PEESENTATION OF THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 41, 16 February 1877, Page 2

PEESENTATION OF THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS.

The ceremony of presenting the New Zealand Cross to Mr Christopher Maling, who was sergeant of the corps of Guides through the last native war, took place in the Botanical Reserve yesterday evening in the presence of over 2000 spectators. The whole of the volunteer corps of the district, comprising the Nornianby Hussars, Artillery, City Rifles, Naval Brigade, Stoke Rifles, and the various Cadet Companies, were present, as well as the Northern Colonial Representatives, the whole beiug under the command of Captain Marshall. At half-past six, his Lordship the Bishop of Auckland, who was to present the Cross, accompanied by the Primate and a number of ladies and gentlemen, walked on to the ground, and were received by the Volunteers, who were drawn up ia line, with a general salute. The Volunteers were then formed into three sides of a square, and Mr Maling was called upon to step forward. ' He was accompanied by the only remaining members of the original No. 1 Company of Nelson City Rifles, to which corps he once belonged. These were; Captain Walmaley, Dr Reuwick,

Messrs Sharp, Everett, Lightfoot, Smallbone, Webb/Good Percy arid Hopper. The Bishop of Nelson- then said fchat he Had been requested to state that owing to the lamented death of Sir David Monro, which had occurred that morning, Major Richmond, who was to have made the presentation, had written to express his regret at being unable to take part in the proceedings. He was glad, however, to say that one who was singularly fitted to act upon such an occasion "had been found in his Lordship the Bishop of Auekland, who had kindly consented to take the part that was to have been taken by Major Richmond. Bishop Cowie then advanced, and haying shaken hands with Mr Mating, spoke as follows: — . • "Volunteers— l have been asked by Captain Marshall, your commanding officer, to present to Mr Christopher Maling the New Zealand Cross for valor, which his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to award to to him on account of acts of bravery performed in 1869. It was expected and hoped that this distinction would be presented to Mr Maling by Major Richmond, your fellowcitizen; but the. loss which he, together with the whole community of Nelson, has sustained in the death of Sir David Monro (which occurred this morning) has naturally induced him to shun any prominent part in the ceremonial of this evening. It is, I believa, in consequence of my experience with the array, in two memorable campaigns— an experience which has enabled me to appreciate acts of genuine bravery— -that I hare been entrusted with the honor of presenting to Mr Maling ; this cross. 1 It has been my lot to be present on several occasions when decorative distinctions for valor have been presented to •üb- ; jects of W Majesty. Some of these have . been giveii for the display of valor in destroying the lives of her Majesty's enemies; but on this occasion we have the gratification ,of knowing that the particular deed of bravery which this . cross is to commemorate were deeds by which; the Hires of Englishmen, and. the liyes of brave enemies, not unworthy of their consideration, ' were saved .from destruction. I will now read the extract from the Gazette describing the acts for which this : Cross is awarded: ' For most valuable and efficient services as Sergeant of the Corps, of Guides on many occasions, and especially in going out to scout in advance with three men (two of whom were shot) on the morning of the 26th February, 1869; by which an intended ambuscade was discovered, and many lives saved. And for a long reconnisance with two men of the Corps of Guides (which lasted two nights and days), in advance, to ascertain the direction of Tito Kowaru's retreat after he had evacuated Taurangahika. This service was a most daring one, and of the utmost importance to the force, and intelligence waa thus obtained which in no other way could have been procured." Turning then to Mr Maling, the Bishop said.— May you have health and strength to serve your Queen and country a3 faithf uTy in times af peace as you did formerly in a time of war. " Mrs Suter then, at the request of the Bishop of Auckland, pinned tie Cross on to Mr Maling's breast, and his Lordship called for three British cheers for the gallant Mr Maling, which were given with a will by the Volunteers and the assembled crowd. Cheers having also been given for the Bishop of Auckland and Bishop and Mrs Suter. Captain Waimsley taking Miss Maling by the hand, stepped forward, arid said that as an old settler and friend of him upon whom had just been conferred so honorable a decoration, he would ask those present to give three cheers for his sister. This invitation was warmly responded to, and the Bishop and party having retired to the saluting flag, the Volunteers were formed into column and marched past, after which they performed the same manoeuvre in quarter column, and then marched back to the Drill Shed, where they were dismissed. The following sketch of tho services rendered by the corps of Guides to whic*i Mr Maling belonged will be read with interest:— The corps of Guides was first formed by Colonel Whitmore at Wanganui in January, 1869, and consisted of six men under Mr C. Maling, who volunteered for that service, and who received the nominal rank of sergeant. Thefirst service in which the corps was engaged was on the 2 1st January, wheu tfiey went out to reconnoitre a ;bush through which the forces were to pas3 that day. After being !out all night the natives were discovered at daylight preparing an ambuscade. A fight then ensued, and the small party had to hold their ground for half an hour against 150 natives until Colonel Whitmore came up with a sufficient force to drive the enemy back. The Guides' loss on that occasion was one killed, and another severely wounded. For a month after that the corps was continually engaged in watching the enemy's movements, generally at night time, and much information was thus obtained. On {he evacuation of Taurangaika by the rebels • all trace of them was lost, when Mr Maling volunteered to go out with one man . to search for their whereabouts. After an absence of three days, one of which w.as spent within three hundred yards oZ the native encampment, he was enabled to lead the colonial forces up to the place, and but for the accidental discharge of a friendly natives' gun the rebels would have been taken quite unprepared; as it was they left everything behind, and several were killed in the bush. The natives next appeared at Otautu, where the Guides rendered efficient . service in taking a boat up the Fatea river, and obtaining such information as led to the attack on that place, which resulted in the complete defeat of the natives, but with a loss to the Guides of one killed. After leaving Otautu frequent reconnoiteing expeditions were made, which resulted in the discovery of Tito Kowaru's band fortifying themselves in theNgaere swamp, which was crossed by making wicker work fascines to the axtent of nearly a mile. Here the friendly natives, assisted by a Native Commissioner, frustrated all Colonel Whitmore's well arranged plans, by showing themselves on an eminence to the unsuspecting natives, thus giving them knowledge of the presence of the enemy The march round the back of MountfEgmont to New Plymouth closed the West Coast campaign. The next expedition was into the Uriwera country, Colonel St. John taking charge of one force from Whakatane, and Colonel Whitmore commanding the other detachment from Fort Galatea. A skirmish took place at Ahikereru, which place was taken on the following day, and an advance was made to try and join with Colonel St. John, but about midday, when the Guides were far in advance, they fell into a carefully prepared ambuscade, the natives allowing them td come within ten feet of their guns; here they lost one killed and two badly wounded, Mr Maling receiving five holes through his clothes. Owing to the delay thus caused a junction was not effected with Colonel St. John till the next night at ten o'clock, Colonel Whitmore advancing for the last five miles with the Guides alone, the main force being too fatigued to travel. During the stay in the Uriwera country the Guides were continually rendering themselves conspicuous by making excursions to obtain information, and had several engagements with small parties of natives. The Taupo country was the next scene of action, and at Porere Mr Maling led the assault by climbing over the parapet, and having a hand to hand encounter, with two. natives, both of whom he killed. Probably the most efficient . service he rendered was on the, occasion of carrying despatches from, the late Sir Donald M'Lean then at Tauranga, to Colonel M'Donnell, who was supposed to be at Taupo." Leaving

Tauranga in, the evening he arrived at Ohinemutu at daylight, got a fresh horse, and started towards Taupo. On the way a friendly native was met, who said M'Donnell had gone three days before towards Cambridge. Thinking ;much time would be gainedby cuttingstraight across the country, which was quite unknown to him, he made straight across. Seeing a smoke, and thinking it would be from the European force, he advanced cautiously, but was surprised to find it was Te Kooti and his party, and a careful retreat had to be made. His horse knocked up in the afternoon and had to be abandoned, and at nine o'clock at night another fire was observed, which was carefully approached. After a long suspense in listening for any sign to indicate who was there the camp was challenged, and turned out to be Captain Preece.with the advance guard and the : remnant of the. Guides, now reduced to five. Information was thus obtained which led to the advance to Tapupu, but through some accident the natives became aware of their presence. A large party attacked the camp, and one of the corps of;'. Quides who was alone with Mr Maling far in advance was mortally wounded. Begging : not to be left alone his companion remained/ by him exposed to a .heavy fire for a long time till aasistance.arrived. Itis satisfactory f to know that three men out of the corps of nine have received t^ia highest decoration known in. the colony. Four have been killed and two wounded. , '. ; '