A STORIED REVOLVER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 37, 7 August 1911, Page 3

A STORIED REVOLVER

i RELIC OF THE MAORI WAR. Reference was made at Saturday's meeting of veteran soldiers that too many relics of the Maori war. were n> i tlowed to leave this district, Calais Mace, N.Z.0., specially referring to* th« fact that Antonio Rodrigue's New Zealand Cross had been sold out of New Zealand altogether. The remarks were prompted by an announcement by Mr. G. A. Adlam that Mr; John Mynott had managed to secure a pistol belonging to "Jimmy," the Maori guide of the 43rd Regiment, and was prepared to sell it j to the association for £5. j

| Merribers were not over-enthusiastic, : appearing to doubt the genuineness of [the pistol, and a motion was proposed Ito refer the matter to the committee. But presently Mr. Mynott brought alongi the revolver itself, and it was taken from its case in splendid order. Captain Mace had said that he was prepared! to put half-a-sovereign. towards the purchase if. the pistol-;were found to be genuine, and he made good when Colonel Ellis read out the following inscription which was engraved on the revolver: "Presented to Herni Te Waka by officers of the 43rd Light Infantry for gallant conduct on all occasions when acting as guide to the regiment in Taranaki. December, 1865." It was promptly decided to purchase the relic, about £2 10s being forthcoming from members, and to hand it to the Taranaki museum authorities in trust for the association.

Several of those present remembered "Jimmy" quite well. He was, they saiid, a fine bigi Maori,' who came over to Taranaki from Port Roberts, Taurangui, with the regiment. He.wns "witli Captain Corbett's company.'' Ileimi te Waka was wounded at Warea when Captain Close was shot, and after completing his service in Taranaki he went to Hawke's Bay, where he was killed. . One of the veterans remarked that he owed his life to this guide, A horse was straying near the edge of the I>ush for a couple of days, and he was very amxious to go out and get it. In fact, he wasi going, but "Jimmy" warned him not to, as the horse was only a bait, and the Maoris were waiting in ambush to shoot whoever approached it. I It was .subsequently found that his warning was quite justified.'