SOLDIER-PIONEER PASSES

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2730, 13 July 1925, Page 7

SOLDIER-PIONEER PASSES

Captain G. A. Preece, N.Z.C. ENTHUSIASTIC ADVOCATE OF HYDRO-ELECTRICITY. In the death of Captain George Augustus Preece, which occurred at his late residence, Pitzherbert Street, oh Saturday tnornlng. New Zealand has lost one of the few remaining links .with its early colonisation. To the majority of Palmerston residents to-day the departed soldier-pioneer was known probably only as a veteran of the Maori wars but there is also a large band of older inhabitants who now mourn the loss of a true friend. “A grand old man has gone, were the words of one who knew him well. There are many members of the native race who will also pay deep respect to his memory( for although he was called upon to wage war On Certain of their number, there are many of the younger generation of Maoris who have experienced his devoted friendships. Indeed, he was looked upon as a rangitira of no mean standing. Captain Preece was born at Coromandel on ‘November G, 1845, being a son of James Preece and Mary Ahn Williams, who were married at Keri Kerl in 1833. Both father and mother came out to NcW Zealand a& missionaries under Samuel Marsdon and their marriage was the second white marriage to be celebrated in New Zealand. There were sevral sons and daughters of this union, and Captain Preece was the last surviving member of the family. It might also be mentioned here that he was a god-son of Bishop Sclwyn, after whom deceased was christened.

Young Preeco lived with his parents at tile Ahlkereu Mission Station until 17 years of age when, because Of his knowledge of the Maori language, he was appointed a Government interpreter. Later ho entered the Government service as clerk and interpreter to the Resident Magistrate at Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay in December 18G4 ana was attached to the colonial forces aa extra interpreter serving in the field through- the East Coast campaign of 1865-66 under Colonel Eraser. At the conclusion of hostilities he returned to duty in the Civil Service until July 1868 when Te Kooti escaping from tho Chatham Islands, he was again attached to the Colonial Forces with the rank of Ensign. Hfe served under Captain Richardson and Tuke Major Westrupp and Colonel Lambert and was in several expeditions against the rebel natives. After the Poverty Bay massacre hb was made Lieutenant In command of the Wairoa Native Contingent. He accompanied Major Ropata and the Ngatiporou contingent to Poverty Bay for the purpose of following up the rebels and was present at the Xdakeretu engagement. At the first attack on Ngatapa he received tho special thanks of the Government and was subsequently awarded tho New -Zealand Cross decoration. Captain Preece later served through the West Coast campaign of 1868-6 D under Sir George Whitmore and was several times mentioned in despatches. With Colonels Herrick and McDonnell he saw service in the Taupo district and was again mentioned in despatches on three occasions. He was promoted to the rank Of Captain in February, 1870. The command of the Native contingent was entrusted to him engaging Te Kooti and his rebels when they sought refuge in the King Country. Deceased experienced great hardships in the Urew .a during these expeditions. Later he was appointed Sub-Inspector in the Armed Constabulary and returned to the Civil Service in May 1876 as Resident Magistrate at Opotikl. On the occasion of the first attack on Ngatapa his behaviour was so conspicuous as to elicit the admiration of Major Ropata who recommended him for special reward with these complimentary remarks —“with two or throe more like him w e would have been able to break into tho pa.’’ The thanks of the Government were conveyed to hiVn by Mr. Haughton, Acting Under-Secretary, who wrote under date of January 11. 1869 as follows: “I am directed to inform you that it has been reported that much of tho success of the expedition referred to was due to your courage and activity and thaf Ropata and all the natives who were present are loud in their praises. The Defence Minister desires me to say that he has much pleasure in conveying to you the special thanks of the Government.’’

There were only nineteen New Zealand Crosses awarded altogether and of those nineteen only four now survive This decoration was considered equal in merit to the Victoria Cross and was specially struck for issue to soldiers of the Maori War who were not members of the Imperial Army for in those early days only Imperial soldiers were entitled to the Y.C.

Of the Ngatapa incident G. W. Rusden in his History of New Zealand, says:—“Ropata with Mr. Precce proceeded to the attack. (December 5). Wairoa natives accompanied Preece who, with his advance guard, reached the fortress and sustained a volley, which, in splto of the remonstances of Preece, created a panic. The Maoris fled half-a-mile, leaving Ropata close to the pa, Mr. Preece returned to him and gallantly the two with 16 Maoris scaled the forest cliff until they found themselves exchanging shots with the enemy at a distance of less tllan 30 yards. Holes to servo as rifle-pits on the edge of the cliff were scooped out with a, hillhook and hands, and at 3 p.m. Ropata with his small band stormed an ~,urwork. When the party had tired their last shot they withdrew.” From Opotlki the late Captain Preece was transferred to Napier as Resident Magistrate where he lived for 12 years. At the expiry of that time he removed to Christchurch as second Magistrate and in 1892 resigned the service to set up business on his own account in Palmerston North, During his thirty-three years’ association with this town Captain Preece showed great interest in all matters pertaining to its progress and welfare and for a time was a valuable

member of the Chamber of Commerce. During the Great War he was actively engaged with the late Rangitano chief, Hare Rakcna Te Awe Awe, in patriotic efforts amongst tho Maoris. Another incident in the late captain’s career worthy of mention, was his being chosen to guide the Duke of Edinburgh over the historical spots of the Bay of Plenty during His Royal Highness's visit to New Zealand In 1870-71.

Captain Prccce displayed a tremendous interest in hydro-electric power for many years, and for a time, his schemes and suggestions were given a deaf ear even by the Government. He entered into voluminous correspondence -with the Government over the possibilities of Waikaremoana which he knew so well very many years ago and it gave him great satisfatcion to livo long enough to see his dreams fulfilled. He never gave up hope of seeing the waters of New Zealand harnessed for service although many times he characterised his endeavours as “the voice of the small sparrow from the house-top.”

Besides his widow, two sons and three daughters survive him. A third son, Trevor, was killed on Gallipoli in August,. 1915. According to custom Captain. Preece will be accorded a military funeral which will leave his late residence, Fitzherbert Street, at one o’clock today for All Saints' Church and then for the cemetery. The gun-carriage and firing party is being supplied by the local cadre of the H.N.Z.A.