THE LATE MAJOR VON TEMPSKY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 108, 17 September 1868, Page 2

THE LATE MAJOR VON TEMPSKY.

— «# — The following is communicated by a friend and comrade of the late Major Von Tempiky to the Grey River Argus :— M*y I trespass on your kindness by asking you to publish this short memoir of the late Major Von Tempsky. I think it will be interesting to some of your readers, as I know that members of his never-to-be-for-gotten band of forest rangers are now on the vVest Coast, having returned, after their exertions as true and good soldiers, to their occupation as miners, a* it was to thin class of men th:it M.ijor Von Vempsky always gave the preference as recruits in his corps. X^The late officer was by birth a Prussian, and descended froii a noble family. His brother is a 0010-iel in the Prussian army, and wa» wounded in the late campaign between J'ru«siii and Deumirk. Major Von Tempiky wa3 a soldier born, and from bis earliest youth was a wanderer over all nations He was also a man of great literary attainments and an expert linguist. His book of travels in South America is still read by the literati with interest. His youth, after service as an offi.-er of Prussian Hussars, was spent chiefly iv South America, and afterwards on the Californian and Melbourne goldfields, and his adventures in these places, as told by himself, hare beguiled many a weary hour with his comrades over the picquet fires during the late campaign in the North Islan27 Afttr the first advance of H.M. troops beyond Drury, in 1863, the -want of a body of bush-scourers was sadly felt, and Major Von Tempsky offered hii services to raise a body of men, similar in equipment and tactics to those used by the South American Government against the Indians. His offer was

accepted, and a reference to the fi:«s of Ihe Auckland papers will show the immense service this corps under his command wag to the Government. At Orakau, he was on the storming party, and the ready manner in which he brought kis men into action to intercept the escape of the Salivas wi'.l never be forgotten by those csgaged. After the suspension of hostilities in the Waikato district, Major "Von Terapsky's services were again in requisition to accompany MajorGeneral Chute in his famous overland campaign to Taranaki. In this he was under fire two or three tiroes. When Colonel Hassell fell, VonTempskr was there, and o i ir beloved and respected General's ordor, " 57th, advance ! Forest Rangers, clear the. hush 1" will never be forgotten. His health was much impared by the exposure consequent on this ca npaign ; and, to his honour may it be said, his sickness — acute rheumatism — was brought on by lying out at night in the wet and cold, when he had a comfortable, warm tent to go to ; but be elected to share the same hardships as his men, declining a tent where they had none. He, after the campaign was over, returned to Auckland to recruit, and passed a short time with his family ; but as soon ns he was well, his restless spirit and love of adventure took him to the Auckland goldields, where he had been some years before, and which he always predicted would sooner or later turn up trumps. How his prophecy has been fulfilled, the present events in Auckland show. Having resided some little time in Coromandel, he returned to Auckland, and devoted his time to literature and painting. His pictures of some of the moit exciting scenes in the Maori war have elicited the higheit commendation. When •the Armed Constabulary was formed he accepted an Inspectorship: how well he performed his duty has been late'y before us, and so fresh in our memory, that it is needless for me to comment on it. He is now gone, and I will say no more. I see that the account of his death says, "Von Tempsky is dead, but he nobly fell in battle." I know all his old comrades will feel certain of this. His death is a national loss ; although an alien, he zealously fought for the British -flag, and, whether as a soldier or a citizen, was universally beloved and respected. He has left a widow and three inf Ant children as • legacy t9 his adopted country. At a husband and father, no man could have been more anxious and solicitous for the welfare | of his wife and children, or more domestic in his habits ; and to have seen him playing with his little ones at home, or attending to his flower garden, or painting, no one would have guessed him to be the terrible Von Tempsky, the terror of the Maori warriors of the Waikato, East Coast, and Taranaki.