MAORI WAR BRAVERY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8630, 10 July 1924, Page 5

MAORI WAR BRAVERY

CARRYING OF DESPATCHES. The death of Mr Harry Wrigg at Auckland the other day' recalls to* mind the deed for which he was awarded the New Zealand Cross (says an exchange). Mr Walter Delaney', a Maori war veteran, states that lie can remember the incident quite well. “Previously,” he says, “there had been two persons murdered a Waloeka by Kereopa (the ‘kai-karu,’ or eye-eater) and his cannibal followers. I w'as a lad not 11 years old, a bugler in the First Waikato 1 Militia, my father holding the rank cf sergeant. My father and mv • two brothers, also buglers, were on parade the morning that volunteers were called for to take the despatches asking for reinforcements from Opotiki to Tauranga. Donald McDonald and Harry Wrigg stepped out of the ranks in answer to tile call. They reached Tauranga without being molested. 'McDonald was afterwards murdered by' Te Kooti and his followers while carrying despatches from Galatea to Ruanaga, his fellow orderly, Sandy Black, making good his escape.-

‘Tli* New Zealand Cross was presented to Wrigg a number cf years oftevwards on a petition to Parliament. Donald McDonald was wellknown as a fearless and gallant troop'*'** in the Bav of Plenty Cavaljv. T have often regretted that his '"ddr-w xv c not olven the Cross in hono:\ri”T<f Ixcr dead husband, xVho Avas a mere bov when he v<dun- * s i,- -- U- it- - .t ”