PRESENTATION OF THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 119, 31 May 1876, Page 2

PRESENTATION OF THE NEW ZEALAND CROSS.

On Saturday afternoon last, according to announcement, a special.parade of the few. Armed Constabulary stationed here was held, for the purpose of presenting Dr. Walker, medical officer of the constabulary in this district, with the New Zealand Cross, bestowed on him for conspicuous gallantry in the field during the last native war. Wc have already given particulars in connection with the services for which the medal was given, and need not there*fore recapitulate. Had the parade been confined to the A.C.’s in Carlyle, it would have been a very poor show indeed, but the Wairoa Light Horse, under Captain Walkington, mustered in force, and came up to do honor to the hero of the day.^ Proceedings commenced by Major Turner, Officer Commanding the District, calling Dr. Walker to the front, and then read hi" - the letter received from the Defence Minister, in reference to the presentation. The instructions contained were i that the notice in the Gazette, recording the nets for which the honor was gi v en, should he read, as also the letter itself, and that ns much eclaianA ceremony as possible should be given on the occasion of the presentation. As far as was possible this was clone, but the means of doing so were very limited. . A large number of persons, including a good many ladies, were present, the weather, fortunately, being all that could be desired. After the preliminaries had been complied with, Major Turner, addressing Dr. Walker, spoke as follows Dr Walker : Xt is my pleasing duty on behalf of the Government to. present you this day with this cross, conferred for gallantry and valour in the field, as medical officer of the constabulary during the native war in 1868-9. Tins is no ordinary decoration, for though every one who took part in the war, in any capacity, is entitled to the New Zealand Medal, there are but few who have distinguished themselves by conspicuous bravery sufficient to gain the decoration of the New Zealand Cross, I feel greater pleasure in handing it you, knowing, as I do, that it is fully deserved, and in saying this I only express the feeling of all who served with yon at the time when it was won. You have not obtained it by any undue influence, but have honorably and gallantly earned it. lam happy to say that it is not likely that you will again be required to discharge medical duties in the field, for the Government are now trying to convert our swords into ploughshares pruning and hooks, with every chance of success. The rebels were overcome and tl 6 last ouf break suppressed by the gallantry of the Colonial forces, to which you were attached, and it is pleasing to the Government to have the opportunity of rewarding gallant deeds by such an honourable distinction as the Cross that I now hold. Xt is one that you have reason to be proud of, and one that you will I am sure value. That yon may long live to wear it is my earnest hope, and the hope of all who know you. . . Major Turner then advanced to Dr Walker and pinned the Cross on his breast, after which he called for three cbceis for the latter. These were given most heartily, the Light Horse, the Armed Constabulary, and the public present joining in. in a manner that showed the high estimation m which he was held. This concluded the ceremony of presentation, but the Wairoa corps were put through the sword exercise and several cavalry evolutions. An invitation to celebrate the occasion in champagne was accepted by them, and at the Australasian hotel, the health of the decore was enthusiastically drunlcj mid thus a most gratifying ceremony was auspiciously brought to a conclusion.