MAMAKU. 
355 
they hastened their return. On reaching Waipakura, Maketu 
wanted them to stay there for the night, but when they 
declined doing so, he fired at them. They proceeded on their 
way, and safely delivered up their charge to the military; not 
having been more than twenty-four hours from the time of 
their starting, during which they had paddled seventy miles. 
No time was lost in trying the prisoners by court-martial; the 
trial commenced on the 24th April, (25th was the Sabbath,) 
and on the 26th they were condemned and executed, the boy 
only being spared, as it was proved he did not assist in the 
barbarous deed; but he actually entreated to be hung with 
his companions. 
These youths being connected with the Nga ti ruaka, caused 
that tribe to take up arms. They were joined by the Nga ti 
haua, with the Chief Mamaku at their head, and by the Patu- 
tokotoko. They speedily raised about three hundred men, and 
encamped at Papaiti, where they strongly entrenched them¬ 
selves. In the first skirmish, they obtained possession of a part 
of the town, which they not only plundered but coolly remained 
in to feast on the ducks and fowls they found there, cooking- 
some dozens of them. The military and inhabitants took shelter 
every night in two stockades and three of the strongest houses, 
two of which were surrounded with trenches. The town then 
presented a singular appeai'ance, its entire population being 
thus shut up in these few fortified spots, all herding together, 
and from their contracted quarters, much sickness and death 
ensued. Whilst the natives were thus engaged in plundering, 
a random shot from the nearest fortified house, went through 
one of those in the hands of the hostile natives, and killed 
Maketu, a great Chief, whilst in the act of loading himself 
with plunder. The gun boat was of great service in keeping 
the enemy in check, its bold commander being always in 
advance. The news of the war was brought to Auckland, 
where I was then attending a Committee of the Church; the 
Governor left the next day in the Inflexible, war steamer, 
taking me with him. On reaching the Wanganui Pleads, 24th 
May, a gun was fired to give notice of our approach, but no 
boat came off. At last, two natives were seen on the shore, 
A A 2 
