DEATH OF VON TEMPSKY

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1933, Page 11

DEATH OF VON TEMPSKY

TE NGUTU O TE MANU STORY DISASTROUS ATTACK ON MAORI PA. GOVERNMENT TROOPS AMBUSHED, Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu (“The Beak of the Bird,” so called because of its peculiar construction) was a stronghold of rebel Natives when on September 7, 1868, Colonel McDonnell and Major von Tempsky sallied forth from the Waihi Redoubt with 250 Volunteers and Armed Constabulary, while Rangihiwinui (Major Kemp) headed a body of 110 friendly Natives. . A month before McDonnell had surprised the rebel chief Titokowaru at Te Ngutu and burnt the place, but there were other hostile pas on the outskirts of the' bush. One of these was Te Rua-ruru, and the object was to get there, carry a surprise assault and return to Te Ngutu, which was thought to be deserted. There were some .narrow Native trails through the almost impenetrable bush, but only that to Te Ngutu was properly known. Colonel McDonnell followed this till he judged it time to make off towards where Te Rua-ruru was supposed to be.

However, the new track gave out and the contingent halted in a puzzle. So far not an enemy had been seen and Major Kemp sent a man to reconnoitre from one of the tall rata trees. The advice was to halt and lie in waiting and make plans for attack next day. But the troops struggled on through the bush until suddenly voices burst upon them, whares were discerned and the “friendlies” rushed the place. Two- or three wild shots, a corpse to each bullet, and the place was empty. There was a broad track before the contingent and all thoughts of a surprise were at an end. It was a case of push on and trust to fate. Major Kemp threw out his skirmishers, Von Tempsky took his force forward and McDonnell, thinking Te Rua-ruru close at hand, formed up his men, ready for sharp fighting. Four hundred yards further on more empty whares stood about the track. In a flash the truth burst upon McDonnell and his men! They were in the rear of Te Ngutu and the pa they thought level with the ground was rebuilt and with another stockade it frowned before them, bristling with the muzzles of hostile rifles. Bullets hailed from the right and from the rear, but the foe was invisible. Perched in the tops of lofty ratas the enemy’s marksmen singled out the offi-

cers. Von Tempsky chafed like a caged lion at the inaction. He order his men to take what cover they could, but the trap had closed upon them all and it was plain that they were in desperate straits. The only loophole of escape was to the left, and towards this the colonel ordered his men to retreat. Sendipg his brother to recall von Tempsky he and his men, hampered by wounded on stretchers, began to cut they way through the fern and supplejacks, the enemy’s fire increasing and galling them to madness. The daring von Tempsky was cheering on his men when a bullet struck him down and he died without a sound. To mark the spot where this occurred there has been erected a monument to the valiant officer and his men in the' picturesque Te Ngutu Domain. Those visiting the area are thus reminded of one of the thrilling episodes of Taranaki history. There were that afternoon scenes of panic and disorganisation mixed with instances of courage and valour. McDonnell struggled through the forest, his men in despair and their ammunition failing them, while Titokowaru’s men swarmed in the rear and shot down all they could. It was dusk before they reached the bush and it was 9 or 10 o’clock before the Waihi Redoubt was reached. AU- night long there were driblets of men coming in. McDonnell and his men got away with comparative ease, but not so von Tempsky’s division. When his men, who had been scattered among the trees, heard that their leader was down their spirits fell and the task of leading the little band of 80 out of the ambush devolved on Sub-Inspector Roberts. For a short time the Natives dogged their steps and the carnage was dreadful and the horrors of that lonely night in the heart of the forest surpassed what had been endured in the day. By daybreak the little force began to see its way clear, and by 8 o’clock the remnants were safe in the Waihi Redoubt once more. Tq-day the scene of the tragedy of 65 years ago bears no indication of it? former strife. The rattle of arms is silent. The face of the country has changed. Gone is the old tangled bush with its monster trees and treacherous supplejacks; there is now in its place a scene of peacefulness more resembling a beautiful English park. Von Tempsky himself will always be remembered by a road just south of the site of the historic engagement now bearing the name of Tempsky Road. Captain Roberts, who led the retreat after the reverse at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, was afterwards raised to the rank of Colonel, and later commanded the Volunteers and Armed Constabulary when Te Whiti and Tohu were taken into custody from Parihaka. Colonel Roberts, died three or four years ago at Rotorua, where he had lived in retirement for many years. J