The Old Volunteers

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 181, 29 April 1941, Page 9

The Old Volunteers

Sir, —I was pleased to read your article on tne old Wellington Volunteers. I was a cadet in 1866, under Captain Aitken, and then under Captain C. P. Powles, father of the present Colonel Powles. Ou his retiring, my company, the Wellington Rifle Volunteer Cadet Corps, was taken over by Captain Buck and Lieut. Hastings. On these two officers joining Major Von Tempsky’s Rangers, Captain Crowe, then captain of the old veteran company of whom you speak, took us over, and in 1872 I was appointed Ist lieutenant and George Godber 2nd lieutenant. Captain Crowe later became a colonel. Captain Buck and Lieutenant Hastings were shot In battles at Ngutu-o-te-Manu, and Buglar J. H. Walker rescued their bodies and only got a medal Instead of a cross. Years after he met the Hon. R. J. Seddon at Pahiatua and they conversed on the subject, but the Premier said: “Well, Walker, I have no time just now, as I am going to Sydney, but will see what I can do for you on my return.” As is well known, he did not return alive. Walker became a first-class Native interpreter after the war.- Some 10 years after seeing Mr. Seddon he came to Greytown. It was here where I came in contact with him as st J.P. and witnessed many of his transactions. I took the matter up and wrote to the veterans’ associations in Wellington and Palmerston North, both of whom said it was too long ago to do anything. But Captain Bates said there was an Act passed by which he could get the old-age pension as well as the military one. This I procured for him, and he enjoyed it for a time. When he died I buried him at Papawai as he wished, but could not get a military funeral. Later I wrote to the War Graves Department and got a war grave for him. This was put up by the department and looks very well. I knew Major Von Tempsky before he and the Wellington contingent embarked. They were encamped where the Wellington Club is now, on The Terrace. On leading his men he carried a Native taiaho and looked every inch a soldier. When the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Wellington I was in the cadet corps, and, with others, was present on the Queen’s Wharf when he landed. —I am, etc., MARK MAXTON. Greytown, April 19.