Sketcher. Brigadier-General Henry Ronald Maclver, THE HERO OF "UNDER FOURTEEN FLAGS."

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1935, 29 November 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Sketcher. Brigadier-General Henry Ronald Maclver, THE HERO OF " UNDER FOURTEEN FLAGS."

Towards the latter part of '83, the Government of Queensland planted the flag that has " braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze " on the shores of the vast and fertile island of New Guinea. When the news reached England it created a profound sensation. Not only did it surprise those living in the old country who were directly interested in the progress of the colonies, but it had the effect of attracting the attention o£ the general public to the advantages likely to arise through the incorporation into the empire of a country rich in agricultural and mineral wealth, as an outlet for the over-populated parts of Europe. The Earl of Derby, Secretary for the Colonies, refused, however, to sanction the annexation of New Guinea, and, in so doing, acted contrary to the sincere wish of every right-thinking Anglo-Saxon under the Southern Cross. While the subsequent correspondence between the Home and Queensland Governments was going on, Brigadier-General Henry Ronald Maclver originated and organised the New Guinea Exploration and Colonisation Company in London, with a view of establishing settlements on the island. Tbe company, presided over by General Beresford, of the British Army, and having an eminently representative and influential board of directors, had a capital of £250,000, and placed the supreme command of the expedition in the hands of General Maclver. Over six hundred picked men, including some of the best blood in Great Britain and Ireland, were enrolled by the commander, a steamship was purchased, and everything made ready for departure, when Lord Derby, annoyed at having his hand forced in a direction contrary to his own wishes, and in harmony with those of the people of Australasia, put his veto on the entire scheme. Notwithstanding the character of the gentlemen composing the board of directors, and the truly peaceable nature of the expedition, his Lordship informed General Maclver that, in the event of the latter's attempting to land on New Guinea, instructions would be sent to the officer in command of Her Majesty's fleet in the Western Pacific to fire upon the company's vessel. This meant that the expedition would be dealt with as a filibustering one. The result of this unjustifiable interference on the part of a vacillating Imperial Minister had the effect of causing the company to break up, and General Maclver's scheme, which had promised so well, fell through, though it is believed that the gallant soldier has some idea of being able to ultimately realise his dream, and of thereby doing the incalculable service to Australia of materially aiding the final annexation of the as yet almost unknown land. " There is nothing about him," says a contemporary, " either of the flashy adventurer, or the blushing braggart, and as little of the lover of carnage for carnage sake— -a quiet gentlemanly gentleman, somewhat foreign in his mannerisms. He is of fine physique, well proportioned, has a well knit figure, regular and handsome features and military address. He stands over six feet in height, erect in bearing, weather-bronzed face, clean shaven, save for military moustache and imperial ; brown, grey tinged hair, close cropped to the well set head ; keen grey eyes, with quiet resolution stamped on every feature. Such is the appearance of BrigadierGeneral Maclver." But who is General Maclver ? One of the most remarkable men of his time. A Eosshire Highlander in his origin, though in his system there is a strain of the proud Lowland blood of the great Douglas family. He is a true soldier of fortune, having served under fourteen flags " in defence of. the weak against the strong-" A great lover of liberty he has ever been willing to risk His life in the cause of justice and right. He has fought and bled on many fields in many lands. Twice wounded, almost fatally in one instance at Jansi (Indian Mutiny), shot through the mouth, and in the wrist and leg, in the Confederate service during the great American war ; nearly thrown overboard when suffering from yellow fever while carrying dispatches from Havannah to Matamoras; taken prisoner by the Texan Indians and sentenced to be tortured and burnt and wounded in the face by a bayonet thrust in Mexico. These being but a few of his hairbreadth escapes, he, as a soldier since his boyhood, presents the pic- j ture of one who has indeed carried his life in his hand, and on whom it is marvellous to look as one " who has suffered so much and yet shows bo little." The general has served under the British(lndian Mutiny) Jtalian(Garibaldi), America (Confederate), Imperial, Mexican, Brazilian, Argentine, Creton, Cuban, French, Egyptian, iSpanish, Herzegovinian, Servian and Greek flags. He has been repeatedly decorated for valor on the battle.field, and when in full uniform his breast may be described as a mass of decorations. In manner he is gentle and genial ; but as is ever the case with true warriors he has always kept a soft corner in his heart, especially for little children, of whom he is inordinately fond. An incident recently happened which will serve to illustrate his fondness of children : —The hero of many fights, the fierce son of Mars, was seen not many days since busily engaged turning the skipping rope for a bevy of little school girls who were at play nearly opposite his hotel, greatly to the gratification of the youngsters at having this tall, stalwart, storm-beaten veteran mingling in their childish diversion as much apparently to his delight as to theirs. General Maclver, though he has experienced so extraordinary a career of war and adventures, is in the prime of life and health. He is well set, as a soldier should be, and shows but little trace of the almost innumerablehardships he has undergone. He is at present in the colonies, and the public will have every opportunity of seeing him on the platform, as he proposes to lecture oa his" stirring life throughout eaoh colony. . * '{„ . It may be mentioned that not only is General Maolver^a, warrior, btit'alflo a novelist^ and that he, has written Iftipowerfur story, entitled;, < / ( Jflteigu&,7.-.w^iioK; |r y.will^ be commenced=in our col^unms-next and-