MAORI WAR HERO

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 20, 6 April 1938, Page 1

MAORI WAR HERO

MAJOR VON TEMPSKY . ONLY DAUGHTER PASSES LINK WITH EARLY DAYS Old settlers of Poverty Bay will have noted with deep regret tlie passing of Airs Lina Kettle, Napier, who formed a link 'by immediate blood ties with one of the most romantic figures of the era oi war and pioneering in the Dominion. Airs Kettle was the only daughter of Alajor von T.empsky, who served tlie British Government with great distinction as a. bush lighter, his services having been poorly requited by those in authority in his generation, though he left a tradition of unsurpassed courage and resource, outstanding in a- period when many men had opportunities to demonstrate these eh a rcter isti cs. Yon Tempsky hud an ancient connection with Poverty Bay, and was a valued acquaintance of the older generation of settlers in this district. Tlie war on the East Coast had harrowing recollections for him, however, as it was an order to place himself under another officer in the YVaiapu that broke him as an independent commander of troops Commissioned as Ertsfgn. Coming to New Zealand just as the Waikatoi district was beginning to fame with disaffection, Alajor Yon Tempsky had already had some experience of war in the Central American States, and lie quickly had his services accepted by General Guneron, then in command of the imperial troops in the colony. He was commissioned as an ensign in the newly: raised Eorest Rangers commencing service in August, 1863. He showed conspicuously m 1.-ush warfare in the Waikato, and gained a, personal ascendancy which invested liis name with the greatest respect among friends and enemies alike. He took part in a number of engagements and invariably distinguished himself iu command of lijs independent unit, it became the practice to semi him in advance of the Imperial columns and lie was mainly responsible for lhe overturning of the famous stronghold ol Orakau, after which battle he was given liis majority. -\ v * ' '. V, Ordered 1 to th© Waiapu. After nearly three years’ service Alajor von Tempsky was ordered to proceed to the. East Coast to serve, with his men, under Lieut-l-Colouel AlcDonnell. He considered that an injustice had been ' done to his record of service, Lieut.-Col. ALcDoiiell having been promoted over liis head, and' he offered liis resignation. His men of the Forest Rangers, more loyal to Von Tempsky than to the Govern-

nient, also refused to serve ■without him, and the upshot was that after being urged to proceed to the EastCoast, he was placed Under arrest and deprived of his sword. His quarrel with the Governmeat was patched up subsequently, and he withdrew In's resignation, serving at Wanganui and in the surrounding: district, though never again with an independent command. He fell atRuaruru, while serving with the- Armed Constabulary. A Prussian by birth, Major Ytfit Temp sky was a romantic figure who possessed many admirable attributes besides his undoubted courage and skill in the-handling of troops. He devoted much of' his leisure to writing and was the author of several : ,Y »Micntions wliile still a young ma»»TJr f I>a<l liad numerotjs adventures i’" Central America, and on the Australian goldfields, before he arrived in New Zealand He was a skilled artist in oils and left a number of spirited works, chiefly dealing with events in the Maori wars. At his death he was survived by Mrs Yon Tempsky and three young children, one of whom was the late Mrs Lina- Kettle, whoso death was reported from Napier. — P.B. Herald.