MAORI WAR VETERAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 2, 3 January 1929, Page 8

MAORI WAR VETERAN.

MR. JOHN GILLANDER. SERVICE WITH VON TEMPSKY CELEBRATES 81ST BIRTHDAY. Mr. John Gillander, an old resident of Auckland, was 81 years of age today. Born of Scottish parentage, at Nova Scotia, in 1848, he arrived in Auckland in 1856. During his apprenticeship with Mr. Strange, stonemason, at Parnell, he joined the "Pitt's Four Hundred," a body of militia raised for service in the Waikato. Captain Stack's company, to which he belonged, and a detachment of the Eighteenth Regiment, were stationed at Ring's Redoubt, engaged in patrolling the country between Otahuhu and Drury, until their removal to Whangamarino Redoubt, in the vicinity of Meremere, during the operations of General Cameron, which culminated .in the memorable fight at Rangiriri.

On his discharge from Pitt's militia, Mr. (inlander joined Von Tempsky's "Forest Rangers" who formed part of the force under General Sir Trevor Chute in his famous march around Sit. Kgmont through heavy and tractless bush. Several actions were fought, the most important being at Otapawa, where Colonel Hassard, of the 57th Regiment, was amongst the killed. The troops returned to Wanganui, whilst the Forest Rangers were transferred to the Waikatc as military settlers at Harapipi, on land grants of 50 acres and one town lot per man.

Mr. Gillander sold his lot, and hostilities having again broken out in Taranaki under the rebel chief Titokowaree, he reenlisted at Wellington in No. 5 Divisional Armed Constabulary, under his old leader Von Tempsky. He proceeded to Waihi, a redoubt in the Taranaki district, and was soon involved in the heavy fighting that ensued; firstly, at the relief of the sorely pressed little garrison of Turituri Mokai, and subsequently in the second attack on the bush stronghold of Te Ngutu o te Manu (The beak of the bird), in which disastrous fight the gallant Von Tempsky was killed with many others. In the retreat which followed, Mr. Gillander was one of the rearguard desperately fighting to cover the withdrawal of the

wounded through dense forest, harassed by yelling hauhaus. The survivors eventually readied Waihi redoubt.

Mr. (iillander shortly afterwards retired from military life and settled in Auckland.