Turuturu Mokai.

Mr. O. N. Gillespie mentions Turu-turu Mokai in his recent article in the Magazine. Few remember that this place was the scene of a massacre of pakehas in the early days. The settlers, while farming their areas during the day, all withdrew to the stronghold at night. This was defended by regular troops, who, of course, kept a guard posted all night.

The Maoris must have considered the taking of this fort for a long time before their wits devised a way to capture it. The fort was situated at the top of a long rise, and it was thought that the Maoris would be seen in ample time to give warning. No notice, however, was taken of the sheep grazing in all directions outside the fort. No notice was taken, when, in the half-light of dawn, several of the sheep had approached close to the walls. When these sheep threw off their sheeps' clothing and showed themselves, if not as wolves, at least as something equally dangerous, it was too late. The sentries were shot before they realised what had happened, and by the time the rest of the settlers had awakened, they had to fight hand to hand with Maoris who were entering in increasing numbers.

One man only survived and he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts to bring help from Patea. Now that time has wiped out the bitterness, both Maori and Pakeha must admit the genius of the attack.—C. McB.

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During the past year (1936) I travelled about 4,260 miles by New Zealand Government Railways trains, in the North and South Islands. About 652 miles were covered by excursion trains, the total fares costing about 22/-. The trains ran from Taumarunui to Rotorua, return, Christchurch to Timaru return, and Dunedin to Inver-cargrll return. The fallowing locomotives were used to haul the trains:—

In the North Island: AA class, No. 649, AB class, Nos. 702, 705, 816, 830, K class, Nos. 901, 904, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 918, 919, 920/1/2/3, X class, No. 588, Wab class, Nos. 796, 801, WW class, No. 567. South Island: A class, No. 422, AB, class Nos. 689, 727, 782, 804, 812, Q class, No. 345, Wab class, No. 789, F class, Nos. 13, 163. Electric locomotives, Nos. E7, and E9.—M.B.

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