INDIAN MUTINY VETERAN.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 134, 27 May 1926, Page 5

INDIAN MUTINY VETERAN.

RESIDENT OF MATAMATA. Mr. Patrick Delaney. To have served in the Indian Mutiny and the Maori War, and be still alive, is the lot of few men, but such an one is Mr. Patrick Delaney, of Matamata, now in his 98th year. Even at this age, Mr. Delaney, who is living with a son and daughter-in-law (mr. and Mrs. Wm. Delaney), has a remarkable memory for the outstanding incidents of his career, though of a cov.se the details are somewhat blurW red by this time. Physically, as anight, ■ be expected, he’.has his infirmities, but is able to walk about without assistance, and notwithstanding his great -age .at>e can not mistake the old soldier on his bearing. Mr. Delaney was hem at Athenry, County Galway (Ireland), in March 1828. He enlisted in the 70th Foot Regiment in 1852, and j in 1853 embarked from Gravesend for ! Ipdia, where he saw considerable service in the Indian Mutiny, and in | -other engagements subsequently, in- \ eluding the fighting* against the Afghans, under Colonel Galloway. He .•was for some time stationed at Pesh- ! awar, nine miles from the historical * Kyber Pass in the Himalayas. He 1 still retains his old military pay book, and among the places noted therein is I Allahabad, a place of interest to the 1 student of history. Incidentally, the journey from England to India took 120 days, and from India to New Zealand 80 days, the latter voyage being made in the “ Daniel Rankin.” He landed in Auckland on May 13, 1861, and joined the 4th Waikato Militia, and service in Taranaki in the Maori War. Later 'he transferred to the Ist Waikato at Tauranga. to* Although he held the rank of sergeant Major in the 4th Waikatos, he paid £ls for transfer to the Ist Waikatos. on the substitute plan, in order to secure a more permanent and betterp: id regiment. He distinctly remembers crossing the Wairoa river in the course of the campaign against the rojlives, Colonel Harring-ton being in command. Ee was discharged in 1864, but; still retains his affection for Army smd kindly recollections of the men j ***■ (Continued in Next Column.) 1

who -served with him. “ Many a man I saved from being court-martialled,” he said*. “ They would be getting drunk or up to some mischief, and I would tell the officer they were sober, and smooth over the Offence.” Mr. Delaney was married at One-

On the motion of Messrs. Scott and Spear, it was decided to support the effort. POST OFFICE. Mr. Simpson asked if anything could be done to secure better attention at the post office counter. He had spent 25 minutes lately waiting to send a telegram. The chairman thought the difficulty was largely owing to lack of accommodation. The attention at times was certainly shocking through pressure of work. Mr. Neal mentioned the delay in getting Auckland on the phone. Even an urgent call took 20 to 25 minutes. Mr. Spear: When you get Auckland it is useless. On six occasions last week I have called Auckland, and on no occasion could I understand the message. It was decided that the chairman interview the postmaster on the subject mentioned.