DEATH OF CAPTAIN PREECE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 164, 14 July 1925, Page 8

DEATH OF CAPTAIN PREECE.

VETERAN OF MAORI "WAR. CHASER OF TE KOOTI. An officer whose name loomed big for his dashing exploits during the chase of Te Kooti after the Poverty Bay massacre, died on Saturday at Palmer6ton North, at the advanced age of 80 years. This was Captain George Augustus Preece, N.Z.C. A splendid Maori linguist, Mr. Preece was useful during the war, first aa an interpreter to the Colonial Forces, and later as a fine officer, of brilliant initiative and great courage. The bravery of Captain Preece was so conspicuous at the first attack on Ngatapa Pa that Major Eopata recommended him for special reward, stating that with two or three more like him, he would have been able, to break into the pa, which at that time was not fully completed.

When Te Kooti escaped with other Maori prisoners from the Chatham Islands in the schooner Rifleman, Mr. Preece was clerk of the Court at Wairoa, Hawke's Bay district. Instructions were sent to Mr. S. Dighton, R.M., to raise a force and intercept Te Kooti, and it was Mr. Preece who influenced the chief at Wairoa to furnish three casks of ammunition.

Mr. Preece entered the Government service as clerk and interpreter to the resiment magistrate at Wairoa in December, 1864. He was attached to the Colonial Forces as extra interpreter, and served in. the field under Colonel Fraser in the campaign on the East Coast, 1865-60. After that trouble was ended Mr. Preece returned to his duties in the civil service. In July, 18C8, Te Kooti made his escape, and as this resulted in war, Mr. Preece was attached to the Colonial Forces with the rank of Ensign.

He saw a lot of active and arduous service under Captains Richardson and Tuke, Major Westrupp, and Colonel Lambert. After the massacre of settlers at Poverty Bay Mr. Preece was made a lieutenant in command of the Wairoa Native Contingent. He accompanied the famous chief Major Ropata and his contingent of the Ngatiporou tribe to Poverty Bay for the purpose of following up Te Kooti. Lieut. Preece was present at the Maketu fight, and also at the first attack on Ngatapa. He received the special thanks of the Government for hie services on that occasion, and was subsequently awarded the New Zealand Cross. Lieut. Preece *next served under Major-General Sir George Whitmore through the campaigns on the East Coast, and also on the West Coast in 1808-09, being several times favourably mentioned in dispatches. Later he eerved under Colonel Herrick and Colonel McDonnell in the Taupo and Tapapa. This time ho was mentioned in dispatches on three occasions. In February, 1870, he was promoted to the command of the Native Contingent with the rank of captain, and took part in a number of expeditions against Te Kooti, being in several engagements from 1870 to 1872. Captain Preece underwent great haidships during the expedition in the Uie- - ---wera Country. When Tβ Kooti and a few followers found sanctuary in the King Country Captain Preece was transferred to tho Armed Constabulary as Sub-Inspector. In May, 1870, Captain Preece returned once more to the Civil Service, and was appointed to the Resident Magistrate's Court at Opotiki, Wairoa, Napier, and Christchurch. Sinco 1892 Captain Preece had resided at Palmerston North. He is survived by two sons and two daughters.