BACK IN 1834.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 191, 10 February 1912, Page 6

BACK IN 1834.

■— .♦ THE FIRST TROOPS IN NEW ZEALAND. The first troops in New Zealand (re-1 lates Captain Eyre Kenny, of New Plymouth, in the New Zealand Military' Journal) were a company of the 50th Foot, commanded by a Captain Johnson, a Peninsula veteran. In 1834 a whaler called the Harriet was driven ashore and wrecked near Cape Egmont. The captain, John_-Gerard, had his wife and two children with him. Every one was landed safely, with tents, provisions, ani ten muskets and ammunition. About two hundred natives, armed with guns, tomahawks, etc., came down and plundered the ship. Gerard and his men entrenched their little camp, and, when they were attacked, made a gallant defence for some hours, killing and wounding some thirty or forty natives, and losing eleven men killed and wounded themselves. Ultimately the natives stormed the camp, killing the wounded, and making Captain and Mrs. Gerard and the remainder of the crew prisoners.

After some days Captain Gerard was allowed to leave in a boat with some of his crew, upon his promising to bring back a cask of powder and some guns. He succeeded in making his way to Sydney, where appealed to Sir R. Boiirke. the Governor, who sent H.M.S. Alligator, Captain Lambert, R.N., and a company of the 50th iFoot to rescue Mrs. Gerard and her children and the seamen. Captain Lambert landed with a smallarm party, the company of the 50th and the marines, and, after fighting several actions, capturing three pas, and burning two villages, all the prisoners were ultimately rescued and embarked on board the Alligator. Captain Lambert certainly deserved the greatest credit, and the narrative of his operations is interesting reading.