NGATAPA — DESCRIPTION — GARRISON — AT THE CROW’S NEST — RAPATA’S
ADVANCE — IN THE TRENCHES — AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE — “SEE THE
CONQUERING HERO COMES.”
Ngatapa, to which Te Kooti retired after his severe defeat at Makeretu,
is about 45 miles from Turanganui. It is a wooded mountain, whose
summit is about 2500 feet above the level of the sea. The pa derived
its name from the mountain on which it stood, and crowned its crest,
which is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs of great altitude.
On the side looking towards Poverty Bay the ground sloped away on this
the only approach to Ngatapa. The pa covered an area of about an acre
and a quarter, and occupied the site of an ancient hill fort. The
mountain is wooded to within 150 yards of the ruined pa.
The existence of Ngatapa was not suspected until discovered by Rapata
in his pursuit of Te Kooti. It was then found that by strongly
fortifying its only assailable side, Te Kooti had created a fortress
which is believed by all who saw it to have been the strongest in
New Zealand. Works of great magnitude protected the vulnerable side;
they comprised three great earth-banks, running from side to side
of the hill, powerful palisades, and deep trenches parallel with
the earth-banks, which were about 15 feet in height, and placed one
behind the other. There were also underground passages to facilitate
communication between the trenches. The interior of the pa was a maze
of rifle-pits, so arranged that a heavy fire could be concentrated upon
any one pit, in the event of an attempt being made to storm the pa.
Outside the pa, a space had been cleared for some distance in front by
cutting down timber. The tree stumps had been left standing for three
feet above ground, and the branches strewed between. The object was to
prevent a night rush upon Ngatapa.
The mountain is surrounded in almost every direction by forest
extending to an illimitable distance, and the entire district for many
miles around is cut up by precipitous mountain ranges and profound
ravines. Ngatapa mountain rears itself unconnected with neighbouring
hills, from which it is separated by chasm-like gullies. No drawing can
convey an idea of its tremendous strength, because a complete view of
Ngatapa cannot be obtained from its base.
Events will prove Te Kooti retired to Ngatapa with not less than 400
men. He had forwarded on the women and children, amounting to 200, some
days before his defeat at Makeretu. The women and children were set
to work to strengthen the fortifications of Ngatapa, and to dig fern
root to increase the supply of provisions, of which at this time the
garrison were by no means deficient.
The distance to Ngatapa is six miles from Makeretu, through a very
difficult country; the last two and a half miles are the worst. About
half a mile from the pa, at a point termed the Crows’ Nest, the ground
improves, until emerging from the bush at 200 yards’ distance from
Ngatapa pa. At this point the ruins of the pa may be seen situated
upon a lofty mound. Between the Crows’ Nest and the pa the track is
traversed by consecutive lines of rifle-pits.
On the 3rd December, Rapata and 70 of his men reached the Crows’ Nest,
and by sundown had fought his way through the intervening rifle-pits to
within a few hundred yards of Ngatapa. That night Rapata stormed the
two lower trenches, and despatched a messenger for reinforcements. By
some mistake, they did not arrive; and after retaining the important
position he had so bravely won until noon of the 4th, Rapata was
constrained to withdraw; but the enemy stood in such awe of him and his
men, that they made no effort to bar his retreat.
There had been a slight misunderstanding between the Ngatiporou and
Ngatikahungunu tribes, which may have affected Rapata’s arrangements.
It was about to be rectified—indeed, both tribes were about to make
a combined attack on Ngatapa, when the arrival of Colonel Whitmore
rendered Rapata’s plans nugatory. The natives, almost to a man,
disliked Whitmore’s domineering disposition. However, they subsequently
served with him; but they fought under and received orders from their
chiefs, who mainly arranged the plan of the siege and effected the
capture of Ngatapa.
Whitmore assumed command of Poverty Bay district on 4th December. Of
his reception in the district he had so greatly injured, the less said
the better. This much, however, may be observed: he had been forced
upon the district much against its will. His credentials had not
improved since his first visit, but were much the worse for wear. He
had in the interim been invariably defeated on the West Coast, and had
retired with overwhelming forces before a despicable foe, leaving a
wealthy, extensive district to be ravaged by Titokowaru. It was felt he
had been despatched to reap laurels he knew not how to win, and by so
doing prove that ministers had wisely selected their man; for if the
current opinion could be diverted from its true course, ministers might
hope the colony would endorse their pitiful policy.
On the 5th December Whitmore marched to the front; by the 9th he had
returned. In the interval he had marched over a few miles of fine,
easy country, chiefly level. Beyond this promenade, he made no attempt
to find the enemy. Scouts who had been out reported fires in the
direction of Ngatapa, and Whitmore gave out the enemy had retired to
the interior. On the 10th the Constabulary were stationed at Makaraka,
three miles from Turanganui; the natives were paid off, and half the
whites. Whitmore had brought 400 men from Wanganui: since their arrival
they had not fired a shot. And now the expedition was at an end.
It has been shewn how the Poverty Bay land question remained unsettled.
Here was a chance for ministers. Te Kooti had been beaten by
Whitmore—no, not by him, by Rapata, but it was all the same; a great
many of the native owners had been killed by Te Kooti; he himself had
disappeared. Natives likely to be troublesome had been sent away, and
Whitmore was present with 400 men to overawe dissentients. Operations
accordingly commenced. At this time Te Kooti’s fires were seen not far
distant; however, the land settlement was proceeded with until the
arrival of a newspaper which commented severely upon the proceedings.
By this time it had been decided to embark the Constabulary once more
for the West Coast. The settlers now became alarmed at the state of
affairs, and a deputation waited on Whitmore on the 12th, to learn if
they were to be entirely abandoned. After much demur, it was agreed
to leave 50 of the Constabulary. On the same day most of the European
forces concentrated at Turanganui for shipment, and the first batch
embarked on board the Sturt. In leaving the river the steamer sprung
a leak, and had to put back. In the evening of that day too, some
settlers struck off the militia roll departed for their former homes.
At sundown a deserter from Te Kooti arrived and reported Te Kooti, at
the head of 250 men or more, was in Poverty Bay.
The following morning, just before mid-day, a native arrived with
news that one European and three boys had been murdered and horribly
mutilated at Pipiwhakau, about four miles from Whitmore’s camp at
Makaraka, on the open plain. The intelligence was, alas! too true.
Whilst 400 men had been kept inactive, the enemy had boldly come down
and murdered the unfortunate victims in sight of Makaraka. About this
time, Richmond telegraphed to Wellington, saying it would be “time
enough to strike a blow on the East Coast five or six months hence.”
As a commentary on this valuable telegram, on the 13th, or day of the
Pipiwhakau murders, a party of the enemy attacked and put to flight
about 20 of our scouts, despatched the evening before to scour the
Patutahi track. Had Te Kooti remained quiet for a few days, until the
steamers departed with the forces, he might have slain every soul in
Poverty Bay. The providential accident that delayed the Sturt alone
prevented such a dreadful catastrophe.
The Pipiwhakau business effectually cleared the mist from the eyes of
Messrs. Richmond and Whitmore, and from this date we may trace the
real pursuit of Te Kooti. It required four more victims before it was
set about, but it was initiated at last. The Constabulary were ordered
to Patutahi, the Militia were re-enrolled, and the natives recalled.
Rapata was once more in requisition, and, though severely ill, came
forward at the call of duty. He became the life and soul of the later
expedition, and brought it to a successful issue.
Much valuable time was lost by Colonel Whitmore, but by the 28th
December the force, amounting to about 800 Europeans and natives, was
concentrated at Ngatapa. Light cohorns were carried to the front, as
were large supplies of ammunition and provisions. The enemy was known
to be deficient of both.