RECOVERY OF VON TEMPSKY'S REMAINS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 457, 26 January 1869, Page 2

RECOVERY OF VON TEMPSKY'S REMAINS.

About a fortnight ago Colonel McDonnell visited the two Hau-hau prisoners brought in some time ago from Woodall's redoubt, and now incarcerated in the Wanganui gaol. It appears that one anxious object or his inquiry was as to what had become of the mortal remains of his old friend Major Von Tempsky. Tbe men interrogated were as communicative upon the subject as could possibly be desired. They said that the bodies of the other men killed at the last attack upon Te-Ngutu-o-te-Manu were partly eaten and the remains burnt, or partly so in one heap. That of Major Von Tempsky was partly burnt a short distance from the rest, at a spot indicated by those men and well-known to Colonel M'Donnell. Having received this and other information on the subject he determined to embrase tho first opportunity to make a raid upon

Te-Ngutu-o-te-Manu, destroy everything he could Jay hands upon, and bring away what remained of the mortal remains of his old friend Von Tempsky. Last week he started from here for Patea with his brother Edward M'Donnell, the Chiefs Kemp, Wirihana, and Hori Grey, and 80 or 90 natives forming what we now call the Maori Cavalry. On Friday last they proceeded to Waihi, and thence on foot started for Te-Ngutu-o-te-Manu keeping the best track until they got within a mile of the place, then entered a dense scrub and stealthily approached the strongly fortified position which to their surprise they found quite deserted. Colonel McDonnell went direct to the spot indicated by his informants, and found exactly as they had stated, the remains of the men in one heap and those of the once brave Von Tempsky alone at a short distance from the others. Having carefully secured the object of his search, Colonel M'Donnell and his men commenced the work of destruction. The whares and buildings of e\erj description were burnt down, and such cultivations as were found in the neighborhood of the place destroyed. Thence the party proceeded to the other villages, which they burnt, and destroyed the growing crops. From the neighborhood of Te-Ngutu-o-te-Manu they brought away sixteen horses and some trifling articles from the place itself. On Tuesday last the party returned to Patea with what remained of the mortal remains of Von Tempsky. Kemp, anxious to be present at the marriage of his daughter, which took place yesterday, started at once with his men for Wanganui, where they arrived at 7 p.m. the same day. Col. M'Donnell remained at Patea and will, most likely, have poor Von Tempsky's remains deposited in a coffin and brought down here by steamer. The remains of the other men were buried on the spot.