A MAORI WAR VETERAN.

THE LATE MAJOR TARRIS. Wβ are indebted to the Wellington "Post" for the following biography of the late Major Parris:— ... Major Robert Parris, whose' death at New Plymouth vra» recorded in yesterday's issue, was born at Chard, Somerset, and came of an old West of England Roundhead family. Hβ arrived Iα New Plymouth with his wife and family Iα the barque Blenheim in 1842., His name is intimately connected with the early progress of Taranaki. On the Conatitntjon AcV coming into force in the early forties, Mr Parr was elected to the Provincial Council; in 1857 he entered the Government service as Land Purohase. Commissioner, ; being appointed Assistant Native Minuter two yearn'later;• holding the .position till 1865, when; he was made Civu Comissioner of the district. Not the least valuable of his; semcee; to the colony were those rendered during,the Maori war, and Wβ adventures during that troublesome period form a, tnoet .exciting theme; oh several occasions he nafrowly. missed being murdered by Ithe' native*. During the whole of the war the deceased gentleman was attached ..to troops, having command of : native; levies' with the rank of major'in the New; Zealand Militia. ■> He eerved with great distinction, and hie name often appeared in the. despatches. His familiarity; with, the 'Maori tongae'conduced in no email degree to the success of the British arms, a; fact which Sir H. J. Warre was'not slow to acknowledge, for in a letter to the Major -he thanked him for the great services he had rendered as interpreter, and the valuable information he gave by which the natives were driven from Jhe Whitecliffs to Stony River, and for his skilful dealing with the natives. The peace which ensued was.largely owing to Major Parris's diplomatio mansgeinent of the hostile tribes; while In the disturbances of 1868-9 his j influence with the Opunake natives restrained them from joining the rebels from the southern portions of the district. In 1868 he was gasetted a Justice: of the Peace by Sir George Groy.- On tirement in services wer» acknowledgod the cotony. Wh«n the West Coast Native Commission was set up, Major Parris was appointed to act with Sir William Fox; and : Sir Francis Dillon Bell, and on the final report being handed to the Governor his assistance wan eulogistically; referred to by' Sir William Fox. For many yearn. Major Parris lived in retirement, enjoying the Tepose /his long and active service justly entitled him ■, to, though of late his health had been failing.