1887 - Gudgeon, T. W. The Defenders of New Zealand - [Pages 47-77]

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CAPTAIN R. BROWN.

RICHARD BROWN was born in Dublin, in 1804, and was brought up and educated in that city by an uncle. In his youth, he was employed in a mercantile house in Hobart, and at the age of twenty paid a visit to the Bay of Islands, and to the islands of the Pacific Ocean, in a Tasmanian whale ship. Shortly after the occupation of Taranaki, he settled in New Zealand, and, after conducting a coasting trade for some time, ultimately became a merchant in New Plymouth, having for his place of business, a long, low warehouse near to the boat-sheds. In 1847, he had a quarrel with the natives about a horse, and striking one on the head with a heavy whip handle, nearly paid for his temerity with his life. The natives came into town in large numbers, danced the war dance, and demanded that he should be given up to them. For safety, the authorities confined him in the town prison, around which the natives kept watch all night. In the morning, the natives were pacified by Mr Brown consenting to give up the horse, as utu for the injury he had done. For some time after this, Mr Brown engaged in whaling, employing a shore party at Moturoa, under the management of Robert Sinclair, and at the same time added to his business the profession of land agent. He was also believed, about this time, to have been the editor of the Taranaki Herald.

When the war broke out, Mr. Brown received a commission as captain of the native contingent, and proved himself to be an intrepid officer. On Saturday, 26th May, 1860, Captain Brown left the camp, at Waitara, for the purpose of seeking a straying horse. When riding along the beach towards the township, he was surprised at the ford of the Waiongona River by three of William King's natives, one of them a young man whom the Captain had employed in his store. This man sprang out from behind a bush, where he was lying concealed, and fired at his master. The first shot struck Captain Brown's revolver cartouch-box and glanced off, the next penetrated his thigh, and the third passed through his left side, and lodged in his body. At the first shot, Captain Brown's horse swerved, and the succeeding shots struck him as he was turning. Captain Brown galloped

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back to the Waitara camp, and being observed to drop out of the saddle, was carried to the camp in a fainting state. Here he lingered till the 21st of August, bearing his sufferings with great patience and resignation, until death brought him a release. Captain Brown was a man of education and polite manners, a clever improvisatore, and convivial, but sober in his habits. Lie was singularly reticent regarding his antecedents and business transactions, strictly just and pleasant in his dealings; but there was an inner intrenchment in his nature that was impenetrable, and a fire in his eye that forbade too close an acquaintance. To a certain extent he lived and died a mystery. Dying intestate, and without legal heirs, his estate was escheated.

The above statement I have taken from Well's "History of Taranaki," but knowing Richard Brown personally as early as January, 1850, I am enabled to say something more of this very extraordinary energetic settler. His first appearance at Taranaki was on board a vessel which had anchored in the roadstead, having a quantity of merchandise belonging to him, and on his applying for the surf boats to land his cargo he was refused, the New Zealand Company at that time usurping the whole of the trade Richard Brown, I fancy, must have had some inkling of this as he was evidently prepared for the emergency. He had packed all his merchandise in hogsheads and coolly waiting for the turn of the tide, put them over the ship's side, floated them ashore, rolled them up on the beach, knocked in the heads and commenced selling his cargo there and then at prices not to be refused. He soon arrived with another cargo, and, building premises, settled down as a merchant and completely upset the monopoly of the company.

Richard Brown was a strictly honourable and upright man, a good and firm friend, but an unforgiving enemy. He took the part of Ihaia against Katatore, and often risked his life to assist him. Daring to a degree and brave as a lion, this extraordinary man died about the time the war began, being, as I before said, shot by a Maori he had befriended for years. He left a half-caste son and daughter behind him. His son George was until lately in the Native Office in Auckland.

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MAJOR BROWN.

MAJOR CHARLES BROWN arrived in Taranaki in the year 1841, and in 1853 was elected the first Superintendent of the province. In 1855 he received his commission as Captain of the Taranaki Militia, and held that post up to 1860, the year of the outbreak of the Maori Rebellion. On martial law being proclaimed, Major Herbert, of Her Majesty's 58th Regiment, who had seen some service and who had been wounded in previous Maori rebellions, was appointed to the command of the district, Captain Brown, from his knowledge of engineering, acting as engineer officer under him. After a consultation with the Governor (Colonel Gore Browne), respecting the danger the Omata out-settlers were exposed to, a council of war was held, and the result of the deliberation was, that a force of fifty militia and 100 volunteers, under Captain Brown, supported by a company of Her Majesty's 65th Regiment, under Colonel Murray, to which were subsequently added some sailors and marines from Her Majesty's ship Niger, under Lieutenant Blake, were ordered to their relief. The plan of operations agreed upon was that Captain Brown, in command of the militia and volunteers, should proceed by the beach, keeping the sea coast, and try to pass in rear of the natives, who had built a pa on the Waireka Hill, while the Imperial forces should proceed by the main road and dislodge the rebels reported to have taken up a position near the Whalers' Gate, thereby cutting off communication between the village of Omata and the town. The militia and volunteers marched out about noon, taking the coast track, and on approaching the Waireka, the rebels showed in force. The volunteers, under Captain Atkinson, were then thrown forward, and all parties were soon warmly engaged, many casualties occurring on both sides, when, a reinforcement of the enemy appearing on their flanks, Captain Stapp joined with his force, and took command of the volunteers, occupying Jury's farm buildings, while Captain Atkinson, with his company, defended the sea face of the hill and shot many natives who attempted to get in rear. Colonel Murray, hearing the firing some two miles in

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advance, marched his force to the town side of the Waireka gully, sending the Naval Brigade, under Lieutenant Blake, R.N., and a section of the 65th Regiment, under Lieutenant Urquhart, to their assistance, who by that time had been joined by some of the garrison of the Omata Stockade, under Lieutenant Armstrong, and by some Royal Artillery, under Lieutenant McNaughton. With their assistance the militia and volunteers drove the natives under cover, but being reinforced by natives from Ratapihipihi, they endeavoured to intercept the line of communication between the Imperial and colonial forces, when Lieutenant Urquhart returned and occupied the opposite side of the gully, thus keeping open the communication. He had not, however, taken up the position long, when "the recall" was sounded, Lieutenant Blake being then severely wounded, and Colonel Murray marched the Imperial forces home. Colonel Murray's explanation is at follows:-- "Considering my force too small to keep our communication open should the enemy attack us in force, I recalled Lieutenants Blake and Urquhart's party, particularly as the day was far advanced, and my orders were to return by dark. "No sooner had Lieutenant Urquhart retired, than the rebel natives took up a position in rear of the militia and succeeded in killing and wounding several of the volunteers. The natives were now rampant, shouting out, "Kahoro, kahoro!" ("They are beaten, they are beaten!") Captain Brown, finding his present position untenable, moved his force forward, carrying the killed and wounded across the gully to the advanced volunteer position, where the wounded were placed in Jury's house, which had been strengthened with a rough breastwork and converted into an hospital. The wounded were attended to by Mr. Grayling, in the absence of a medical officer. A gentleman named Pitcairn here greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry in riding through the rebel position with his haversack full of cartridges, he having heard that the volunteers were short of ammunition. His daring was all the more apparent, as, at the time, he was suffering with a dislocated shoulder, and carried his arm in a sling.

At this critical moment, Captain Cracroft, of the Niger, hearing the firing, landed some of his men, and proceeding to the battlefield, ascertained from some of the settlers the position of the enemy's pa, and guided by them made an onslaught on their stronghold, carrying all before him, which attack was no sooner made known to the other rebels, when they ceased firing and decamped, leaving the militia and volunteers to retire in peace. Nothing but this gallant attack of Captain Cracroft saved them, by diverting the attention of the enemy to another part of the field. Captain Brown on retiring left all his killed and wounded at the Omata Stockade, and was there met by a force of militia and volunteers, under Major Herbert, hurrying to their assistance from the township of New Plymouth. The natives, who numbered between three and four hundred, suffered severely, as several cart-loads of killed and wounded were taken by them down the coast on the following day.

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The chief Taurua and seventeen of their principal men bit the dust, and the whole of the rebels were so panic-stricken that on meeting a body of natives coming up to their assistance, they endeavoured to persuade them to return, and actually took their arms from them in their sleep to save them, as they said, from destruction.

Captain Brown was afterwards appointed second in command at Mahoetahi, and was in charge of the advanced line of skirmishers at Omata on the 23rd February, 1861, his conduct on that occasion being brought under the notice of the general commanding. A coolness existing between Major Herbert and himself caused Captain Brown to accept the paymastership of militia and volunteers, and when the Major retired, Captain Brown again assumed the command, performing field officer's duty for some time. On the 7th November, 1864, he was gazetted Major, and was in command of the local forces when the Rev. Mr. Whiteley and Lieutenant Gascoigne were murdered. He had been ordered to hunt up the rebel Titokowaru when a change of ministry put an end to further military operations. Major Brown then resumed his seat in the House of Representatives and when called upon by Mr. Fox to resign the command or his seat in the House he sent in his resignation as commanding officer.

The fight at Waireka was the first occasion of the settlers meeting the natives in fair combat, and they acquitted themselves most creditably, although many were youths under twenty years of age.

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COLS. BUTLER AND HASSARD.

GENERAL CHUTE having determined to attack the Hauhau position at Otapawa, the troops stood to their arms three hours before daybreak. The plan of attack was that the troops and Forest Rangers should follow the track previously taken by the reconnoitring party, and attack on the comparatively open front of the pa, while the contingent and kupapas marched through the bush to the rear of the position, with the view of cutting off retreat. The plan was a good one. Had it been carried out few of the enemy would have escaped; but when the General arrived in front of the pa, he ordered an Armstrong gun to be brought up, and fired several shells into the place, to make the enemy show their strength. Some whares were set on fire, and, as we afterwards heard, a man's head blown off his shoulders; but the garrison made no sign. All was still as death; not a sound could be heard, and the General would not believe that the enemy were there. Under these circumstances he declined to wait for the contingent to get in rear, they having a long and difficult road to travel, and ordered the detachment of the 57th Regiment, under Lieut.-Colonels Butler and Hassard, to storm the stockade, supported by the 14th. Well the old Crimean veterans maintained their reputation. On advancing they found that the enemy had carefully levelled the ground in front of the pa to prevent the attacking party finding cover, and when within fifty yards of the palisades, the hitherto perfect silence was broken by a volley from at least 200 Hauhaus, who, hidden in their rifle-pits behind the strong palisades, rained death and destruction upon the gallant 57th. For a moment the storming party halted, but Colonel Butler's voice, calling out, "Go on, Die Hards!" steadied them, and rushing to the palisade, they tore it down with hands and tomahawks, and entered the pa, killed all who had the presumption to stop, or had not time to escape. Meanwhile, Major Von Tempsky, with his Forest Rangers, had been engaged with a party of the enemy, who were in the bush on the right flank of the pa, and had driven them back, with a loss to himself of two men wounded. The enemy lost 29 men killed, and our casualties were equally heavy, being eleven killed and twenty wounded, among the latter the gallant Colonel Hassard, mortally, and Lieutenant Swanson, of the 14th Regiment, slightly.

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CAPTAIN MORRISON.

CAPTAIN HENRY CHARLES MORRISON arrived in Taranaki a day or two after the first Waireka fight, in March, 1860. He was enrolled as a volunteer, and at once sent on outpost duty to Bell Blockhouse, at that time garrisoned by both regular and colonial troops. He was under fire for the first time at General Pratt's attack on Huirangi (known as the Retreat of the Fifteen Hundred). Whilst at Bell Block, he was placed in charge of the signal department at that post. During the fight at Mahoetahi against the Waikatos, a message was received at Bell Block, by signal, from Puketekaurere to the effect that a large body of natives were on the march from Huirangi to reinforce the Waikatos at Mahoetahi, and Captain Morrison immediately volunteered to carry the message to General Pratt, which he was permitted to do by his commanding officer (Captain Strange, afterwards killed at Matarikoriko). He succeeded in delivering the despatch to the General just as the Waikatos were being driven out of their works under a heavy fire. He afterwards joined the Bush Rangers under Major Atkinson, and took part in most of the skirmishes so frequent around New Plymouth at that time. He subsequently served in the Taranaki Mounted Volunteers under Captain Mace, and accompanied the various expeditions conducted by Colonel Warre, doing despatch duty from the military camps. In 1866 he received a commission in the Taranaki Military Settlers, and was posted to No. 5 company, commanded by his brother (Captain W.J.Morrison). Was stationed in command of the Mataitawa Redoubt with a part of the company, and eventually proceeded to the Patea district with the company, in 1867, where they built and occupied the Turi-turi Mokai Redoubt.

When the military settlers where placed on their land, he took up and occupied an officer's grant of 200 acres, until the murders of Squires, Cahill, and others compelled the occupants to abandon their holdings. Upon the re-occupation of the Turi-turi Mokai Redoubt by Captain Frederick Ross and a party of Armed Constabulary, Captain Morrison, whilst engaged in looking after stock and property, was invited by Captain Ross to share his whare, and probably only missed sharing that gallant officer's fate by having

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gone into Patea late on the afternoon prior to the attack on the redoubt. When the news of the disaster reached Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, Captain Morrison was ordered on active service again, and proceeded with the Colonel at once to Turi-turi Mokai, where he was placed as second in command, Captain (now Colonel) Roberts being his superior officer. When the latter was ordered to headquarters at Waihi, Captain Morrison assumed command of the redoubt, and upon the withdrawal of the forces to Patea, he was left as second in command of Kakaramea Redoubt, under Captain Harvey Spiller, the only outpost in the district at that time.

In January 1869, Captain Morrison was made Sub-Inspector of Armed Constabulary, and was posted to No. 6 division, under Major Roberts. He accompanied Colonel Whitmore's expedition up the coast in pursuit of Titokowaru, and was present at the engagements at Taurangaika, Karaka Flats, Otauto, and Whakamaru. Prior to the column under Colonel Whitmore marching through the bush, in rear of Mount Egmont, to Waitara, he was ordered, with fifty of the Armed Constabulary, to march by the coast to Opunake, to embark on board the Sturt (Government steamship), for Waitara; but on their arrival at Opunake, the sea being very rough, they had to continue their march towards Taranaki, and could not embark before arriving at Tataraiwaka, having made a raid of upwards of fifty miles through the enemy's country.

Upon the removal of operations to the East Coast, Captain Morrison accompanied No. 6 division to Tauranga, and throughout the Uriwera campaign, under Colonel Whitmore, returning to Tauranga for a few months prior to his company being ordered to Taupo (the Government having decided to occupy that district by establishing posts between Lake Taupo and Napier). He was placed in command of Tapuaeharuru, and soon afterwards accompanied the expedition under Colonel McDonnell to Tapapa. Upon that column being divided, he was ordered to accompany Major Kepa's party, with fifty of the Armed Constabulary, marching through the bush to Oropi, where Colonel Fraser had checked Te Kooti. Te Kooti having got through to the Uriwera country, Captain Morrison proceeded, with part of the column, to Taupo and again took up the command at Tapuaeharuru, participating in the several expeditions to prevent Te Kooti from entering the King country.

In October, 1871, he was ordered to Tokanu, at the south end of Lake Taupo, to organise a party of natives for the purpose of watching and scouting the tracks along the Kaimanawa Ranges. In 1872 he was sent to the Waikato district, and in 1878 to Taranaki, where Te Whiti, the prophet, began to be troublesome, and was stationed at Opunake, Pukehinau, and Cape Egmont. At the Parihaka demonstration he commanded No. 7 company.

In October, 1883, on the Government deciding to occupy the Kawhia district, Captain Morrison proceeded there with the party under Major Tuke, and in May, 1885, was appointed to the command of the batteries at the North Head, Auckland.

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LIEUT.-COLONEL. STAPP.

LIEUT.-COLONEL STAPP joined Her Majesty's 58th Regiment in April, 1842, and came out to New South Wales the following year. When Heke's war broke out in the North, the 58th Regiment was ordered to New Zealand, and the Colonel was present at the attack on the Okaihau Pa, on the 8th May, 1845. Forming one of the forlorn hope that stormed the Ohaeawae Pa, he particularly distinguished himself on that occasion by carrying a wounded man off the field under a heavy fire. He was afterwards at the night attack up the Waikare River, and was engaged at the recapture of a hill on the 1st July, 1845; was present at the assault and capture of Kawiti's Pa, at Ruapekapeka, on the 11th January, 1846, which event terminated the war. Returning to England, he volunteered for service in the Crimea, and received the appointment of Staff Officer to Lord William Paulett, who commanded in the Bosphorus, where he remained until the breaking up of the military establishment at Scutari, on the 31st July, 1856.

Returned to New Zealand in 1857, and, on his regiment being ordered home the following year, he retired from the Imperial service, and was appointed Adjutant, of the Taranaki Militia. In March, 1860, he greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Waireka, by the judgment and coolness he displayed during the day, and in drawing off his wounded at night, after the Imperial forces had retired. In 1865, he was appointed to the expeditionary force sent to Opotiki, to avenge the murders of Volkner and Fulloon, and was several times engaged with the enemy. After relinquishing the command, he again returned to Taranaki, and was placed in charge of the force that recovered the bodies of the Rev. Mr. Whiteley, Lieutenant and Mrs. Gascoigne and children, and the two settlers who were murdered by the natives. His name has been continually mentioned in despatches, and he has received the thanks of the Government on several occasions. On the 21st March, 1872, Major Atkinson, on behalf of the officers of the district, presented him with a field officer's sword, in appreciation of his services, and the Government has placed him at present in command of the militia and volunteer district extending from the White Cliffs to Rangitikei.

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BISHOP WILLIAMS.

BISHOP WILLIAMS was at Whaerenga-a-Hika in March, 1868, when Kereopa made his first appearance in the Bay. His advent caused the greatest excitement among the Bishop's people. Nearly 500 of them rushed to arms, and insisted upon proceeding to the village of Taureka, where Kereopa was, announcing their intention of either expelling him from the district, or handing him over to the pakehas as a murderer. Bishop Williams evidently did not place much reliance on these valiant words; he feared the effect of the prophet's influence on the fickle Maori mind, and determined to accompany them. His men remonstrated, but to no purpose, for his lordship was firm. When they arrived at the village of Taureka, Kereopa was surrounded by the people of the place, who had evidently fallen under his influence. This was so patent to the Bishop's party that they forgot all about the expelling and capturing, and contented themselves with sitting down quietly and speechifying. The usual amount of talk ensued, and the result was that these rabid churchmen welcomed the murderer by rubbing noses with him. This concluded, Kereopa walked up and offered his hand to the bishop, who refused it. Kereopa demanded the reason, and his lordship replied, "I see blood dripping from your fingers." This was a sufficient answer. The prophet walked off somewhat crestfallen, and the bishop seeing that a large majority of his people would join the new religion, left them and returned to his own home. Things now went rapidly from bad to worse, Kereopa openly urging the murder of the bishop; but the tribes had hardly reached the pitch of fanaticism which was necessary before they could kill a man from whom they had received nothing but kindness; and the faithful few mounted guard every night at Waerenga-a-Hika.

By this time the Government had received information as to the state of affairs in the Bay, and fearing that the Rev. Mr. Volkner's fate might overtake the bishop, despatched a steamer to bring him and his family to Napier. His lordship handed his property over to the old catechist and left. Scarcely had they reached the steamer when Kereopa and his converts arrived to loot and burn his house, but old Haronga seated himself on a pile of valuables and declared that nothing should move him. The house was not burnt, and old Haronga saved the property.

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COLONEL HAULTAIN.

COLONEL HAULTAIN was born at Stoney Stratford, in Buckinghamshire, his ancestors being of Dutch extraction, having come over with William of Orange, in 1688. They were a race of soldiers, and from that date to the present have had their representatives in the Imperial service. At the age of fourteen the Colonel entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, and obtained his commission in 1834, when he was ordered on foreign service, ten years of which were spent in India. He was placed on the Quartermaster-General's staff, with the Army of Reserve, then assembled at Ferozepore, with a view of covering the return of the army operating in Afghanistan. The Gwalior campaign succeeding, he took part in the same, serving with his regiment, the 39th, at the battle of Maharajpoor.

Some four years later he returned to England with his regiment. He was then adjutant, but soon after gaining his company was appointed Staff Officer of Pensioners, and in 1849 brought out to New Zealand the eighth division of Fencibles.

This detachment was first located at Onehunga, but on the retirement of Lieut.-Colonel Grey he was removed to Panmure. On the completion of his term of service with the Pensioners, namely, seven years, the Colonel retired from the army, and in 1856 settled down to farming pursuits at Mangere in company with the late lamented Colonel Nixon. On the outbreak of the war in 1860 Colonel Haultain's military services were availed of by the Government in organising the Auckland Militia, he becoming Lieut.-Colonel of the first battalion. Shortly after the opening of the Waikato campaign of 1863 the Government enrolled a large force of military settlers, in order to occupy the confiscated lands, and guard the frontier. This force was formed into four regiments, Lieut.-Colonel Haultain having the command of one of them, the 2nd Waikato Regiment, then stationed at Alexandra. He was present at the engagement at Orakau, and here he gained the rank of Colonel for his services on the field on that day, and was afterwards promoted Colonel-Commandant of the four Waikato regiments.

In 1865 he resigned his military post to attend the session of the General Assembly. Here he was in opposition to the Weld

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Ministry with respect to the policy of the removal of the Imperial forces. Colonel Haultain entered the Assembly in 1859 as member for the Southern Division of Auckland, having defeated Mr. David Graham by a majority of one. At the general election of 1861 he was defeated by Mr. Charles Taylor, but was again returned in 1864 as the representative of Franklin consequent on the death of Colonel Nixon.

In October, 1865, the Weld Ministry were defeated and resigned office, and on Mr. Stafford forming a new cabinet the Colonel was offered and accepted the portfolio of Defence Minister. In this capacity, from 1865 to 1869, he supervised the location of the military settlers, and directed the operations of the colonial forces on both the east and west coasts of the North Island, a period which included the Wanganui Campaign, opening with Turi-turi Mokai, the crossing over the great Ngaire swamp after Titokowaru, the siege and capture of Ngatapa, and finishing with the expeditions into the Uriwera country. The operations of the Whakamarama expedition in the vicinity of Tauranga were conducted by Colonel Haultain in person until stricken down with rheumatic fever, which compelled him to retire from active service.

Colonel Haultain went out of office with his colleagues in June, 1869, and received the title of Honourable on the recommendation of His Excellency the Governor, having served the colony as Defence Minister over three years. At the general election in 1870, the Colonel declined to stand for re-election, retiring from that date from active political life. In 1871 he was made a member of the Flax Commission, drew up a report on the workings of the Native Lands Act, took charge of the payment of the Imperial pensioners, became Trust Commissioner under the Native Lands Frauds Preventive Act, and, on the death of Colonel Balneavis, succeeded to the office of sheriff, the duties of which he fulfilled until it was united with that of registrar. He was trustee of St. John's College and Grammar School, member of the Board of Education, joint secretary of the Howe-street Industrial Home, and was selected by the present Government to represent the Colony of New Zealand in the reception given in Sydney to the New South Wales contingent on their return from the Egyptian campaign. The Colonel's bearing as Defence Minister was, although firm, most gracious. A strict disciplinarian himself, giving his whole mind to any duty he undertook, he naturally expected all under him to do the same.

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MAJOR S. NEILL.

SAMUEL NEILL enlisted in Ireland in Her Majesty's 65th Regiment, or Royal Bengal Tigers (as they were always called), when quite a young man, and after a few years of home service was despatched with his regiment to New Zealand, where they remained until the rebellion was nearly over, a period of twenty years. His diary, which I give verbatim, shows the vicissitudes the regiment passed through, and how a steady, sensible soldier can rise from the lowest ranks of the service to one of the highest, in a short space of time, if he only takes advantage of the opportunities that offer in the daily routine of life. He left the regiment on the expiration of his term of service as Colour-sergeant to join the colonial force as the author's Quartermaster-sergeant and has now retired a Major of Militia, a rank which his steady conduct and constant attention to his duties fully entitled him to.

THE ROYAL BENGAL TIGERS.

DIARY OF AN OLD 65TH MAN.

"Her Majesty's 65th Regiment landed in Auckland on the 26th of March, 1847, and on the following January my company with others were drafted to Wellington. During the year 1849 I was sent into the commissariat department, where I remained until the issue of ration rum to the troops was discontinued. In September, 1853, I was sent on detachment to Porirua until that post was broken up when I again returned to Wellington, acting as Commissariat-sergeant on board the Shepherdess while shifting troops to Wanganui. The war having in the meantime broken out in Taranaki, and the volunteers and militia of the colony called out, I was sent to Turakina to assist in drilling this portion of the newly-raised force; but the rebellion spreading I was called upon to join my company and we landed at Taranaki in July, 1861, and immediately marched for the Waitara, occupying a redoubt until recalled to garrison the town so as to enable the 57th Regiment quartered there to take the field, which they did on the following

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morning by marching southwards and occupying the country by building three redoubts, variously named St. Patrick's, St. Andrew's, and St. George's. They were just finished and manned when the Governor and General Cameron arrived. This was in April, 1863, and preparations for the winter campaign commenced, urged on by the massacre of Lieutenant Tragett, Dr. Hope and nine non-commissioned officers and men, who were ambuscaded by the natives at the Wairoa Stream on their way to town; one man alone escaped by running for his life. On his reaching St. Andrew's Redoubt a relief party was sent out, who found nothing but the dead and mutilated bodies of their comrades.

"The news of the massacre caused a fearful commotion in town, the volunteers and militia clamouring to be allowed to avenge their deaths, while the whole of the Imperial force involuntarily got under arms, expecting orders to march immediately, and were greatly disappointed when the only orders given were that three hundred men proceed to meet and assist the party bringing in the bodies. No further steps were taken until the 3rd of June, when orders were issued that the militia and volunteers should garrison the town, and that the whole of the Imperial force parade at sundown in light marching order, with ninety rounds of ammunition per man; the artillery and baggage waggons to start one hour before the troops, under proper escort. On arrival at St. Patrick's Redoubt, the 57th were relieved by 200 of the 70th, and, on reaching St. Andrew's Redoubt, the 70th replaced the 57th there also, while the 40th, 200 strong, relieved the headquarters of the 57th at St. George's. We then formed in column by regiments--mounted and foot artillery on the right, Royal Engineers next, the 57th and 65th, and 100 men of the 70th on the left.

"General Cameron then addressed us, saying that he was about to attack and carry by assault the Kai-taka-turia Pa on the hill in front, to avenge the loss of the officers and men who fell at the Wairoa Stream, and he knew well we would uphold the prestige of the British army. The 57th immediately begged the honour of the storming party, and that their old friends, the Tigers, should support them, which was immediately granted; and the whole force piled arms and laid down to rest until daybreak. All was profound stillness, when, as the first streaks of dawn appeared, the quiet was broken by a shell on its flight from a man-of-war in the offing opening the ball. The force sprang to their feet as one man, fell in by companies, and moved off by divisions from the right. The 57th and 65th, extended in skirmishing order, doubled up the hill, and the attack commenced. The natives reserved their fire until the 57th was close up to the pa, when the dogs of war were let loose in earnest. Nothing daunted, the 57th made straight for the pa, and, despite the Maori fire and tomahawk, threw themselves over the pallisades in every conceivable manner, and, with the old Tigers at their heels, were soon in possession of the pa. In fact, the 57th had fairly taken it before the reserve got properly up. Many of the natives in the pa took refuge in their

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whares, and could only be got out by setting fire to them. The loss on our side was four killed and twelve wounded, while 54 dead bodies of the enemy were visible, besides three consumed in the whares. A few escaped, and, after our dead and wounded were collected, we started in pursuit, and had just found their whereabouts, when from all parts of the field the bugle sounded the halt, retire, and double, while orders were issued to leave all behind, and make for the beach to embark on board the man-of-war, as the town had been attacked during our absence. And it was not until after we had rounded the Sugar Loaf Rocks, we could see that it was an Exeter Hall or a political dodge to save the natives. The killed and wounded had been got on board, as well as the 57th and 65th, while the 70th and baggage were to return by the road.

"A few days after the attack, the Governor and General both left for Auckland, as affairs began to look very 'pouri' in the Waikato, and on the morning of the 28th June, just as another expedition was about to start from Taranaki, under Colonel Warre of the 57th Regiment, to make a second attack on the Kai-taka-turia Pa, the natives having returned and taken possession of it in our absence, a man-of-war steamer was seen in the distance, evidently coming from Auckland, and our expedition was postponed until after her arrival in the roadstead. Captain Sullivan, the officer in command of the vessel, came on shore, having despatches for Colonel Warre, to embark without delay the men of the 40th, 65th, and 70th Regiments, as they were required in Auckland. Consequently the second expedition fell through. The natives, remaining in comfortable possession of their fortifications, and verily believing we dared not again attack them, acquired boldness in their future operations against us.

"The men and baggage were soon on board, and we left the same evening for Auckland, arriving on the night of the 29th. As the 2nd battalion of the 18th Royal Irish were daily expected, being under orders to relieve the 65th, ordered home, every preparation was made by the men for embarking on their arrival, and great were the rejoicings of the old Tigers when, on the 4th July, the 18th Royal Irish arrived. But, alas! they were doomed to disappointment by orders received on the 9th to proceed to Drury, and not to take with them anything further than a change, their great-coats, and one blanket each, as they would not be away more than nine days. We arrived in Drury on the 10th, and, having pitched camp, the whole regiment assembled together for the first time since leaving Dublin in 1845, a period of eighteen years. After the men had dined the whole regiment fell in, and were each served with a tomahawk, haversack, and ninety rounds of ammunition, when some artillery and the right wing of the 65th, under Colonel Wyatt, started for Tuakau; 100 artillery, some of the 18th Royal Irish, and the left wing of the 65th, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Murray, left for Kirikiriroa, to warn all the natives who were disloyal to the Queen to cross the Waikato river within fourteen

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days, or they would be treated as rebels, and taken prisoners. After performing this duty the Captain of my company applied and obtained permission for his men to do duty as bush rangers, so that we were out nearly every night, scouring the bush and forming convoys to protect the commissariat drays that left Drury every morning for the Queen's Redoubt. On the 17th of July, while the grog was being served out, a volley was heard from the direction of Shepherd's Bush, and, at the call for the bush rangers, we did not even wait to fall in, but each one ran as fast as he could in the direction of the firing. It turned out to be an attack made by the Maoris on a small convoy returning from the Queen's Redoubt to Drury, in command of Captain Ring, of Her Majesty's second battalion of the 18th, on a very dangerous part of the road. Captain Ring had retired with some of his men to Martin's Farm. On arrival we found the Maoris so busy plundering the commissariat drays that they did not notice our approach, and the first volley made them scatter away into the bush, where we followed them, until we got abreast of Martin's Farm, where we were joined by some men from Williamson's Clearing, who had also heard the firing; and as we started back again to look for Captain Ring we picked up four men of the 18th Regiment and one of the 70th killed, besides twelve of the 18th wounded, and carried them back to Drury.

"During the running skirmish there was a man of the 65th Regiment named Gallagher, who, annoyed at seeing a huge Maori urging on the rest to stand and fight the pakeha, ran after him and shot him down, and on examining him found he had on three shirts and a large Hauhau flag wrapped round his chest, measuring nine feet in length. Having buried him decently we cut and planted a flagstaff near him, on which we hoisted the Maori flag with the Union Jack over it. This was the first brush in the Waikato district.

"The fourteen days having expired, the Artillery (under Lieutenant Rate), the 18th Regiment (under Major Inman), with 300 of the 65th Regiment, the whole under the command of Colonel Murray, started to pay another visit to Kirikiri to see if the Maoris had obeyed orders and cleared out of the district. On our arrival at Papakura we fell in with Colonel Nixon's two troops of volunteer cavalry, and at daylight the following morning the force was divided. One part, under Major Inman, started for Wairoa; the other part, under Colonel Murray, for Kirikiri. We advanced in light skirmishing order and took two pas without firing a shot. Fulloon, the Maori interpreter who was with Colonel Murray's party, found out from an old Maori in the pa that all the fighting men were in the bush, and would soon be returning; he consequently advised Colonel Murray to plant his prisoners under guard in the whares, and get his men under cover in the bush around the pa. He had hardly done so when about a dozen women came in with swags on their back, followed by the men walking in Indian file, armed with guns, tomahawks and spears. They had

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just formed up inside the pa when, at a signal given, the troops made a rush and took them prisoners, while the interpreter shouted out to them in Maori that the soldiers would not harm them if they laid down their arms. Major Inman was also successful in taking a pa, so that the first lot of Maori prisoners taken in the Waikato war were sent down to Otahuhu, while Captain Ring and two hundred of the 18th Regiment were left in charge of the district, with orders to erect redoubts and keep it clear of Maori rebels.

"Soon after this, a settler went into the bush for a load of firewood, and was waylaid and shot, the natives taking his bullocks and dray. No sooner was this known than Colonel Wyatt, of the 65th, ordered out some of the 18th and 65th men to search for the murdered man, and they found him in a Maori clearing near the bush, and on the way to Hay's farm, hearing heavy firing towards Kirikiri, Colonel Wyatt started off in that direction. On arrival the only occupant of the pa was found to be an old decrepit woman who told us the Maoris were all in the bush and pointed out a road which she stated they had taken, but the Colonel, not deeming it necessary to go further, returned with the dead body to Drury, where he was overtaken by the bugler of the Royal Artillery, who informed Colonel Wyatt that Captain Ring was surrounded in the bush, and had already one man killed and four wounded. 'Right-about-turn' was the order given, and back again to Kirikiri we marched, taking the track the Maori woman had pointed out, and we had not proceeded far when we came upon the unfortunate man's bullocks, and a little further on we saw a scout perched up in a tree, who gave the alarm; but a corporal of ours, who was leading, soon brought him down, and we all made for the clearing, where we found some of the rebels sitting quietly around their fires cooking, while the rest kept up a brisk fire on Captain Ring and the 18th. Our first fire dispersed them like magic as they rolled themselves down the hill and disappeared in the bush. Colonel Wyatt, fancying he had got between two fires, ordered the 65th regimental call to be sounded, when a cheer to the left showed the position of the 18th, whom we hastened to relieve. We then followed up the Maoris, knocking over nine of them in the skirmish. At this moment we were joined by Lieutenant Rate and his artillerymen, whom he had dismounted, and were armed with revolvers and swords. We only lost one man, private Meade, of No. 1 Company, and I succeeded in taking a first-class double-barrel gun, tomahawk and spear. I handed the spear over to Dr. White, while the gun and tomahawk I had to give up on our return to camp. We remained on the ground until Captain Ring took off his detachment and returned to Drury.

"Soon afterwards we were relieved by the 70th Regiment and shifted to Queen's Redoubt, where we were broken up into small detachments and sent to Razorback, Williamson's Clearing, Martin's Farm, and other places along the old South Road, where the convoys had to pass. One of our sentries noticing a body of Maoris crossing the road between Razorback and our redoubt, I

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increased the guard that night, in case of an attack. All was quiet until day dawn, when a volley was heard away to the left, a post occupied by the 1st Waikatos. Fifty of our men, under Colonel Murray, started as quick as possible, guided by the firing, and arrived only in time to have a parting shot. Here Captain Saltmarch was wounded, and we lost one man, Private John McKay; the Maoris lost heavily. We had hardly got back to breakfast, when the alarm was again sounded, firing being heard in the neighbourhood of Razorback, and away we started again, the Maoris having this time attacked the convoy close to the redoubt. Only two men were wounded. One a young man, or rather lad, was wounded in the hand, the ball passing between two of his fingers without breaking any bones. Nevertheless it caused the young soldier to cry out so lustily, 'Oh mother, dear, I am kilt!' as to amuse the whole of his company.

"The next skirmish we had was on the day the Maoris killed the two sentries placed over the arms of the 40th while the men were felling bush between Razorback and Williamson's Clearing. The advanced guard of the convoy saw the Maoris crossing the road into the bush, carrying the captured rifles, and two of the convoy fired at them, and one man was seen to fall, but he rose again, when Captain Clark, who was in charge of the Convoy, jumping off his horse, asked the man what distance he had sighted his rifle. He replied 600 yards; and Captain Clark, taking a loaded rifle from another man, sighted it and fired at the same Maori, who was limping behind the others, and brought him down a second time. He again tried to rise, when a large black dog belonging to one of the men caught him and held him until we got up. The remainder got clear away with the fifty stand of new rifles.

"A few days after, the Maoris attacked Razorback Redoubt, where two companies of the 65th were stationed. One of the sentries noticed a bush that seemingly got nearer and nearer to him. He thought it so strange that he told the next sentry to look out, and pass the word into the redoubt to hold themselves in readiness. The bush still advanced, and, just as the sentry was about to fire, a Maori darted out with rifle levelled, but the sentry was too quick for him, and shot him dead before he could get his weapon to his shoulder. The next moment a regular volley was fired from the surrounding bush, riddling the tents and wounding three of the men. The Maori killed turned out to be a chief who had adopted that method of leading his men. We gave him a burial suited to his rank, some of the men erecting a slab to his memory.

"Soon after, we were shifted to the Queen's Redoubt, and from there were sent one night to strengthen the Whangamarino Redoubt, overlooking Meremere, which was threatened with an attack. While here, an outlying picket, a young lad of the 12th Regiment, seeing something resembling a pig moving about in the dark, hesitated to fire for fear of being laughed at by his comrades;

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when suddenly this supposed pig sprang upon him, making a desperate blow at his head with a long-handled tomahawk, but struck his rifle just where the sentry had his left thumb ready to fire. The force of the blow severed the thumb from his hand, and the yell he gave was heard all over the camp, but the Maori got away clear. The lad was in the hospital for two months.

"Subsequently, Lieutenant Pickard was sent up the Waikato River with two guns to shell Meremere. This pa was situated about nine miles from the Queen's Redoubt, on the bank of the river. General Cameron ordered up two gunboats, the Avon and Pioneer. Their bulwarks were iron-plated to withstand bullets, and all the best marksmen were collected and sent on board, as the General wished to reconnoitre the enemy's stronghold. On the steamer arriving opposite the place the Maoris opened fire from some old ships' guns they had fixed in the forks of some trees. One of the shots penetrated the bulwarks and lodged in a cask of beef which was on deck. The cask was quickly opened and the missile was found to be the weight taken from a pair of steelyards. Taking no notice of their fire we proceeded up the river nearly to Rangiriri; when, on returning, the General ordered the artillery to get ready for action, as he was going to give the natives a volley when he arrived off Meremere. The consequence of our not returning their fire on going up the river was apparent by the confident manner in which they had assembled to annihilate us on our return. The word was now passed along to man the portholes and load, which we did quickly, and the General ordered the forty-pounders to open fire with shell, and the artillery poured in a volley which made them scamper under cover in every direction, so that a minute later not a Maori was to be seen. About twenty or thirty shells were thrown into the pa, but as no one landed the effect could not be ascertained. The General was only too anxious to be at them, but he had to wait the Governor's orders and the Governor was waiting for nobody knows who, the result being that, a day or two after, the Maoris actually came down and opened fire upon us while in the midst of divine service outside the Queen's Redoubt. After the service was over Colonel Havelock and Major Blythe, of the 40th, took out a party of men and drove them back into the bush without loss on either side. In the evening I received orders to issue a large quantity of picks, spades and shovels for the use of the troops, when word came down from Lieutenant Pickard that the Maoris were evacuating Meremere. Every man was now put in motion-steamers, vessels and every craft that would carry a man was brought into use--but the place was deserted before we arrived. They had left their big guns behind, being too heavy to remove, which we afterwards sent down to Auckland as trophies. General Cameron, after leaving a strong detachment at Meremere, returned to the Queen's Redoubt, and I again joined the store department and saw no more fighting in the Waikato.

"On the 9th of April I received my discharge and proceeded to Wanganui, and on the 29th joined the staff of militia and volun-

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teers of the district, was promoted Captain on the 19th April, 1873, and commanded the volunteers in the Patea, Rangitiki, and Wanganui districts from 1st July, 1883, to the 31st, and was further promoted to Major unattached on the 3rd April, 1883."

SERGEANT S. AUSTIN.

SERGEANT SAMUEL AUSTIN received the New Zealand Cross for gallant and distinguished conduct on the 7th January, 1866, when at the capture of the Putahi Pa, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell was severely wounded, and Sergeant Austin carried him during a great part of the engagement, under a raking fire, and finally off the field, which action was witnessed by General Chute, who then thanked him for his fearless and heroic conduct, not only in this instance, but on all occasions during the campaign on the West Coast. Also, on the 17th October, 1866, at the capture of the village of Keteoneta. Captain William McDonnell, leading a small advance guard of Maoris, came upon an ambush, and fell severely wounded. His men, leaving him, retired on the main body, who commenced to retreat, when Sergeant Austin, assisted by another man (since dead), returned to where Captain McDonnell lay on the point of being tomahawked by the enemy, and at all risks carried him off.

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