Death of Major Kemp.

Manawatu Herald, 19 April 1898, Page 2

Death of Major Kemp.

Oq Friday morning, at his rea^ d«nct\ Pufiki, Wariganui the brave*" and loyal native, Major Kemp breathed his last. The deceased, who had attained the age of 75 years had been during the past few weeks suffering from bronchitis and rheumatism. He was the son of the chief and chieftainess Rere-o-Maki and Tanguru, his father being a high born native of the Waoganui River. On his mother's side be was related to the Bangitane, Ngatiapa and Ngarauru tribes, and was a nephew of the late Hori Kingi-te-Anana, who is well remembered as a consistent friend of the pakeba, Thos. Wayth Gudgeon, in his work, "The Heroes of New Zealand" states that Keopa first distinguished himself as a young, chief at the battle of Ohoutahi, ori" the Wanganui River about 1847, but owing to a dispute with his uncle, he entered the Maori police service, and subsequently accepted the post of mailman between Wellington and Wanganui. Shortly after Kemp and his uncle were reconciled, the war broke out in the Wanganui district " and Kemp with other chiefs succeeded in raising a native contingent amongst their own ■ ribas, of which' the Government made him captain, and he faithfully served his Queen and country during the war, distinguishing himself on so many occasions that be was recommended for and received the New Zealand Cross of Honour, for devoted and chivalrous conduct at Moturoa, when at the bead of a very small portion of his tribe, with which he covered the flank of the refceat, and* assiatrd h ■ removal of (he wounded, although i.-xj'O-icd to a v<u % y heavy fire at close rjin«" ; tnd for the gallantry and cons? Jinny *hown by him in conducting ih- i ursuit of Thokowaru's follower- a fun- their defeat an OtautdH on the 18 h Ma;cb, 1869. Hia forces 7 on this occasion was compose 3 entirely ff volunteers, several office vs and rainy men of the Army Con•tabulary hiving volunteered to fo'low this dißting:ii=.h j d chief, beaid s ihfr members of hid own trib). At the termination of hostilities he wj.s made a Government Lind Purchase i £50 -r of ths colony, aod .lid g od service but an unfortunate quarrel wii h another land purchaser, It d to bis dismissal from office, it is said, without any inquiry as to the eama of the dispute, although Kemp had diunnded one. This circum-

stance afterwards result- d in a sort of civil warfare between Kemp and the Goverment, which completely shut up for a time the native trade en the Wanganui River, much to tho disgust of the settlers."

Dr. Buller Q.0.M., in the course of his speech on the occasion of the presentation of New Zealand war mfdals to certain loyal natives, said 'hah, possessing as he did natural gifts of a very high order, " Major Kemp had better opportunities than most men of establishing a name for himself among the tribes, and making his mana felt in the district. Speaking of Major Kemp's services in the field, Sir Walter Buller said " that when he first came to the district, in 1864, Ktmp had just received a commission as ensign or lieutenant !in the native contingent un&7 ; Captain (now Colonel) McDonnell After performing good service^ at Pipiriki K mp was ordered, with the rest of the contingent, to Opotiki, for .he purpose of breaking up a hau bau combination there and avenging the murder of the Rev Mr Volkner. On his return from tha' expedition he served with McDonnell und^£» General Cameron, and subsequently under Major General Chute, thoughnit the campaigns on the West Coast. He assisted Sir George Grey at the taking at the Wereroa Pah, and he fought under Colonels McDonnell and Whitmore, distinguishing himpelf on all occasions by htl daring courage. He is also said to hav^* been present at the taking of everf^ pa, and to havo on more occasions than one been instrumental in saving our native allies from defeat. In recognition of his services he was first promoted to the rank of captain, and afterwards to that of Major|; when the rebellion had been crushed on the West Coast, Kemp was instructed by the Government to or-

ganise an expedition into the interior

for the pursuit of tha Te Kooti and

his band of murderous fanatics. Of his force he took the chief command

himself, and became known among the natives as "General Kemp. 1 '

Starting from the bead waters of the Wanganui he pursued the enemy across the Murimotu Plains to the East Coast, and thence back into the Opiwa mountains, where, after a great deal of hard fighting he eucceeded in quelling and dispersing Te Eooti's band, Hakaraia, one of the murderers of Volkner, and several other leading chiefs being killed, and Te Kooti himself barely escaping with his life. Major Kemp returned to Wanganui from this victory covered with military honour, and received the thanks and congratultions of his Pakeha and Maori friends in this district. He afterwards received in public, at Wellington, the handsome sword, presented to him by Her Majesty the Queeen, in recognition of his loyalty and bravery. Mrs Fox, when handing over the sword, expressed on that occasion au earnest hope that it might always remain in its sheath, a hope that has we are pleased to say, been fully realised.

Major Kemp was married three times, and by his first wife had one child— Wiki (Mrs Loo Davis) -who still survives him. He had no other children. He will be succeeded by his nephew, Rangi Hakaraia, his sister Hora's son, who is now 28 years of age. The deceased will be -accorded a military funeral.

Captain Watt received a reply from Colonel Newall stating that a military funeral would certainly be held, at which he hoped to see all the local volunteers.

Captain Watt also received the following message from the Colonel commanding the New Zealand forces : — " Please express to the relatives of the late Major Kemp my sympathy with them in the loss of so gallant an officer. (Signed)- A. P. Penton, Colonel Commanding N.Z. Forces.''

The deceased will in all probability be burried on tha hill behind Putiki, near the grave of his uncle.

Early to bed, early to rise, never get drunk and advertise. Paste this in yer hat if you can't remember it. Why ? Because its the first step on the golden stairs. There is only one more solid fact than this. " That Woods' Great Peppermint Cure is the best and most effectual cough mixture this side of the line. The price is not prohibitive, Is. 6d, and 2s. 6d. Tour grocer keeps it. YOU CAN'T Have a cake and eat it too, but you can have your meat and keep it in the warmest of weather by using " Salsaune," the great food preservative. •

A SAFE INVESTMENT Of money is the problem of the day, buyiog " Salsalinb '' is a safe investment, for one shilling packet preserves twenty shillings worth of Milk, Meat, and all such perishable goods, and is odourless and harmless.

Fob Coughs ahd Colds Take Wood's Gkeat Peppermint Cure. 1/6 and 2/6