GC79N8G Old Armed Constabulary Cemetery (Taranaki) (Traditional Cache) in North Island, New Zealand created by Phronimos

GC79N8G ▼

A cache by Phronimos Message this owner

Hidden : 7/29/2017

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Related Web Page

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

The third point of interest on the Opunake Coastal Walkway is the Old Armed Constabulary Cemetery on a point of Opunake Lake. This is also the grave of Miss Mary Dobie who was murdered in Opunake in 1880

In 1865 a company of troops from the 43rd Irish regiment established an outpost encampment on both sides of the Main Road, overlooking Te Namu pa. An officer of the regiment is said to have purchased Opunake for the sum of £10 from the local Maori. In 1866 with the arrival of Von Tempsky’s Forest Rangers the erection of the Redoubt was undertaken on the top of the cliff above the Power Board’s Surge Chamber.
Armed Constabulary redoubt, Opunake, 1881	The original redoubt was abandoned after the end of the NZ Wars in 1867. In 1875, 25 Armed Constabulary reoccupied the area setting up camp at nearby Te Namu (pa) and in April 1879 the AC occupied and improved the original redoubt with earthen walls about 12 feet high and 18 feet thick and containing two barrack rooms, a store room, library, officer’s quarters, and offices, as a major base for the forthcoming Parihaka Campaign.
The nearby cemetery is located on a headland that juts into the lake. It has four historic headstones as well as a memorial to Miss Mary Dobie erected by the Armed Constabulary stationed at Opunake and Cape Egmont.

English spinster Miss Mary Dobie was on holiday with her mother in New Zealand visiting her sister and brother-in-law Major Goring who was the Commanding Officer of Cape Egmont Armed Constabulary camp. The ladies were about to return to England, but before taking their departure they went on a visit to Major Goring. The visit to Cape Egmont camp having come to a close, Major Goring escorted the ladies to Opunake previous to their leaving the district. It was surmised Miss Dobie must have gone to take a last view of Te Namu Bay, one of the most beautiful spots in the district, and of an evening, and when the sun was setting, the scene is a most magnificent one. For an artist, this spot would have more than usual charms, and no doubt wishing to see the place again for the last time she was attracted thither, not fearing that she would in any way come to harm, but where she met with an unnatural and untimely death.
Following investigation, witness statements and the coroner's inquiry, Tuhi Te Karea was arrested and subsequently made a full confession. He was found guilty by the Coroner's jury and on 29 December 1880 was hanged at Wellington Gaol.
There's a lovely view to be had from here, as well as a Waymark Memorial to Miss Mary Dobie, Opunake
The Opunake Redoubt was finally abandoned in early 1887, with the disbandment of the Armed Constabulary. Many settled here in Opunake, and some assimilated into the newly formed civilian New Zealand Police Force.