"MAORI" BROWNE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 24, 22 February 1909, Page 4

"MAORI" BROWNE.

HOW A BRIDE WAS WON. / The namci of Colonel ("Maori") 'Browne has been given prominence through the dfa'eussion which occurred at the Taranaki Fanners' Union meeting oil Thursday last (according to the .llawera Star), and as he was known to a. good "many in this district the following story as told by a, London paper of his love romance, together with a record! of his "derring do," will be read with Interest: — "Once again has the wheel of fortune turned for Colonel 'Maori' Brownie. Three months ago he was found almost starving in a, humble Lotndon lodginghouse. On New Year's Day he led to the altar a lady of wealth and position. His bride is Miss Sarah Wallis WilkcrSon, of the Beeches, Melbourn, Caanliridge. ' "Colonel G. Hamilton Browne "Maori" to his friends—found himsclr (stranded at the age oif sixty-three without a pension, as he had commanded 'otaly colonial troops during the forty years he spent in the Empire's service. "He was reduced to such poverty that lie even offered, to black (boots for a living. For three weeks he lived by the Sale of 'his. imedals, At last all ,was spent. Face to. face with starvation, he was rescued by the Salvation Army. LOVE AM) HEROISM. "The publicity given to the colonel's sad ease caused the final turn of the wheel of fortune. "A letter came from a lady asking if the colonel was the same Hamilton Browne who had' served in Zululand \vith a man whose name she gave. She •wished to know beeiause a man named Hamilton Browne had saved the life of her sweetheart. Colonel Browne recalled the incident, and wrote to her telling ■what he remembered of it. The imau "lie had salved at a critical moment in the Zulu campaign had afterwards died in the Sudan, and the lady had never married. "The correspondence between Colonel ■Browne and the lady led to a meeting, whWh; ripened into an acquaintanceship and then into an engagement. "Colonel Browne, who counts among ■his friends Lord Roberts' a'.ui General 'fSadett-Powell, belongs to an old Irish iamily, and was educated at Cheltenham. "His long military career began in New Zealand in 1866, and was continued in South Africa, where lie won great distinction. He was commended for gallantry at Rorke's Drift, and was an eyewitness of the great disaster as Isandlwana." i A SPLENDID RECORD. ! 'A list of the colonel's services and decorations shows how the soldier of Empire won his way through:— i New Zealand wars. J l BG(i-7T: Medal. 'Acted as commandant of irregular forces in the Ghurka, Galecka, and Zulu wars, 1877-9: Medals and clasps. ■ Basuto and Timlmki wars, 1880-1. Medal and clasp. Commander of squadron Warren's Expedition, 1881. •Dinizulu's rebellion, 1888. Matabele war, .1893: IMedal. Mashoaaland Volunteers, 1801-5: Clasps. Mashoimland rebellion, 1896-7. ■Raised Umtali volunteers and commanded line of cammunriofttion. Commanded' Marandella'g Held Force. 1800-7: Medals and clasps. ' • "Now, after all his adventures he intends to. settle down with his wife, and end his days in peace and happiness."