A Link With the Past

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 10, 18 September 1931, Page 5

A Link With the Past

Mayor of Akaroa to Speak from 3YA

ME. GEORGE ARMSTRONG, hale and hearty at 78,. and still the vigorous Mayor of Akaroa, over which borough he has presided for 28 vears, is a link with early New

Zealand history. Born in

Akaroa, he has been in-

timately associated with

one of the most his-

torie and prettiest spots in the South Island. Back to the old whaling days goes the name of Armstrong, for it was on a whaler that | the father of Mr. | Geo. Armstrong — first sailed New Zealand waters. He secured his discharge and settled in this colony, dying an _ octogenarian in Akaroa. *" Mr, Armstrong’s father, when in command of a ship employed in carrying food to

Wanganui for soldiers engaged in the Maori War, took part in an incident which is now almost legendary. Wanganui people point to a very high cliff which in those days would have risen sheer from the river, and they tell how a Scotsman, "Jock" McGregor, when chased by Maoris, jumped from the cliff into the river. This story is not literally correct, according to Mr. George Armstrong, whose father had his own share of the excitement of the occasion. Captain Armstrong’s ship, "The Catherine Johnstone," was lying in the

river nearly opposite the cliff when he saw a man running for his life, pursued by angry Maoris. He ran and leaped down the face of the cliff until he got into a position where the

Maoris could not shoot him.

Captain Armstrong called

to the sailors: "Are

you game to go over

and get that man?"

They all said "Yes," and a boat’s crew was soon making for the other side of the river. They rescued, McGregor and pulled back again to the ship. Martial law prevailed in Wanganui in those days, and the military authorities took a serious view of Captain Armstrong's action in going across the river against orders. He was arrested and court-mar-

tialled, but was acquitted. "Jock" McGregor was 2 wellknown character in Wanganui. He had an eye for good land and had no fear of the Maoris, who, on the contrary had a great respect for the Highiand claymore with which McGregor ostentatiously exercised and which he would use to clear the streets quickly. Mr. George Armstrong will speak from 3YA on Wednesday, September 23, his theme being "AkaroaYesterday and To-day."