MAJOR VOR TEMPSKY. The Evening Post. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1865.

Evening Post, Issue 197, 25 September 1865, Page 2

MAJOR VOR TEMPSKY.

The Evening Post. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1865.

Certainly one of the most painful events in the history of our colonial troops occurred yesterday — nn event that may yet produce results not itnticipnted. Major Yon Tempsky refused to obey orders and proceed with his troop to Opotiki, and was placed under clos arrest. The case ia as follows : — Soon after Wereroa Pa was taken, the pay of the Forest Hangers, Major Yon Tempsky's corps, was reduced from 4s 2d to 3s Gil per diem. The men were then ordered to the East Coast, but refused uness tneir pay was again increased. ' Meanwhile Major Yon Tempsky. proceeded to Opotiki, and finding on the arrival of the expedition at that place that his corps was not a part of it, he returned io Wellington. Arrangements were made soon after, and the men were sent for to Wanganui and arrived here a few days ago ; but instead of sending them on to their scene of operation, they were detained here through some unaccountable reason. On Saturday the Major received orders to prepare lor embarkation, and later in the day he waited on the War Minister for final orders, when he received directions to proceed to Waiapu and place himself and the detachment in his charge under the command of Lieut. - Colonel Fraser. Colonel Fraser, it will be remembered, was only Captain Fraser four weeks ago, and has received his promotion eince he went to Opotiki. He is an officer of but recent standing in the service, and has not particularly distinguished himself. On receiving the orders, the Major, before leaving the office, wrote out his resignation. It is reported that he carefully concealed this from the public until yesterday, -when it leaked out through the agency of Lieutenant Westrupp and the men. When the men learned that their commanding officer would not proceed with them, they refused to embark without him and became mutinous Soon after, Mr. Westrupp was placed in command of the troop, and ordered the men to fall in for embarkation. About thirty obeyed, and went on board the Lord Ashley. The remainder of the men, about thirty in number, encamped on a piece of level ground on the Terrace. During the day the War Minister sent for the major and asked him if he were prepared to proceed to the East Coast with his troop. He refused, and after a severe reprimand was dismissed. Soon after he was informed that his resignation was not accepted, and he was again ordered to pro - ceed to the East Coast. He replied, aski ngn g

Major Atkinson to accept his resignation Again the instructions were repeated, when" Major Yon Tempsky wrote declining altogether to serve in the Colonial Force. In the afternoon instructed by the War Minister Captain Kirwan proceeded to the residence of Major Yon Tempsky and placed him under close arrest. This morning the War Minis'er sent for the sergeant who remained with the men, and learned from him that the reason why they refused to volunteer for the East Coast was not because i*-'ajor Yon Tempsky was not with them, but because tlieir pay was reduced. They have almost served their full time, and it is likely that they will be sent back to their land in the Waikato. No farther action has been taken in this case by the Government. Such is the narrative of the whole affair. That the War Minister is to blame for not being more explicit in his orders to Major Yon Tempsky there is little doubt ; but it was not sufficient grounds to justify the major in refusing to accompany his men. I Tn doing so he has left himself open to the charge of mutiny, one of the gravest offences a man in commission could possibly be ffuilty of; besides, he has set an example to the forces of the most dangerous kind. It is always expected that a commissioned officer will bear with and wait for a proper time to seek and obtain redress of any grievance he may consider himself subjected to. Major Yon Tempsky's duty, under the circumstances, w&a, after having tendered his resignation, to have proceeded to Opotiki, and there waited for its acceptance. Indeed it seems that the War Minister wrote to the officer in command at Napier, instructing him in case Major Yon Tempsky on his arrival there did not feel inclined to proceed to Opotiki to allow him to decline to do bo, and join his regiment in the Waikato. We are not aware whether this was made known to the major, but it is more than probable that it was. There is little- doubt Major Yon Tempsky's resignation would have been accepted if he had not acted so hastily, and given a reason for tendering it. But he did not do so, and now he will have to suffer the penalty. What that will be rests with the Governor or a court-martial.