Mr Morgan introduces English methods of agriculture. Maori tribes become industrious farmers. The coming of the wheat. Large cultivations at Te Awamutu, Rangiaowhia, Kihikihi, and Orakau. Grinding the wheat. The first flour-mills. Mr Morgan’s narrative. Clatter of the water-mill in many Maori settlements. Exporting wheat and flour to Auckland. Rangiaowhia flour sent to England. Sir George Grey’s practical sympathy with the Maori. CHAPTER IV.—THE GOLDEN AGE BEFORE THE WAR 18 Te Awamutu and Rangiaowhia in 1852. Mr Heywood Crispe’s description. A land of corn-fields and fruit-groves. The peach-groves of Rangiaowhia. Visit to the large Maori village. Old King Potatau. Hochstetter’s view in 1859. CHAPTER V.—JOHN GORST AT TE AWAMUTU 23 Mr Gorst as Magistrate and Commissioner. The educational institution at Te Awamutu. A newspaper established. Rewi’s raid on the “Pihoihoi Mokemoke.” Mr Gorst leaves Waikato. Te Awamutu re-visited. The last canoe voyage. CHAPTER VI.—THE WAIKATO WAR, 1863–64 35 Fighting on the Waikato. British and Colonial troops invade the Waipa country. Paterangi and Waiari. The Forest Rangers. Von Tempsky’s narrative of the war. Bishop Selwyn at the Front. CHAPTER VII.—THE CAPTURE OF RANGIAOWHIA 40 Von Tempsky’s story. A summer morning invasion. Skirmishing through the village. Siege of a Maori whare. Colonel Nixon shot. Dramatic death of an old warrior. Heroic little garrison annihilated. CHAPTER VIII.—THE ENGAGEMENT AT HAIRINI 48 Sharp action at Hairini Hill. Field Artillery shells the Maori lines. A great bayonet charge. Defeat of the Maoris. Work of the Forest Rangers. Looting Rangiaowhia village. Comedy at the Catholic Church. Von Tempsky and an Imperial Colonel. The return to Te Awamutu. A curious spectacle. “Those rascally Rangers have got all the loot!” CHAPTER IX.—THE INVASION OF KIHIKIHI 55 Rewi Maniapoto’s headquarters. British force occupies Kihikihi village. Burning of the council house. Von Tempsky’s night expedition. A fruitless march. Harmless skirmishing. Redoubt built at Kihikihi. Te Awamutu the army’s headquarters. The first expedition to Orakau. CHAPTER X.—THE BATTLE OF ORAKAU 59 Most memorable battle in New Zealand’s history. Brigadier-General Carey’s expedition. Von Tempsky’s narrative. Animated description of the siege. Work of the Forest Rangers. Heroism of the Maori garrison. The last day. A break for freedom. The soldiers in pursuit. Maori narratives. The reply to General Cameron’s message. Incidents of the siege. CHAPTER XI.—CAMP LIFE AT TE AWAMUTU 79