Wedding Bells
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The heart of the north Northern Advocate LOCAL FEATURES Saturday, March 3, 2012 B3 Act of bravery that helped end war Little known interpreter played a big role for peace By Eric Hansen HEN reading about the Northern War fought in Northland from 1845-46, the Wnames Hone Heke, Kawiti, Tamati Waka Nene, Sir George Grey and Lieutenant Colonel Despard regularly feature. Seldom, if at all, is the name of Edward Hansen mentioned. Yet Hansen played a key part in the peace-making process between Governor Grey and Hone Heke that helped bring about an end to the fighting. Edward Hansen was born at Oihi in 1823, the fifth child of Thomas and Elizabeth Hansen, New Zealand’s first non-missionary European settlers. He grew up living in a cottage at the base of Rangihoua pa, and, as his parents were not missionaries, he was free to roam and play with the local Maori children. As a result, he became fluent in te reo Maori as well as English. When fighting began with the sacking of Kororareka (Russell) in January 1845, 22-year-old Hansen volunteered to act as an interpreter for the British forces that were dispatched from Auckland and Australia. Hansen detailed his service in a letter when he submitted a financial claim, sent many years later in 1892 to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. In the letter, he stated that during the war he acted as an interpreter to Colonel Despard, Colonel Wynyard and Major Bridge of the 58th Regiment, and to Governor Grey. Hansen was present at the battles of Ohaeawai and Ruapekapeka and later served as interpreter under Captain Cockcraft of the 58th. It was soon after the battle of Ruapekapeka that Hansen performed an act of bravery that helped bring about an end to hostilities. Governor Grey clearly realised it was important to bring the war to a rapid conclusion to stem the loss of confidence that had seen settlers flee to Auckland. To do so, he needed to make contact with Hone Heke, who had retired to his pa at Tautoro, just south of Kaikohe, and he needed someone reliable who could safely convey a letter to him. It was to Hansen he entrusted this important mission. Today it is difficult to understand just how dangerous this mission was for a ABLE TO COMMUNICATE: Edward Hansen, aged in his 60s, with his wife, Mary Ann. PHOTO/SUPPLIED European at that time. For over a year, Ngapuhi warriors under Hone Heke and able to achieve a real victory. earlier, been at war with the British. natives and brought answer back. My It was the successful completion of his Hansen’s claim #224 for £30 for services Kawiti had been fighting British troops There was still the possibility that In his letter to the Commissioner of journey on that occasion was most risky mission that allowed the peace-making performed during the Northern War was and their Maori allies. fighting could continue. Crown Lands, Hansen wrote: and dangerous seeing that never before process between Governor Grey and subsequently disallowed by the Crown. Hundreds of men from both sides had To complete his mission, Hansen had ‘‘Sir George Grey sent me on a no European had ever ventured there.’’ Hone Heke to begin and, ultimately, The official reason given was, ‘‘Acts do been killed or wounded, and while the to walk across country through ‘‘hostile’’ dangerous mission to Hone Hiki’s (sic) It was into this potentially dangerous brought about an end to the fighting in not apply to this service.’’ British had claimed to have won the territory and enter the pa of one of the pah at Tautoro. I went alone and environment that Hansen set out to the North. Already, the actions of a brave man battle of Ruapekapeka, they had not been leaders of Ngapuhi who had, just weeks conveyed the letter from Sir George to the deliver the letter from Governor Grey. It is ironic that 46 years later, had been forgotten. Northland Working, Northland Pride Tart up your Are you an employer? Did you know you could be eligible MRI Ultrasound X-ray for a $5000 payment to assist you with tartan to win CT Mammography Bone Density employing young staff? Things are gearing up for If you are a Check out page 2 of today’s Northland’s premier wearable dress- up, the Art n Tartan Wearable Art paper for more details. Awards staged each year as part of WOMAN AGED Waipu’s wonderful, wild and wacky Tartan Week. OVER 40YEARS This year’s event, in July, will be Please phone split into three shows: a spectacular an us to make an opening night performance, followed appointment the next day by an afternoon ANNUAL matinee performance and topped off at our with the equally spectacular and MAMMOGRAM Whangarei inspiring awards evening. The organisers are encouraging is the best way of detecting branch. designers to ‘‘Let your fancy take early breast cancer flight and step into a world where tradition meets fantasy,’’ exploring themes reflecting an aspect of what Ph 09 437 0540 www.northernradiology.co.nz is for 50 per cent of New Zealanders a shared Celtic past. Garments must contain 30 per cent tartan and are submitted under SPECIAL READER OFFER Wedding one of six imaginative categories, Waipu Museum manager Patsy Montgomery said. In the past 200 years, tartan has The Ideal little Gift... transformed itself into a symbol of all things Scottish. Based around For that person who’s hard to buy for, or someone that simply needs patterns formed by repeating inspiration in the kitchen. Whichever applies, this is the easy solution. Bells squares, tartan was once commonly Get your copy of 15 Minute Meals filled with easy recipes from BEST WEDDING PHOTO COMPETITION worn in Europe by the ancient Celts Jan Bilton, one of New Zealand’s most popular food writers! Ifyouhavebeenmarriedinthepastyear(March, but eventually became associated 2011 to present), enter your wedding photo and it with the Highlanders of Scotland. WARRIOR SPIRIT: Cross-over Celtic This A5 glossy cookbook contains 36 fast family meals couldbejudgedthebestpictureinSavvy.Savvy’s While the wearing of tartan was and Japanese culture and mythology originally published by Jan Bilton in APN Regional April edition will be dedicated to Northland Weddings forbidden by the English for 40 years inspired last year’s supreme winner. Newspapers throughout New Zealand. and in conjunction with this is a Best Wedding Photo after the Battle of Culloden, on July Competition,whichwillfeaturethephotographs. 1, 1782, the infamous Act of 1. Call today and have your copy posted Readers will vote online for the winning picture. Proscription was replaced and the ‘‘Tartan can be seen to you for just anniversary is now celebrated as something to ENTRY DETAILS internationally — such as Waipu’s $9.95 including postage • One picture per couple dropped of to The Northern annual Tartan Week, reflecting the Advocateat88RobertStreet,Whangareiore-mailedto settlement’s colonial roots. celebrate — a 2. SUBSCRIBERS: Call today and have your copy posted to you for just [email protected] • Include names and bride’s ‘‘Tartan can be seen as something symbol of the right maiden name • Location where photo was taken • Date of to celebrate — a symbol of the right $7.95 including postage wedding • Name of photographer • Daytime phone number of all people to express their sense of Our subscribers can simply charge this purchase • Entries close 5pm on March 22, 2012 identity,’’ Ms Montgomery said. of all people to to their newspaper account. Otherwise credit Identity, and the international card is accepted over the phone.Cash, Visa and BEST PICTURE PRIZE connections between people, led to express their sense eftpos are accepted at our offices. • AvoucherfortwotostayattheOceans Resort in the creation that saw Waipu local of identity.’’ Tutukaka in a Marina View Room, including 2 course Jeanette Wynyard crowned Art ‘n’ dinner, breakfast, bottle of wine and a complimentary Tartan’s Alison Turner Supreme Patsy Montgomery, All profit from the purchase of this cookbook will be used late checkout • Vodka Cruiser $300 mystery prize Award winner last year with her Waipu Museum manager to support the local Newspapers in Education literacy and • Make-upgiftpackagevaluedat$200 Celtic-Japanese warrior/monster social awareness programme. costume, called Tsunami Mc’ee. LUCKY VOTER PRIZE Her first ever foray into the world about the Japanese tsunami into her ORDER NOW! 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Then when room upgrade,2fullcookedbreakfastsinTe Maroro Valley milk bottles. the tsunami struck that is what Restaurant,middaycheckout,carparkingand An artist whose projects include really affected me,’’ she said. daily newspaper • Competition limited to 40 designing a memorial to the unborn Entries are now open to Art n and a mural at the Waipu Tartan 2012, to be held at the Waipu photographs, Northern Advocate photographers Presbyterian Church, Ms Wynyard Coronation Hall on July 13 and 14, will choose photos that will be published in Savvy channelled her thoughts and feelings with entries closing on May 18. Please allow up to 10 working days for delivery, or purchase from our newspaper offices..