MAORI WAR VETERAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1075, 12 September 1930, Page 14

MAORI WAR VETERAN

WAS A BUGLER AT ELEVEN YEARS OF AGE MR. DELANEY’S BIRTHDAY Celebrating his 74th birthday todav Mr. Michael Walter Delanev, .Maori War veteran, sprinter and horseman, is still alert of mind and walks with sprightly step. . lie claims to be the youngest Maori War veteran. His life has been one of adventure. Born in a tent during the Bendigo gold rush, on September 12, 1856. he was destined to endure many hardships. lie first went into action as a bugler at Opotiki, when only 1L years of age. This was during the raid by Kereopa on the Waioeka Redoubt, in the course of which the rebel natives were driven back to the ranges.

His father, John D. Delaney, was also a soldier, and served in the Kaffir War in Africa and later, after going to Australia for the Bendigo gold rush, came to New Zealand, where he became recruiting sergeant to the First Waikato Regiment. Following the murder of the Rev. Mr. Vaulkner and James Faloon by Kereopa and his rebels, Mr. Delaney’s father was drafted to Opotiki with his company. There the troops were inspected by Sir George Grey and Mr. Delaney sounded the general salute when the guard of honour presented arms. Shortly after the Poverty Bay massacre. in 1868, Mr. Delaney met Captain Dundry, who was proceeding to Poverty Bay in the s.s. St. Kilda with a number of loyal natives of the Arawa tribe. He asked him to accompany liis party. Thus Mr. Delaney reached Poverty Bay in time to join a large body of troops advancing on Ngatapu, To Kooti’s stronghold. Later, after serving with several other companies, Mr. Delaney served with Captain Preece’s native contingent at Te Ko, and in 1875 was drafted into the mounted constabulary. Two years later he obtained his discharge and took up sprinting and riding. At both sports he met with a considerable amount of success.