THE DEFENDERS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 157, 6 July 1887, Page 8

THE DEFENDERS OF NEW ZEALAND.

A correspondent writes as follows :—" A short time ago a sneering scribbler in an obscure Otago paper tried to hurl ridicule at our 'brave defonders,' thoVolunteers , Though I cannot, say I quite agree with, or much lesa admire, tho vagaries which some of them are guilty of from time to time, I believe they are fellows of mettle as a body. The Volunteers . have proved this over and over again in our Maori wars. This they did at Waireka, in the Taranaki campaign, and at the battle of the Ball Hills at Mauku Here is an additional instance, and o?e which has never before been published. The Hon. Dr. Grace, M.L.C., appears.as a chief actor in it. During the "Wa'iroa (Napier) campaign tho Volunteers bore a, foremost part in the attack on the Maoris there in arms against us. The Hon."Dr. Grace, who formerly belonged to H.ft'- 14th Regiment as Assistant-Surgeon, jqfted the attacking force, having been appointed by the Government as Medical OfiXier to,'the Volunteer detachment engaged. In the thick of the fight which tool place there he saw a native chief — a Hauhau — about to cut down Trooper Douglas, of the Defence Force. The laser's horse, having been shot, fell upon his rider, and pinned him to the earth. Dr. Grace left his medical chest, seized.** revolver, rushed up. under the long-handted axe, with, which the Hauhau was aboutjto cleave Douglas's skull in twain, and shot'the former dead,.sayings as he did 'so, '.Say your prayers quickly; jour ghost's offto Te Reinga !'— i.e., spirit land. The Volunteers acted with singular bravery on that day, none was more brave than the gallant doctor, who still lives to cure the Wellington sick arid charm the Legislative Council with his eloquence." . .'. .•■■■ "• /.

New Plymouth, this day.