TURUTURU MOKAU.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1920, Page 5

TURUTURU MOKAU.

To the Editor. Sir, —Tlie account of the attack on this redoubt, from the late Mr, Cosalett Johnston's narrative, which appeared in your Saturday's issue, is very interesting. At the end of the article you remark that it was said every one of the defenders deserved the Victoria Cross. Near the thirtieth anniversary of the attack the writer went down and photographed the late Mr. Milmoe (one of the defenders) on the site of the redoubt, and he told me that Colonel Haultain came up and thanked the defenders for their gallant action on that memorable .Tuly morning of 1868. In connection with the above, Major von Tempsky, in his despatch from Waihi at 11 a.m. on July 12, 1868, recommended for special consideration Messrs Milmoe, Johnston and McLean to Colonel MacDonnell, and the Colonel, in his report on the lotty recommended to the Hon. .Colonel Haultain Vols. Lawrence Milmoe and Cosslett Johnston; No. 2 Div., A. C. Henry McLean, Michael Gill, Wm. O'Brien, and O'Connor (late 57 ! th Regt.), "for their indomitable pluck in holding the outer angle of the redoubt, though taken at a disadvantage and against such fearful odds." The V.C. couldn't be granted because there was no Imperial officer present, and it is generally understood that is why the New Zealand Cross was instituted, and the question naturally arises: Why was that decoration not awarded to those brave men ?

By the death of Mr. Tuffin recently, at Wfiiiganui, the number of defenders is, R9 far as we know, reduced to one, viz., Mr. J. Beamish, of Patea—l am, etc., W. F. GORDON.