A GALLANT SOLDIER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 9 (Supplement)

A GALLANT SOLDIER

ADVENTUROUS LIFE t>F C. A. BEfITiNGTON.

FAMOUS EXPLOIT OF FORMER GISBORNI AN.

STIRRING' INCUDEiN'? IN ZULU WAR.

RECOVERS BODY OF PRINCE IMPERIAL.

KNIGHTED BY QUEEN VICTORIA.

PRESENTATI ON FROM EMPRESS EUGENIE.

As was natural in the early clays of New Zealand, the free and easy life in the new land, combined with Jihe-spice of danger, attracted adventurous spirits from all parts of the globe, especially the Homeland. In those days, men of aristocratic families fought side by side with the more lowly-born settler against the Maoris, and, when peace settled on the land took their share in the hard work ahead in the settlement of a new country. Gisborne, in common with other townships in the colony, had its quota of men, whose actions and speech betrayed gee - teel family connection. One of the most adventurous men of this stamp was Claude Arthur Bettington, well known in this district in the ’seventies, as a member of the police force, and the bailiff of the town. How he filled various positions, recovered tlie body of the Prince Im-

perial in Zululand, was honored by Queen Victoria and the Empress Eugenie and then fell a victim to malaria, makes up a. strange stoiy which even in those days was an uncommon narrative. Air Bettington was a young follow of medium height, pleasant looking, with a moustache, l.iut was always distinguished by his drawl and the fact that ho was soldom seen without his monocle, which lie fixed to his eye, no matter in what dangerous position he was placed. Ho joined the Armed Constabulary in Wairoa, having come from England. Later ho was transferred to Gisborne with the AC. to the blockhouse, and some time later lelt that, corps to join the Police Department. While in Gisborne, in the ’seventies, ho shared Air Robt. Thelwall’s “bach,’ and needless to say the two soon became firm friends. Mr Bettington, of course, was soon a wellknown figure in the township, and, despite his stand-oliish manner at times, was a. general favorite with all. He was a man who seemed to fear no danger and wont into the thickest fight with a- light heart—and iiis monocle in his eye.

HOW BETTINGTON CLEARED THE BAR.

On one occasion, while on duty in' j the police force, Mr Bettington was ■ called out to deal with a crowd of riotous Maoris. They were Ngatiporous who had just teen paid, and were painting the town red. They took charge of an hotel and the proprietor immediately sent a message , to the police. Mr Bettington appear- ' cd with his baton and looked 1 in at the bar. lie had affixed Ids eyeglass and tho merry Maoris were almost convulsed with laughter at his appearance. “Good God, what’s the game?” said Mr Bettington, and leaped over the bar counter where a huge Native was dealing out free drinks to his compatriots. Crack went the baton on the Maori’s head and down he fell. - Then Mr Bettington vaulted ever the counter and got into the midst of the Natives. The baton went up and down and the Natives fell like sheep before him. In a few moments, with the exception of those lying on the floor, the Ikr was cleared. All hart rushed helter-skelter outside to another hotel. Mr Bettington shook tho ringleader into a degree of consciousness and marched him off to tho. blockhouse. Then he came back and gathered in more of the victims. Still not satisfied, ho enlisted the aid of two follow police and they went after the rest, a good haul being made. And throughout all the trouble the calm and collected Mr. Bettington kept that monocle still in position. Needless to say, his feat was the talk of the town for sonic- davs, and Maoris and pakelia were alike admirers of the Englishman.

LIVERY STABLE KEEPER. AND DETECTIVE.

Then Mr Bettington decided to try business oil his own account, and took over the Masonic livery stables, behind the Masonic Hotel,, the stables being on a site near the present offices of Messrs. Roes, Bright. Vo "chop and Parker. He soon tired of the arduous work of attending. to the horsgs and then left for Christchurch. A brief interval was scent rn looking round the Cathedral Cit-v, and then Mr JV 'tington joined the detective force, largely on the strength of his work in the Armed Constabulary in Vairon and the police force in Casliorne. for he bad several smart ennfurcs here to his credit. He served with the Christchurch force for three venrs and. according to a letter received bv Mr Thelwall. <liv'ing that time, soon made good aril was promoted chief detective.

BOUND FOE ZULULANI).

At that time the air was full of war talk, for Turkey and Russia were at grips. Mr Bettington decided that New Zealand was too peaceful ri country in which to reside, and lcD for England, with the intention of lining tip with tho Turks. On arrival at London, however, ho toroid that the British campaign in Z'dula.nd had taken a serious turn, and for* I'Wjth joined nv with a rc< riliinnt <rwing out. nr”’viav on the scene of operations a few weeks later.

LAVING Or PRINCE IMPERIAL.

One morning a mom’ibr of the ‘>'Ti>panv gal loved into camp and ex. litediy broke the. news that the ad-i-ppfm’ous Prince Imperial, son of lie Emiti/ess Eugenie, who was' fightwith the British, had been nm>p.6ili«c> and killed, together with

most of his comrades, the returning man being, so iar as he knew, the only survivor. Private Bettington, who was off doty at the time, said, “Who’ll volunteer with mo to bring in the body?” Eour or five men immediately rushed to their horses, and, headed by Private Bettington, galloped to the scene of the tragedy. Here they found the body of the Prince Imperial shockingly mutilated. Fortunately, the Zulus had departed, otherwise the second party would have been wiped out also. Private Bettington placed the body of the Prince before him-on lys horse and returned to camp, which was found to 1>; in a state of consternation, for special precautions had been taken to guard the Prince. As soon as the body was handed over to the commanding officer, Private Bettington and his comrades were arrested and a few hours later courtmnrtialled for being absent from the camp without leave. Needless to say, no punishment was meted out to the daring band.

HERO HONORED BY ROYALTY.

Subsequently Private Bettington was presented to the Empress Eugenie, who liroken-heartcdlv thanked him and presented him with a diamond ring. He was then, through the influence of the Empress, presented to Oueen Victoria, who gave him a knighthood, lie was later appointed in command to a regiment at the Cape of Good Hope, but after his arrival was stricken with malaria and died.