COLONEL WHITMORE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 650, 25 January 1869, Page 2

COLONEL WHITMORE.

A corespondent of the Canterbury Pres.% signing himself L.0.P., writes a letter under the heading of "Waiting for Whitmore," in which he severely censures the Government for retaining such men as Colonels Whitmore and M'Donnell, whom he considers have shown themselves to butterly incompetent to discharge the important duties entrusted to llu-m, in com mand of the colonial forces; and recom mends that more capable men should at| once be substituted for these officers, lie eavs .—"I am aware that an officer in this province, retired but lately from h<r Majesty's service with high military rank, honors, and experience, offered his sword to the Government without a sous of pay, or allowances. This gentleman's experience in the army, as one next in rank to a major-general, is undoubtedly greater than that obtained by Colonel Whitmore, or Haulttsin, whose duties when serving con sisted in reporting that'as captains, and subalterns of the day, they had visited the men's dinners, and inspected the tailors' jjhops,'" To show the falsehood of this letter it is only necessary to refer to the British Army List, from which we make the following extract: — " Major Whitmore served in the latter part of the Kaffir war in 1847. Was in the action of Boem Plaats and defeat of the Insurgent Boers in 1848. Served throughout the Ksifiif war of 1851-52. and was present with the 2nd Division in nearly every affair, including the storming of the Iron Mountain. Commanded Sir Harry Smith's escort from March to Nov. 1851, during,which time ho was repeatedly employed as a staff officer with the various columns on patrol. Acted as Major of Brigade to tho 2nd Division from Nov. 1851 to Oct. 185 - J ; and as Briga'de Major to the Cavalry Brigade in the Expedition Under Sir Georgo Cathcart, ending in the battle of Berea. He h::s had two horses shot under him in action, and has been repeatedly thanked in Brigade a: d Division Orders, as well as in tho General Orders find Despatches of Sir H. Smith and of Sir G-. Cathcart (Medal). Brevet Major, and dib Class of tho Medjidie, for Service with ihd Turkish Contingent,"