I.—2b

92

Return of the Names of those Persons on whom the New Zealand Cross has been conferred, the respective Dates, for what Service, and by whom recommended— continued.

Names. Date when conferred. Services. By whom recommended. reece, George 32/9/1876 For personal bravery (when interpreter to the Native Contingent and attached to Major Ropata) on the occasion oi the first attack upon Ngatapa. Mr. Preece's behaviour was so brilliant as to elicit the admiration of Major Ropata, who recommended him for special reward f o the oolone). oommanding on the following day, with the very complimentary remark that with two or three more like him he would have been able to break into the pa, at that time not fully completed For conspicuous gallantry in tbe performance of his duties as assistant-surgeon on many occasions during the campaign of 1868-69, and notably at the successful attaok upon the position and encampment of Titokowaru at Otauto on the 13th March, 1869, where he was exposed to a very heavy fire, and bore himself with great courage For most valuable and efficient services as sergeant of the corps of guides on many occasions, and especially in going out to scout in advance with three men (two of whom were shot on the morning of the 26th February, 1869), by which an intended ambuscade was discovered, and many lives saved ; and for a long reconnaissance, with two m«n of the corps of guides (which lasted two nights and days), in advance to ascertain the direction of Titokowaru's retreat after he had evacuated Taurangaika. This service was a most daring one, and of the utmost importance to the force, as intelligence was thus obtained which in no other way could have been procured For distinguished bravery at Otauto on the 13th March, 1869, while holding the ground close £o the encampment, and enabling a close reconnaissance to be made by Major Kepa and the colonel commanding. Sergeant Shepherd was dangerously wounded on this occasion For gallant and distinguished conduct on the 7th January, 1866, when, at the ccpture of the Putahi Pa, Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell was severely wounded, and Sergeant Austin carried him during a great part of the engagement under a raking fire, and finally off the field, which action was witnessed by General Chute, who then thanked him for his fearless and heroic conduct not only in this instance, but on all occasions during the campaign on the West Coast. Also, on the 17th October, 1866, at the capture of the Village of Keteonetea. Captain William MoDonnell, leading a small advance guard of Maoris, came upon an ambush, and fell severely wounded ; his men leaving him, retired on the main body, who commenced to retreat, when Sergeant Austin, assisted by another" man (since dead), returned to where Captain MoDonnell lay, on the point of being tomahawked by the enemy, and at all risks carried him off under a heavy fire For noble arid daring conduct in assisting and carrying wounded men from the field under fire on several occasions, notably on the 2nd October, 1863, at Poutako, and 11th March, 1S64, at Kaitaki, upon which latter occasion he was particularly mentioned in garrison orders after the engagement. Rodriguez's conduct was repeatedly mentioned by Colonel Warre and other officers in their despatches For good and gallant services as a scout and guide throughout the campaign of 1868-69, continually undertaking hazardous and laborious reconnoitring expeditions almost alone in advance of the force ; and for personal gallantry when attacked, with other guides, in advance of tbe column beyond Ahikereru on the 7th May, 1869, where they uninasked an ambuscade, and Adamson, with others, was severely wounded, ano the guide Hemi killed In October, 1863, Sub-Inspector McDonnell, Colonial Defence Force, volunteered to accompany the late Major Von Tempsky to reconnoitre the enemy'3 position arid works at Paparatu, fourteen miles.distant from Genera! Cameron's advanced post at Whangamarino, which was surrounded by rebel Native outlying parties and scouts. The only track known was in the hands of the enemy, and constantly used by them in moving from their stronghold at Meremeie to Paparatu This undertaking was successfully carried out by Major Von Tempsky and Sub-Inspector McDonnell, who ran extreme danger from scouting parties of the Natives, and had to conceal themselves in a swamp close to Papsvratu during part oi the night and the whole of the next day. During the campaign of 1866 on the west coast of the North Island Major McDonnell was serving with the Imperial troops in command of a Native corps, and distinguished himself by frequent acts of bravery, more especially at the capture of the Putahi Pa, when, though severely wounded in the foot, he insisted on leading his men till the close of the engagement. The late General Chute has on more than one occasion pressed the claims of Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell upon the Colonial Government for the distinction of the New Zealand Cross Colonel Whitmore. Valker, Samuel Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. 12/9/1876 laling, Chrietopher Colonel Whitmore. 12/9/1876 Colonel Whitmore. Shepherd, Richard .. 12/9/1876 Austin, Samuel 12/9/1876 Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Lieut.-Colonel lloulo. Rodriguez, Antonio 12/9/1876 Adamson, Tbomas .. \ 12/9/1876 Colonel Whitmore. i McDonnell, Thomas JYfajor Walmsley and ITajor-Gerie-ral Chute. 5/7/1887