MAORI WAR MEMORIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1922, Page 9

MAORI WAR MEMORIES.

r. links with the past, VETERANS AT OLD-TIME REMINISCENCES. (Auckland Herald Correspondent.) It is a long call to the last Maori Wars, but there are still eight old pensioners ending their days happily in the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, who saw service in New Zealand during the sixties of last century. It is perhaps only natural that the episodes of 60 years ago are (fresh in the minds of most of them, for such is the process of mcmory that old age retains a vivid recollection of early years while the happenings of a later date are apt to fade. Through the courtesy of the Adjutant of the Royal Hospital at Chelsea I have been permitted to visit these veterans, who are all proud of their New Zealand medals and quite pleased to talk of the old days in New Zealand. Incidentally, it was interesting to see how the State cares for her old soldiers. It will be remembered that the Chelsea Royal Hospital was founded by Charles Il in 1682, and built by Wren, and they did things well in those days. The extensive grounds slope down toward the Thames, and from the former park land was obtained all the oak that went to the building of the structure. AM the woodwork in the long wards, in the infirmary, and that of which the great staircases are constructed is of oak. The individual compartments in the long wards are built of oak and even the large chest assigned to the occupant of each compartment is of oak. The old men spend a care-free life, are fed well, and have ample freedom. If they wish to, they may work and so earn wages, but most of them are content to pass their time in idleness, subject to a cer- z tain discipline. One New Zealand medalist, who had worked well at his trade until within a 4ew months of 80, and who had chosen to seek the independence of the home rather than be indebted to his daughters’ husbands for • hospitality, was convinced he could not live more comfortably outside for £4 a week. In their heart of hearts they all know this, but armjng so many idle old men. however well-placed, it is inevitable that there should be some grumbling. “They even grumble,” said my informant, “because they are allowed to do the thing they have grumbled for.” This perhaps was an extreme case. They all seemed happy enough, and certainly the eight New Zealand veterans seemed pleased with life. A TARANAKI EPISODE. Such was the comparative tranquility of the world from 1870 to 1900 that none of these men, who began their military careers in the bush and fern of the North Island, ever had another opportunity of facing an enemy in war. Their lives, perhaps, are typical of the discharged regular soldier. Starting late in life in a new trade or a trade they had forgotten their subsequent careers must needs have been a struggle, and some of them expressed regret that they were not able to stay in the colonv and take up the block of land the Government apportioned to Imperial soldiers. None of them had served the necessary seven years in the Army. The most vivid recollection of Pensioner Leahair, of the 50th' (Queen’s Own) Regiment, which went out from Ceylon in 1863. is an episode which took place near Wanganui. They were a picket some 60 strong who were completely surrounded by the natives. The 'position was so serious that the whole party had to charge through the enemy, with the result that less than half came out untouched. Captain Wilson and Captain Grant were included in the 32 casualties. Leahair served in the Waikato as well as in Taranaki, and he recalled the old trouble between the Government and the Imperial officers when he said with a laugh: “We went to guard the women and chiMren in the town while the militia went out to fight.” EVERY INCH A SOLDIER. It was only two months ago that Pensioner J. Donovan, once a battalion ser-geant-major of the Royal Artillery, arrived at Chelsea. He has lived a very 'full life and to-day he carries his STi years as a man 30 years younger. Well groomed, over 6ft. in height, and still physically fit, looking still every inch a soldier, he nevertheless feels that he kas thoroughly earned the rest his country oilers him. In 18v3 he went out to i Auckland in the Sea King, which afterwards became an American privateer. They landed in January, 1864, and were ordered up to Ngaruawahia to join General Cameron’s column. It was here that the artillery were turned into cavalry,* the guns, when wanted, being drawn by bullocks. Donovan went through the Taranaki campaign and took part in the famous march round Mount Egmont. He also took part in the Tauranga engagements at Gate Pa and Te Ranga, his unit operating- with two six-pounder guns. Pensioner J. G. Hallard, of the 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment, arrived in Auckland by an immigrant ship in 1864. JTe and Captain Horner, for whom he acted as servant on the voyage, were the only soldiers on board. Hallard joined his regiment in time for several of the skirmishes in the Tauranga campaign. and was present at the siege of Gate Pa. Even in those days, however, there was evidently need for a battalion band, and he was chosen for duty in the band. He came back to England in 1867 and was. discharged in 1874, having continued as a bandsman for the remainder of his service. MEMORIES OF ORAKAU. The most interesting story came 'from Pensioner H. Blower, a. young man of 80, who has chosen to look after the N.C.O.s’ mess, billiard-room, and library, as he says, he meets in consequence a better class of men, has a good library

at his disposal, and earns a small salary. Ho arrived in Auckland with a draft of the Royal Irish on January 9. 1834, by the 1600-ton vessel, the Chariot, of Fame, which carried SOO reinforcements on board. After some months’ instruction his battalion moved up to the scene of operations. He was with the troops wno ; advanced against Meri Meri, where the only satisfaction (hey had was to see the Mattris escaping in their canoes up the Maramarua. and Wangamarino Creeks at their rear, 'rhe next engagement at Bangiriri, m which Blower took part was, of course, more successful. The Orakau siege, when the Maoris sent, back thejr memorable reply, “Ake, ake, akc,” Blower had cause to remember. He was sounding his bugle when a bullet touched his hand ami sent the bugle flying. “We sapped for three days,” he said, "aiid tUcu the Maoris hot'.Vrd it.”

THE ROYAL IRISH AND THE RUM. Of one engagement he has a story to tell of Colonel Waddy and General Cameron. Exactly which pa was involved is not clear. Colonel Waddy interpolated his statements with a “click, click,” it seems, and he thus addressed the commander-in-chief. “Click, click, if you give me the run of the stores, click, click, and let me have 50 men of the Royal Irish I’ll take that d—d place, in 20 minutes, click, click.” The story goes th*<t the colonel chose from the commissariat a 36-gallon barrel of rum and 50 men of the Royal Irish. The ruin was the lure. The men were over the palisades in a few minutes, nart taken the pa in less than 20 minutes, ami were soon back for the barrel or rum. In a very short time. Blower remarked. the whole besieging party were gloriously drunk. There seems to have been a generous supply of grog- iu those days. “What between an occasional light and plenty to drink,” said Blower, "we had a pretty good time.” Asked if there were no orderly I'ooms in those days, he said: “Oh. if anyone got too obstreperous,-we tied him up withjflax and threw him .into the fern untilhe was sober,”