Complex sentence: The actual killing was done mainly by Ropata Wahawaha and the Ngati Porou but it was sanctioned by the leaders of the Militia, Colonels Whitmore and Richmond who were present, they did at least try to prevent the killing of the women and children.
Split into simpler sentences: The actual killing was done mainly by Ropata Wahawaha and the Ngati Porou, but it was sanctioned by the leaders of the Militia, Colonels Whitmore and Richmond, who were present. They did at least try to prevent the killing of the women and children.