Journey to a hanging /

Wells, Peter, 1950-2019,

Journey to a hanging / Peter Wells. - 412 pages : illustrations (some colour) ; 24 cm

Cover subtitle: The events that set New Zealand race relations back by a century.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"In 1865, Rev Carl Sylvius Volkner was hanged, his head cut off, his eyes eaten and his blood drunk from his church chalice. One name - Kereopa Te Rau (Kaiwhatu: The Eye-eater) - became synonymous with the murder. In 1871 he was captured, tried and sentenced to death. But then something remarkable happened. Sister Aubert and William Colenso - two of the greatest minds in colonial New Zealand - came to his defence. Regardless, Kereopa Te Rau was hanged in Napier Prison. But even a century and a half later, the events have not been laid to rest. Questions continue to emerge: Was it just? Was it right? Was Kereopa Te Rau even behind the murder? And who was Volkner - was he a spy or an innocent?"--Back cover.

9781775533900 9781775533900 1775533905

Random House New Zealand


Volkner, Carl Sylvius, 1819-1865 --Death and burial.
Kereopa.


Race relations--History--New Zealand--1840-1876.
Murder--New Zealand--Opotiki District.
Hara
Noho-ā-iwi
Kōrero nehe

993.022

©South Taranaki District Council

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