THE LAST OF LIVINGSTONE'S COMPANIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 94, 18 October 1906, Page 4

THE LAST OF LIVINGSTONE'S COMPANIONS.

A NEW ZEALAND VETEEAN. The last of Dr. Livingstone's famous expedition, Mr. W. M'Leod, was recently on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Boyne, wife of tho postmaster at Taihape. He has reached tho age of three score and ten. Aboiit two years ago he was seized with a paralytic (stroke, which has somewhat impaired a once vigorous constitution. The veteran, however, retains hi 3 cheerfulness, and is full of information connected^ with his eventful life. Prior to joining Dr. Livingstone's expedition, he served for the space of three years as an engineer on board H.M.S. Lyra (Commander Oldfield), a boat employed in the suppression of slavery on the African coast. In tho course of an interview with tho representative of the Taihape News, Mr. M'Leod related thrilling stories connect- | Cd witlftth© slavo trade. He graphically pourtrayed the cruelties perpetrated upon the unfortunate slaves in the matter of overcrowding- They were packed in the Arab ■ dhows in a stooping position — so close as to interfere with the freedom of their arms. / The sight, said Mr. M'Leod, with' a heavy sigh, was one that he could never forget. In those days slavery was rampant, and the unfortu j nate Africans were kidnapped and taken on board slave vessels chartered 1 by slave masters- in America. Leaving tho navy, after three years' service, Mr. M'Leod, in 1860, joined a sugar plantation belonging to her Majesty's Consul, Mr. Lamley. In tho sam 6 year he joined Dr. Livingstone's expedition at Snopanga— a village about 200 miles up" from.- the mouth of tha Zambesi river. He was engaged by Livingbtcme to put a steamer together, which was built on the Clyde. The steamer^irriYed in sections. While at this village Livingstone'a devoted wife died, and M'Leod anw the grief-stricken explorer take n final view of the face ho loved to dearly, and kisi tho lips which .were cold and rigid. A renting-place wns prepared for the body under a baobob tree mensuring '64ft in circumferance. AVith tho lapse of time, the^locaitty of tho gravo was forgotten*. In later years enquiries were made at Shupanga for infoimation.on the subject. Some natives were found who wero able to indicate tho spot. About a yeur ago n lady, writing to an English paper, stated that the lust member of tho Livingstone- expedition had died. ' Mr. M'JLeod's brp-

ther, on reading' this erroneous statement, communicated with hi» biolher and the lady in question, intimating that Xew Zealand pcs.+e3s,ed, in the person cf Mr. W. M'Leod tho ab&oluto solo suivivor of Dr. Livingstone's expedition. Mr. M'Leod left tho expedition in 1862, after a connection of some eighteen months. He was principally employed as engineer of the steamer on the river. Tho lending members of the expedition consisted of Dr. ivn-k, Hi: Miller, geologist, Thorndon, Bkhop Mackenzie, Aiclnbdld Murray, Dr. Livingetone's brother Charley Mr. Gcorgp Rae, chief engineer, with. Mr. M'Lectl as second engineer. Bishop Mackenzie died while M'Leod was at Zambesi. Miss Mackenzie came out to join her brother, but on her arrival she karnt of his death at Zambesi. The Livingstone expedition was recalled by despatch on tho 2nd July, 1863. M'Leod Was compelled to retire from the expedition on account of ill-health, caused by returning fever and ague. - Prior to M'Lcod'a secession from it he -was presented with a Bible by Miss Mackenzie, Bi6t«r of the Bishop, a gift highly treasured by tha recipient to this day. After spending a brief lime in his native country, M'Leod sailed for New Zealand, and landed iv Lyttelton in 1864, and has remained in this colony ever since. M 'Leod was .born in Campsie, Sterlingshire, Scotland, and was one of sixteen children, the family consisting of thirteen boys and three girls. Ho is related to D*r. Norman M'Leod. Notwithstanding his recent affliction, M'Leod is able to converse with, ease, and his memory concerning events is fairly good.