A GALLANT DEED

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1920, Page 4

A GALLANT DEED

MAORI WAR INCIDENT,

Tilt) Wellington Orphans' Club is taking steps to establish a. periinnont memorial to Bugler Allen, the gallant bugler boy of the 58th Foot Regiment, who was killed by the Maoris at Boulcott’s Farm in 1816 alter bravely sounding tlie alarm aid warning his comrades of the appro id] of the Maoris. Jt is intended to establish some perpetual memorial on ‘he site of the old camp, which is definitely known. The club is also endeavouring to locate the bugle, which is believed to bo still ill New Zealand, and 10 secure it as a national trophy. For many years the bugle remained in the possession of the natives who fully appreciated the lad’s lira very. The club invites subscriptions to the fund lor the erection of the memorial.

Bugler AHcnVbravo action at lioulcott’s Farm lias now been perpetuated by Ids regiment—now the 2nd Battalian of the Northamptonshire’s, stationed at Ihawal I’indi, in India, iii a silver bugle inscribed ns follows:—“l’o perpetuate the memory of the bravery and devotion of Bugler Allen, 58th. Regiment, killed at Boujeott’s Farm, New Zealand, while sounding the alarm his right arm being shattered by a tomahawk; holding the bugle in uis left, bo continued the call till hacked to pieces by Maoris, May 16tli, 1815; and of Drummer Twfllv, 58 th. Regiment who took the drum from the French' at Salamanca, 1812.” The. bugle is carried by the commanding officer’s bugler, and is a much sought after honour by the boys of tbo drums. The drum mentioned in the inscription hangs over the colours in the officers mess at R.awal Rindi.

an old qmcrAL account. An old official account, describes the incident as a result of which Bugler Allen met. illis death is as follows: 'Early in 1916, seventeen settlors of the llutt were plundered, and Colonel J inline marched 806 soldiers up the valley in order to punish the delinquents. They withdrew to an impregnable pa in the adjacent hills; difficult to approach, and 200 soldiers were therefore left in the valley for the protection of the settlers. Meanwhile, Governor .Grey collected all his available forces in Auckland and took them with him to Wellington in 1810; 680 men, with two guns and two howitzers, were now posted at the Mutt, and offers of assistance were received from friendly native chiefs. The troops were directed to prevent the supply of provisions to the enemy, and the latter found it necessary, therefore, to retire still further into the interior. About the middle of April they eluded the soldiers, made a successful foray into the llutt, murdered a hoy and declared that every occupant would he served in a similar way. As ITangipaeata was the reputed leader of the lawless party which committed this outrage, 200 soldiers were sent to garrison a stockade at Porirua, seventeen miles from Wellington, and in close proximity to the chief's fastness. An hour before day-' light on May 16th, oil soldiers of the 58th Regiment, stationed under Lieut. Page at Bouleott’s Firm, in the valley of the Mutt, were surprised and six soldiers were slain and four wounded.

Athwart the gloom of this tragic occurrence, the simple and yet lofty heroism of a bugler hoy named Allen sheds a light akin to that of poetic romance. Struck with a tomahawk in the right arm while about to sound the alarm, with undaunted spirit he raised the bugle with bis uninjured left hand and blew a blast that- roused his comrades, but cost him his own life, for the next moment he was felled to the earth with a deadly blow.