COLONEL BUNBURY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 8 (Supplement)

COLONEL BUNBURY.

SOLDIER-COLONISER. EMPIRE SERVICES RECALLED, NEW ZEALAND AND INDIA. (By E. 8.)

Probably quite unwittingly, an important name, and one well worth recalling, appears to have escaped noticc in the course of the reccnt celebration of the 94th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, for Major (later Colonel) Thomas Bunbury, C.8., played a not inconspicuous part in the chain of events that led to the occupation of Now Zealand and its proclamation in 1840 as. a colony of the British Empire. Major Bunbury was closely identified with Captain" Nias of H.M.s. Herald, that good ship inevitably linked with the momentous colonising period. This soldier of the 80th Foot, both at that time and later, performed Empire work that might well have entitled him to some place in commemorative esteem alongside the mention of Captain Hobson and others. Indeed, the South Island of New Zealand could choose no better name and memory for historic dedication than that of Bunbury. In a recent number of "United Empire," the journal of the Royal Empire Society (formerly the Royal Colonia.' Institute) Lieut.-Colone! M. B. Cavagc, C.8.E., D.5.0., says that Bunbury's record was surely one entitled to a place in any collection covering men who contributed their mite to the romantic story of this nation. It is known only to a few that he declared the larger part of New Zealand to be British territory and the services he rendered to his country have never received proper recognition.

After starting his career in the 90tli Foot and being transferred to the 3rd Foot (now the Buffs) Bunbury served through the Peninsular War with the Portuguese army, taking part in the capture of Oporto, the battle of Talavera, the defence of Tarifa and the battles of Nivelle, Nive and Toulouse, where he was wounded. Posted as junior major in 1523 to the SOtli Foot, then stationed at Malta, he served with that regiment for 28 years, commanding during the battles of Moodkee, Ferozesliali and Sabraon in India. His soldiering period embraced action in Portugal, Spain, France, Malta, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, New Zealand, and Andaman Islands and India.

Waitangi Treaty Work. In 1837 the 80th received orders to proceed to Chatham for embarkation as convict guards at New South Wales, and the last detachment, on August 5 left Portsmouth for Sydney under Major Bunbury, who, on arrival, was appointed officer in command at Norfolk Island, and also was sworn in as a magistrate. Two years later Sir M. O'Connell appointed him to command the 80th Regiment, under orders to New Zealand, where Bunbury found the Lieut.-Governor, Captain Hobson, in bad health. At the latter's earnest request Bunbury almost immediately left with H.M.s. Herald to continue the acquisition of the sovereignty of "the island of New Zealand" under the Treaty of Waitangi (namely, Stewart's Island, Middle Island—marked in the charts Tavia Poenamoo) and such parts of the Northern Island as were not already cedcd to the Queen.

Major Bunburv's dispatch of June 28, 1840 gave details of his interviews with various Maori chiefs at Zephyr Bay (Stewart Island), Riiabuki (probably Ruapuki), Otako (Otaki), Cloudy Bay, Capiti (Kapiti) Island, Port Nicholson, Hawke's Bay and Akaroa harbour. Previously (Juno 4) the major (with Captain Nias, of H.M.s. Herald) had proclaimed the Queen's authority over Stewart Island, and it is interesting to know that the original draft of that authority was buried in a bottle on a small island near the anchorage—a silent witness capable of being produced in the contingency of international dispute, which then and later, was by no means remote. A duplicate of the document was sent to Captain Hobson. Having ibbtained the signatures of the chiefs at Charlotte's Sound, Major Bunbury and Captain Nias decided that it would be advisable to proclaim the Queen's authority over the Middle Island of New Zealand, as a means of preventing further dissension between' the natives and Europeans. Thus, whilst the Maoris were on board the Herald, the marines were landed and the Union Jack hoisted on the pa of Horikaka (Cloudy Bay) under a salute of 21 'guns. The yards were manned and three cheers given by the party ashore were reciprocated by those on the vessel—a celebration that was greeted with enthusiasm by the natives on that memorable South Island date—June 14.

South and Stewart Islands. The notices of declarations of sovereignty in respect of the two southern islands were signed by the officers and. crew of the Herald, with Joseph Nias (captain) and Thomas Bunbury (major, charged with a diplomatic mission) as witnesses. Lord John Russell, under date March 30, 1841, in a letter to Hobson, acknowledging . the declarations for the purpose of effecting the adherence of the natives to the Treaty of Waitanghi (Waitangi) conveyed the approval of Her Majesty's Government of the measures adopted, and expressed thanks to Major Bunbury and others for their exertions in executing the service.

On August 12, 1844, Major Bunbury left Sydney with his regiment for India, the four divisions sailing in tho ships Royal Saxon, Briton, Lloyds and Enmore. The headquarters were on the first-mentioned vessel, Major Bunbury and companies 2, 3, and G, and 33 women (the wives of men of tile regiment) and 33 children being on board the Briton, which was the only ship that did not arrive safely at Colombo. Andaman Island Wreck. The captain of the Briton, after leaving Singapore, decided to go through the Straits of Malacca, which was barely cleared when a terriffic gale was encountered. All the deck boats were either smashed or lost. The storm lulled, but renewed with double intensity, and during the darkness the ship struck. Next morning it was discovered that the Briton had been carried by a huge tidal wave high and dry into a mangrove swamp ' area on the little Andaman Islands, a considerable distance in from the shore. To the surprise of those aboard, a ship that had been passed the previous day and which proved to be the Bunnymede (carrying troops of the 10th and 50th Regiments and their wives and children to Calcutta) was stranded nearby. The experience of the castaways on this inhospitable island for fifty" days was vividly described by Major Bunbury, in his dispatch reporting the double I disaster. He took charge of the situation, proclaimed martial, law, and, by good I

management and firmness, aided by the officers, greatly buoyed up the spirits of the distressed community, which suffered because of the lack of edibles on the island. The long-boat of the Runnymede eventually was rigged up, and, rcehristencd the Hope, soon sailed to the nearest port to obtain relief for the ship-wrecked people. Three transports arrived on December 29, and on January 1, 184:5, they sailed for Calcutta. Next month the Commander-in-Chief in India wrote commending Bunbury for his work, and the Duke of Wellington also wrote, from England endorsing those sentiments. Gallantry in India.

There is no need to detail the later exploits of Major Bunbury in . India where, as Lieutenant-Colonel, he took part in various important engagements, notably at Feiozesliah, where the 80ths desperately and gallantly silenced the Sikhs' guns at heavy cost. The Duke of Wellington spoke of this achievement in tlie House of Parliament. At Sabraon the British troops were saved from annihilation by the action of Colonel Bunbury in wheeling his three companies of the SOths to the right flank, where, under heavy fire, they captured battery after battery from the enemy. This vitally contributed to an important victory, which brought the first war against the Sikhs to an end. For his services Lieut.-Colonel Bunbury received the C.B. On December 31, 1549, he retired from his command, his last act being to present new colours to his regiment at the European lines in Delhi.