OBITUARY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9894, 8 November 1899, Page 2

OBITUARY.

lieutenant-colonel thomas McDonnell, n.z.c.

Another of the fast diminishing band of vetorans who, in the earlier days of tho history of New Zealand, did right j good service in defending the heurths and homes of tho pioneers of settlement in the North Island against the Maori outbreaks, has passed away. Among these who fought and bled for New Zealand nono did so more courageously than tho late Lieutonant-Colonel McDonnell, who passed away this morning at tho age of 67 years, after a long illness borne out with characteristic patience- and courage. Tho deceased was tho eldest son of Captain McDonnell, R.X., who arrived in New Zealand in 1840 with his family. In lEQ'i tho former received his first com-u-iittion ns Sub-Inspector of the New Zealand Defence Force. Ho subsequently served in tho flying column at Drury, tho Queen's Redoubt, and other native sticngliolds, after which ho volunteered with Von Tempsky to moko a reeohuoissanco at Paparata, which was successfully accomplished after a narrow escape fiom tho onciny. For this service McDonnell was thanked in general orders, both by General Cameron and Colojiel Nixon. Ho accompanied the Thames expedition under Brigadier Gcnernl Carey and was present at the taking of Rangiohia, where Colonel Nixon fell mortally wounded, and also took part in the action fought on the following day. He was promoted to tho rank of captain in 1864, and shortly afterwards appointed Resident Magistrate for tho tipper Waikato. He was, howover, shortly afterwards sent to the East Coast ns second in command of the friendly Arawns, where he took part in soveral skirmishes, in one of which lie received a slight wound, on recovering from which ho was promoted to tho rank of brevet-major and tho command of tho native contingent at Wanganui, with which force ho served with considerable success at Woreroa and Pipiriki. He next went to Opotiki, under Major Biassoy, where ho defeated the Hauliaus, inflicting a loss of thirty killed. After further successful sorvice on the East Coast, McDonnell returned to Wanganui with tho nativo contingent, which served as advance guard to Brigadier-General Chute throughout that officer's campaign on this coast. During this period the deceased saw plenty of fighting, and wafe again wounded. In April, 1867, he was made colonel, and was present at the taking of Ketemarae. While protecting th a survey parties in the Patea district, McDonnell defeated the Hauliaus at sevoval places, inflicting severe loss on the Maoris in the face of groat difficulties and dangers. Ho was soon afterwards despatched again to tho East Coast, whore ho succeeded in inflicting a heavy blow on tho rebels near Rotor^a. From tho East Coast he was suddenly despatched to Hokitika, whero a slight dis(urbanco took place over tho Manchester Fenian riots. Not being required to quell any rising of disaffected colonists there, the deceased returned to this coast, and was appointed Inspector of Armed I Constabulary in July, 1668, soon after which ho mado his first successful attack on Ngutu-o-te-Manu. A few weeks afterwards ho rcido a second attack on the samo stronghold, which was not only unsuccessful, but disastrous, as his force was overpowered by the rebels, and had a loss of 50 killed and wounded, including five officers, one of tho latter being the gallant Von Tempsky. After this, tho first and only reverse McDonnell met with, he was again sent to the East Coast, where ho took port in the expedition against To Kooti in the Uriwerti and Taupo country, defeating the rebel chief at Tokaanu and Porero, where he stormed the pa, and killed 40 of Te Kooti's best men. He pursued Te Kooti, who had managed to escape capture, to Patetere and To Papa, whore ho again proved victorious, though unable to arrest tho rebel chief, who, deprived of his followers, took refugo in the fastnesses of tho Uriwera Country until the war was closed. The latei Colonel McDonnell was under firo on no less than forty occasions, and was wounded on four of these. In reconnoitering, his services wero many and courageous to a degreo, as ho more than onco held conferences with tho rebels in their own strongholds, exposed to the danger of treachery and fanaticism, for which acts of bravery and great valuo he was frequently thanked in general orders by Sir Duncan Cameron and Sir Trevor Chute, as also by tho colonial officers under whom he served. For theae acts he received the New Zealand Cross, and was the recipient of a most flattering letter of congratulation from General Cameron, who had returned to tho Mother Country. In his letter General Cameron said, among other complimentary things, "You and that gallant officer, Captain Von Tempsky, gave, proof of that cool, deliberate kind of courage which is so much more rare than the b,ravery displayed in the heat and excitement of an action, and for which such rewards as tho Silvor Cross arc- most frequently bestowed." After the close of the last Maroi war tho deceased found occasional employment under Government in the service of tho Native Lands Department, but for some inscrutable reason, was denied a permanent position in the public service of a country he fought and bled for. This is too often tho fate of men like Colonel McDonnell, whose services in the field aro too soon forgotten, and themselves left in their declining days very poorly off. Colonel McDonnell was twice married, and leaves a widow and two daughters, with whom there will be widespread sympathy in their bereavement.

It has not yet beeu decided whether Colonel McDonnell will bo accorded a military funeral or not, as the family do not intend to approach tho Government on the matter. We understand that the Premier has boen communicated with by several leading residents and the Veterans' Association, expressing the general desiro that the remains of Colonel McDonnell should be interred with military honours, in recognition of the deceased's many services and great personal bravery in action. Wo ha,vo not, up to the hour of going to press, learned the result of these telegrams, but feel confident tho Government will respect tho wishes of tho Wanganui people, and arrange for Colonel McDonnell receiving a befitting military funeral.