PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 87, 8 May 1909, Page 6

PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS

The rebel colors captured at Waireka were, as related in the interview above, presented lo the Governor, Sir Thomas Gore lli'owne, at Auckland. The band of tiie 05lh Regiment met the Niger's boys and played tliem to Government Mouse, where Captain Cracroft made 111presentation. The. ladies, of Taranaki. or 180 of them, presented to Captain Cracroft. the officers and men an address engrossed in vellum us follows: ''The relatives and friends of the militia and volunteers engaged in action on .March 28th, 1800. at the Waireka, beg to tender 'our heartfelt thanks'' to Captain Cracroft, the officers and men of ((..M.S. Niger for their prompt and gallanf attack and capture of the Waireka pa, by which the discomfit lire of the rebels was completed, and the militia and volunteers, with their dead and wounded, relieved from a very perilous position.''

The replv received was as follows: "To the ladies of Taranaki. Captain Cracroft, the officers and ship's company are at a loss adequately to express their feelings on the reception of the address forwarded, by the Airedale. In expressing their they will ever look back with heartfelt gratitude at having been permitted, under Divine Providence, to be the means of saving so inanv of their countrymen from almost 'certain death— H.M.S. Niger, Maiiukau liarlioiir, April 27, 1800."