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Life in Early Poverty Bay

On Active Service Once More

On Active Service Once More.

Soon after reaching the redoubt Mr. Thelwall fell a victim to typhoid fever, and as there was no doctor at Turanga was sent to Napier, but a few months later returned and rejoined his old troop. Meanwhile Te Kooti, with his mana increased as the result of his victories over the pakehas, moved down from the Urewera into Poverty Bay again, and established himself at Ngatapa, the first fight taking place on December 5, when six Europeans and friendlies were killed, the rebels losing ten men. Then on January 1, 1869, commenced the siege of Ngatapa when, with the help of 200 Ngatiporous under Ropata Wahawaha and Kotene Porourangi, and 170 Wairoa Natives under Lieut. Preece, the Ngatapa pa was besieged for three days and three nights until the Hauhaus abandoned their mountain hold, losing over 130 dead. Te Kooti retreated to the Te Wera forest, with his mana page 91 largely decreased, and his followers but few.

The Poverty Bay men returned to Turanga, and lived in the blockhouse, guarding the township. This was in 1869. In 1872 Te Kooti escaped into the King Country, where he spent eleven years. He was pardoned in 1883, but was not allowed to return to Poverty Bay.