Sunday, August 28, 2011

Fencing Campaign

West Coast Commission
  • Late 1879 – 1880.
     
  • Chairman, William Fox insisted no land surveys around Parihaka be carried out until report was completed.
     
  • Bryce agreed unless necessary road repairs were required.
     
  • In April 1880 he sent in 550 armed soldiers to “repair” a new road leading directly to Parihaka.


Fencing
  • Te Whiti responded with hospitality – giving the soldiers food.
     
  • The soldiers intentionally tore up fences around Parihaka crops – leaving them to the mercy of wandering stock.
     
  • Soldiers marked out road lines across crops and cultivations.
     
  • Every night the Māori would come out and rebuild the fences.


British Response
  • The Constabulary began arresting the Māori.
      
  • As arrests grew Māori came from around the country to take part.
      
  • Eventually there were so few men left at Parihaka they were arresting boys and old men.
      
  • About 400 ploughers and fencers were imprisoned in poor conditions. Many died in their cells.
   

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