OLD SOLDIER PASSES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17145, 30 December 1929, Page 6

OLD SOLDIER PASSES

PIONEER OF THE DISTRICT DEATH OF MR. JOHN WALSH An old and "highly-respected member of the community passed away today in the person of Mr. John Walsh, of Mangapapa, a veteran of the Armed Constabulary and of the British forces which in the sixties Averc engaged in quelling the Maori tribes. The late Mr. Walsh had been ailing for a. considerable time, and during the last few weeks it was obvious that his span of life was drawing to its close; nevertheless his demise came as a shock to his many friends, and deep sympathy for his family will be felt throughout the district. Born in Newtown, County Cork, in 1844, the late Mr. Walsh developed the travelling urge early in life, and at the age of 11 years joined the complement of a man-o'-war. He saw service in the China seas, and took part in fighting there, though according to his recollection of the events the fighting was not serious from the British point of view. Mr. Walsh's parents had meanwhile joined the rush of Irish immigrants to Canada, and after serving his time in the navy, Mr. Walsh joined them there, but not for long: The seafaring life called him again, and he took ship aboard a merchantman bound for New Zealand, where trouble with the natives was being experienced in an increasing degree at that time.

Landing at Port Chalmers, the young seaman found the chances of adventure in the newly-colonised country strongly attractive, and he left his vessel and lived for a while in Otago, later going north to Taranaki. There he came in contact with the great bush fighter. Yon Tempsky, and as a member of the Forest Rangers he did his share in putting down the rebellion amongst the West Coast tribes. His unit was later transferred to, the Tnupo area, and Mr. Walsh decided on a change, which the opportunity, of joining the Armed,Constabulary offered. As one of the famous body of men who comprised the mounted and armed police force, under military control, he first came to Poverty Bay, and in this district he resided from 1871 until his death.

CONSTABULARY DAYS During his association with the constabulary, Mr. Walsh had plenty of experience in bush work, for his qnif wits always ready for a dash, after ' troublesome natives, and made raaay excursions into the hinterland, though without success, in the search foir the elusive Te Kooti. , There were .some fights, but they were always inconclusivCj owing to the natives' superior knowledge of the country. Nevertheless, there was a considerable degree of risk involved, and Mr. Walsh, in. speaking of those days, always maintained that the constabulary had a very hard row .to hoe. The state of the public mind, with regard to tho native troubles, was indicated by the fact that practically every male adult was a member of the militia or the regular constabulary, and the militiamen held regular parades and field days. Tho blockhouse in Gisbome was regarded as a last resort in the event of a native rising of serious proportions, and the town was surrounded by a system of defences as an earnest of the general belief (hat trouble would come on a big scale. Scrub and light bush encroached on the boundaries of * the township, and it was;thought that natives might at any time assemble in this cover for the purpose of an attack. However, the only real trouble experienced from the Maoris, after tho massacre and its echoes had becomes things of .the past, was due to their habits of drinking and pilfering. Parties of Maoris would conic into town from the Coast, and any property left lying about was then unsafe from their marauding hands. ' Horses, clothes, merchandise of all sorts, and grass-seed had to be protected with the utmost vigilance against tho visiting natives, and the Armed Constabulary was expected to do most of the policework of the district.

'ln 1881 Mr. Walsh left the "constabulary, and undertook the business of baker, in which he enjoyed coil* siderable success, the lean periods being filled with contracting work. Of massive physique and striking stature, he was a well-known figure at all district sports meetings and other functions, and until recent years he retained his erect and soldierly carriage in a striking degree. Latterly ho has lived for many years at Mangapapa. Mr. Walsh is survived by his "rife, and leaves three sons, Messrs. John Walsh, of Tolaga Bay, and Thomas and Robert. Walsh, of Gisborne, and two daughters, Miss Bella Walsh and Mrs. Kathleen Smith, both of Gisborne. Two of Mr. Walsh's sons served in the Great War, and one, Mr. David Walsh, was killed, while another daughter, Miss May Walsh, was kilted in a railway accident some years ago. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended to Mrs. Walsh and familv in their sad bereavement.