment