WHERE VON TEMPSKY FELL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13746, 8 September 1908, Page 3

WHERE VON TEMPSKY FELL.

BATTLE OF TE NGUTU O TE MANT.

THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRA-

TIONS.

(Abridged from Hawora Star). Splendid weather was experienced on Sunday, when a large crowd of settlei'f; from all parts of the district, variously estimated at between 1500 and 3000, assembled at Te Ngutu o te Manu Park. Forty years is a short span in the history of a nation, but it has meant much to the Maori race. It was here, such a comparatively short time ago, that the native warriors triumphed. To-day, amongst that large concourse oi" people the writer saw but two Maoris— a youth and a boy — one a volunteer, the other a cadet. It appeared that the Maoris by common agreement had absented themselves, which was rather singular when it is remembered that it was a British defeat and not a British victory that the pakehas had assembled to commemorate.

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Masked in front of the monument, (upon which a wreath had been hung by Mr Arthur Peters, of Matapu), weir the Hawera Rifles (under Captain Wilkie and Lieut. Wright), Haurv. School Cadets (Captain Strack), H:\ wera Mounted Cadets (Captain Mitchell and Lieut. Broderick), Opunake Mounted Rifles (Sergt. -Major Nimo ham), Elthani Riilos (Captain Clarke). Hawera Mounted Rifles (Lieuts. Sutherland and Young), Kaponga Bra^ Hand (Bandmaster Eccleston), Manain Brass Band (Bandmaster Cosgrove). The Rev. Klingender read the s«v \ ice, which was deeply impressive, tlu hymns being assisted by the band music. The Rev. F. W. Boys read tlrfirst chapter of the book of Joshua. In opening his remarks Hey. Klin gender read apologies from His Excellency tho Governor. Colonel Bauchop Hon. John Brycc, Lieut. Herizel (whe. besides Captain Robertson, was thonly one ofvon Temp&ky'.s officers v. !:<• escaped), Captain Davies, Mrs KettK (Major von Tempsky's sister^, Lieut. Colonel Roberts, Lieut. -Colo«el Newel! and Colonel Gorton, all of whom ex pressed great regret at their inability to be present, owinij; to various causes. Mr Klingender said he had not Hi' 1 slightest idea when he first suggested the service that it would extend a. i< had done, but as soon as it was adver jtised he found it would be a big thiirj. It. was manifest that the settlers of to-day had not forgotten that the peacr and prosperity uas due in a nvr-.xi measure to the sacrifice and work of th' men whose memory they were now hosi ouring. We were apt now to t?kcthings as a matter of course, and foi get the peiils and sufferings of fort> years ago. However, it was good tf think that what was dono then would be done now if occasion arose. Those around him would be ready to take part, although it would not be against savages, but against men better instructed in military affairs than themselves, men whom it would bo mudharder to defeat than the Maoris oi forty years ago, warlike though the.\ wero. Since to-day's service had been taken up so whole-heartedly he though^ it should be made an annual affair, and such arrangements could be made thai future gatherings would be better organised. THE VETERANS. Twelve veterans were present, and the medals they wore so proudly wore objects of veneration. Seven of them [participated in the tragic and disastrous encounter at Te Ngutu. The.\ wore: — Private J. Livingston (Taranaki Volunteers;, Hawera;. Private J. Flynn (Taranaki Volunteers), gawera; Pwvate J. H. Walker (Wellington Rangert and A.C.). Waitara; Private J. Hickman (Wellington Rangers and A.C.), Urenui; Private J. O'D. Qniglay (No 3 Mounted A.C.), Inglewood; Private J. J. Griffiths (No. 3 Mounted A.C.). New Plymouth; Private T. P. Lister (Armed Constabulary), New Plymouth. The others were Sergt. Wallace and T. Hickman (Wellington Rangers and 2nd Armed Constabulary), J. Hesloj(Waipawa Constabulary), W. N. Jenkins (Wairoa Rifles), and J. Tait (2nd Waikato Forest Rangers).

HON. R. McNAB'S SPEECH.

The Hon. R. McNab, addressing tlir gathering, said he was there to represent the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and his presence showed the very great importance the CJo vernraent attached to the occasion they were now commemorating, which had an important bearing, indeed, upon the defence of the country. This great demonstration and ceremony would briny, before their minds, and the minds of the young cadets who were now prepar ing themselves for future defence, the perilous work their fathers had to dc before they were able to settle tbiV country. The early settlers found hero a brave and warlike race, who did what any other race would do wlien they found their country was slipping away from them : they fought for every inch of ground. Rules of warfare were dif ferent, and they must not blame thr natives if some of their rules were vqvv savage indeed. He believed if we hnrl many more ceremonies such as this the problem of defence would be greatl\ simplified. At the present there was no doubt we were living in a Fool'? Paradise. Because there were now m enemies within this country it must no! be thought that the defence problem was solved, for with the advance of civilisation Powers were able to strike from great distances. What he wanted to impress upon the old settlers wa •> that the work they did forty years agn was living after them, and would live after they had passed away. And h" also wanted to show the volunteers of to-day that in after years there would be the same recognition of their services. He welcomed the hundreds whe had come to pay their tribute of respect to the departed dead. While travelling abroad one of the things which struck him mo&t was the national recognition in the United States of those who fvV in connection with their civil war. Ono day a year was set apart for this purpose, and the nation's recognition of valour built up a sentimont around which a rallying point was formed. I* was fitting to remember that ho wliom death they were now commemorating was not horn in this country. He in trained in an army against which the British had fought. But von Tempslo traveller! to America, to Australia, and then camo to New Zealand, and was vc pleased that he took service under tlu> British flag and fought and died Un this country. Hp would close by repeating those lines from Bracken — Brave young land, thy roll of glojv shines with many a gallant name, Thou hast many a thrilling story doaj to lion our, true to fame. Thou canst boast a band of heroes whose undying deeds shall blazo When thy chronicles of valour shall be read in after days. "We are now," said Mr McNab in conclusion, "reading in after years tlv chronicles of those heroes whoso undying deeds arc still ablaze."

OTHER SPEAKERS

Rev. Mr Boys (Hawera) paid a warm tribute to the brave work of those soldier pioneers who were so rapidly passing away, and expressed the belief that it was a strenuous manhood that was growing up to carry on the work of those who had gone before. Mr Major, M.P.., referred to the great results which had evolved from Mr Klingender's suggestion. He belieyed this commemoration day should and would be an annual affair, and that not only from Taranaki but from all parts of the Island people would come to visit the scene of one of the most stubborn fights in the history of the Dominion.

Tho troops, headed by the bands and led by the veterans, inarched past tho monument, and upon returning the buglo band attached to the Hawera School Cadets sounded the Last Post. The Hon. Mr McNab then inspected tlm ranks and Avas personally introduced t<> the veterans, with whom he cordially shook hands and whose medals he examined with evident interest. The various companies were then dismissed and a most interesting ceremony was ended.