SIR G. GREY AND THE MUTINY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 498, 23 October 1909, Page 4

SIR G. GREY AND THE MUTINY.

There seems to be no means of getting an absolutely reliable statement in regard to the responsibility for diverting British troops to India during the Mutiny. Most New Zealanders like to think that it was their national hero, Sir George Grey, who stopped the troops at Capetown, when they were on their way to China, and thus “ saved India.” Sir George Grey himself, apparently, allowed his friends to believe that it was he who took the responsibility, and many of his admirers, notably Mr W. TRees, his first biographer, have accepted the statement without question. His latest biographer, Mr James Collier, who deals very frankly with the old statesman’s failings and loibles, declares emphatically that “ Grey had no more to do with the diversion than the man in the moon ’ ’ ; and now, in a recent issue of the Tondon Times, lieutenant C. R. Tow, the author of “ A history of the Indian Mutiny,” tells us that Sir George Grey’s claim is wellfounded. Tieutenant Tow gives a detailed account of the circumstances connected with the despatch of troops from the Cape. He states that when the Mutiny broke out, Tord Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay, sent Captain Griffith Jenkins in a chartered steamer to the Mauritius and the Cape, with power to solicit aid, in men, horses and money from the Governors of those colonies. On arriving at Simon’s Bay, Captain Jenkins went at once to Cape Town and waited upon Sir George Grey at eight o’clock in the morning. Sir George, realising the urgency of the case, immediately summoned the Cape Parliament, and Captain Jenkins appeared before it and personally pleaded for help. His eloquence was effective, and the members, putting party considerations on one side passed a motion expie sing a hope that the Governor would “support the honour of our Sovereign and the dignity of this Colony by such energetic measures as will prove to the world the strong union of all for' our Sovereign. Sir George Grey then sent to India three regiments, the thirteenth, the eightyninth, and the ninety-fifth, two batteries of artillery, 1000 horses, including his own carriage horses, and ;£60,000 in specie. At the same time, according to Tieuj tenant Tow, he diverted the men intended for China, and also transports with soldiers for Australia and New Zealand, Captain Jenkins drawing up fresh contracts for these troops. Tieulenant Tow feels, with a good deal of justification, evidently, that his old friend, Captain Jenkins, should receive more honourable mention than he L has received in connection with the affair. Privately his services were recognised by the Foreign Department of the Indian Government, which in a letter to him, stated that “the steps taken by you for diverting the passage of the troops who were proceeding from England to China and Australia to British India are approved.” Tieutenant Tow claims that Sir George Grey acted wisely and promptly on Captain Jenkins’ representations, and in that way, although he may not have “ saved India,” he earned the gratitude of all his countrymen. —Tyttelton Times.