OLD SCOUT PASSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 59, 11 March 1933, Page 11

OLD SCOUT PASSES.

LAST HOLDER OF N.Z. CROSS. GALLANTRY IN MAORI WARS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHAKATANE, this day. The death occurred yesterday at the residence of Mrs. Nathan at Whakatane of Mr. Benjamin Biddle, aged 93, the last surviving holder of the New Zealand Cross in the Dominion. He will be accorded a military funeral on Monday. Mr. Biddle was presented with the N.Z. Cross for deeds of valour in the Maori wars. louring a battle ho and a companion volunteered to dig trenches to consolidate the pakeha position under direct fire from the Maori linee. They completed the work unharmed.

In the early days at Opouriao Mr. Biddle undertook contracting work, and eventually drew a section when an estate was thrown open. He acted as guide to the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon when, as Premier, he visited this district, journeying by way of the Urewera and Lake Waikaremoana to Gisborne. As a token of Mr. Seddon's appreciation of Mr. Biddle's services on this trip, which in those days was very hazardous, Mr. Seddon presented him with a gold ring which the Premier was then wearing. As the last living holder of the Cross, a place has been reserved for Mr. Biddle's portrait In the House of Representatives. He is survived by Mrs. Takarua Ruatoki and Mrs. P. Nathan, of Whakatane (daughters), and Messrs. Edward, Jack, Tore, and Robert Biddle (sons), j