They died during a skirmish that took place on Moutua Island in the Whanganui river.

The Society of Mary's archivist, Elizabeth Charlton visited the memorial this month and noted that as a result of a recent refurbishment Br Euloge's name can now be clearly seen.

"Older mentions of the memorial noted that Br Euloge's name could only just been seen," she said.

The white marble statue of a weeping woman, a personification of grief, stands in Moutoa Gardens/Pakaitore in the city of Whanganui.

The memorial was erected by the European citizens to commemorate the kupapa who fell in the engagement on Moutoa Island. About 50 Pai Marire also perished.

It is unclear how Br Euloge met his death.

In May 1864, a party of Pai Marire supporters from the upper Whanganui River were heading down the river to attack Whanganui town.

Their path was blocked at Moutoa, by the party of kupapa led by two chiefs from Putiki, near the river mouth. The encounter lasted not much more than 30 minutes.

An account of the engagement, a 100th-anniversary publication, relates that Br Euloge was wounded in the head by a member of the Pai Marire party and died some hours later.

This account was said to be an eyewitness account was told by Arana Tinirau, chief of the Ngatiruaka. and written down by his son Paamu Tinirau.

Other accounts which say Br Euloge was shot whilst standing on the river bank, or tomahawked.

Source

• Supplied: Society of Mary Archives
• Voxy
• NZ History
• Image: Supplied Gerald Charlton

The event organised by the Marist St. Josephs Old Pupils Association in Auckland was held at St. Joseph's Church at Grey Lynn attended by old boys, families and friends.

Brother David Lavin shared the history which began in September 1870 when Brothers Ulbert and Landry, both 35 years old, left Mother House of the Marist Brothers in France for the new Pacific mission in Samoa. On 1 May 1871 after six months at sea, they arrived and opened a school at Saleufi, Apia.

Source

• Scoop
• Image: Marist Old Boys Samoa