was word of a meeting to be held inland on 25 December when the new teachings would be fully explained by the Tiu, Te Hau Anahera. “ It was about the 19th that the people, who up to that time showed no signs of uneasiness, began to confess publicly the new doctrine. ” On 23 December, the Tauranga chief, Hori Tupaea, had sent letters to various hapu, entreating them to go to the meeting. Tupaea ’ s message was that

unless all people took the oath before the 26th and separated themselves from the Europeans, they would meet one death. But going inland, waiting and watching the turn of events, no harm could attend them, but more, they would see before the close of January the fulfilment of the angel ’ s prophecy, that all Europeans will be out of this island.

Rice visited the settlements in the Wairoa area on Christmas Eve and found nothing untoward. He was assured by many people that they were not interested in the movement but commented, “ I could not, however, fail to notice the marked change in some of them. ” He returned to Te Papa on Christmas morning.

While passing through the Otumoetai settlement of Rome and the pa, I took particular notice of the aspect of matters generally. The people were all pursuing their usual evening practices. Not one instance could I remember of anything that could have led to the deduction of the subsequent movement. I noticed, however, in our camp natives on Christmas morning, a marked change for the worse, and Raniera, the guide, remained crouched up sulkily in his blanket all day talking ‘ Paimarire ’ . Not one move escaped him, and towards evening I questioned two of the police, who had returned from the Wairoa, whether any fresh accounts had been received. They replied no, but I doubted them and hastened to obtain the Colonel ’ s permission to detain them and prevent their crossing to Matapihi. Too late, however, for they used extra haste and get over.

Immediately after these two men left our camp, the natives began packing up their bundles and started to carry same to the beach to canoes. I reported this circumstance to the Officer Commanding, and they were detained. I crossed over to Matapihi. Not twenty minutes could have elapsed since the arrival of the two policemen, and yet, when I went into the pa the scene was beyond description. Men, women and children were bundling their chattels in every direction, and now and then an energetic organ of speech would shout urging the people to ‘ Hasten on, the allotted time is short for your salvation; tomorrow, the 26th, it will be too late for the Anahera, and we shall be murdered by the pakeha; kia tere kia tere ’ (be quick, be quick).

I succeeded in getting some of the people together - and on my entreating them to consider carefully before they took such a step, they replied ‘ It is God ’ s work, not ours ’ , giving at the same time a singular jerk with the neck and waving the hand… The people of Matapihi took scarcely any clothing save their blankets and what they wore.