MAORI WAR HERO

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18036, 13 March 1933, Page 3

MAORI WAR HERO

DEATH OF MR. B. BIDDLE HOLDER OF N.Z. CROSS SIEGE OF N GAT APA RECALLED The last surviving holder of the New Zealand Cross, Air. Benjamin Biddle, died at Whakatane on Friday, aged 93 years. Air. Biddle, who was a well-known resident of the Bay of Plenty for the greater part of his long life, joined the Armed Constabulary at the close of the Waikato War. After the landing of To Ivooli near Poverty Bay in July, 1868, he was a member of the force which set out under the command of Colonel (afterwards Major-General) Sir G.' 'S. Whitmore, in pursuit of the rebel leader. , M In December, after the frightful massacre of 32 Europeans at Matawhero. near Gisborne, Whitmore and the loyal native leader, Major Eopata, succeeded in driving To Kooti into his stronghold of Ngatapa. a formidable old hill fort which had been greatly strengthened to resist rifle lire. Seven hundred Europeans and natives took part in the siege, hut their number was insufficient to surround the pa completely. STRENGTH OF FORTRESS The’ fortress occupied a strong position upon a height, surrounded by cliffs and steep palisaded slopes on three sides and narrowing in the rear to a scarped ridgA It was necessary that, this'ridge should be occupied, as it was believed [n he the only possible line of escape for the defenders. A party of 12 constabulary under .Sergeant Shepherd, and including Mr. Biddle, was told off for this task. To reach the crest tbo men had to 'cut steps up tint face;' of the cliff under sharp fire from the enemy’s works. Thev succeeded, and eventually gained tlm ridge, which they held for the whole five clays of the siege. Every day they were exposed to very heavy lire from the pa, which virtually commanded the spot where they lay. Their only protection was a lo’iv breastwork of stone and a trench barely a foot deep that had been hastily dug with bayonets and tomahawks.

ESCAPE OF TE KOOTI

Meanwhile, Whitmore’s and Ropota’s force kept tiling into the stronghold, which was also shelled with p couple of light howitzers. On the eighth day of the siege part of the tirst defence End was taken, and the filial assault waS deferred until the next morning. Being well aware of this. Te Kooti and the surviving rebels tore up blankets into strips, let themselves down an unguarded section of cliff and escaped in the night, llopala made a successful pursuit, capturing many -stragglers, all of whom were summarily shot. To Kooti, liowever, evaded the pursuit- and disappeared for a time into the mountains. The attacking force lost 22 in killed and wounded and 132 rebels were killed in the. pa and during the pursuit. For conspicuous bravery in the fight Air. Biddle and another -'unstable named Black, a member of the same jiarty, .were awarded the New Zealand Cross. Sergeant Shepherd M'-eady the pos-

sessor of that decoration. For a number of years Mr. Biddle and the late Mr. George (Bow Icy) Hill, of Auckland, shared the honor of being the only surviving holders of the New Zealand Cross. In the early days af Opouriao Mr. Biddle undertook contracting work, and eventually drew a section when an estate was thrown open. He acted ns guide to the lit. Hon. R. J. Seddoti when, as Premier, he visited this dishid; journeying by way of the Ureweta and Waiknremouua to Gisborne. As a token of Mr. Seddnn’s appreciation of Mr. Biddle’s services on this trip, which in those days was very hazardous, Afr. Scddon presented him with a gold ring which the Premier was then wearing, as the last living holder of the Cross. A place has been reserved for Mr. Biddle’s portrait in the House of Representatives. He is survived by Airs. Takarna Ruatoki and Airs. P. Nathan, of Whakatane (daughters), and Afessrs. Edward, Jack, Tore, 'and Robert Biddle (sons).