WAIKATO VETERAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 209, 2 August 1935, Page 12

WAIKATO VETERAN.

FOUGHT IN TARANAKI IN 1860. MR G. E. HOLLOAVAY’S CAREER. MORRINSVILLE. Aug. 1. Born at. Ilnlberton, Devonshire, on July 31. 1837. and stated to he tho oldest Maori AA'ar veteran now living and the only surviving member of the British force which took part in the disastrous attack on Puketakauere pa. near AVaitara. in 1850, Mr George Enos Holloway, of Thames Street, Morrinsville, celebrates his 98th birthday on Wednesday. Although so close to his century. Air Holloway still enjoys the use of all his faculties. Ho rises early and walks ul.-out his homo and garden as if he were a score of years younger.

Perhaps Mr Hollowav is also the oldest .settler of the AA’aikato. He served in the Waikato campaign against (he Maoris in 1803-04, and took his d'seharge after ff years and two months’ service in the 40th Regiment. Since then he has lived all his life in (he AA'aikato. coming to reside in retirement at Morrinsville in 1800.

Eighty years aw. when the Crimean War was attracting young men to the colours, Mr Hollowav joined the Army as a youth- of 1,8. and before long sailed lor Melbourne with his regiment. F : ve years of peac-ful dutv in A T 'ctoria and Tasmania followed. mi Ml the disturbances in Ta ranaki in 1800 resulted in troops being sent over from Australia. At the as-s-'ult on Puketakauere tbe British force of 950 men suffered 00 casualties. AA'hen tffie trouble with the ATaoris spread to the AA'aikato the 40tli Regiment was transferred to A uckl"nd. Afr Hol'owav was a foundation member of the K'ng’s Empire A r e 4 ernns’ Association many rears ago. R -ought nn to'the flo'i’-milling and bakorv business. Afr Hollowav followed tlic occupation of baker for forty years in the early days of the AVaikato. and recalls bnl-ing for a time at Morrinsville in 1885 soon af*“r the advent of the first settlers to the district.