RARE BOOK OF HEROES.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19313, 20 July 1934, Page 8

RARE BOOK OF HEROES.

VALOUR OF THE SIXTIES. DEFENCE OFFICE TREASURE. NICHE IN NEW MUSEUM? The quintessence of the gallantry of Maori and pakelia during New Zealand’s ten-years’ war of the sixties is recorded in 23 pages of the rarest book in New Zealand. A record which oblivion can never receive, the ‘‘Roll of the New Zealand Cross,” was produced like a vision of past glory from the archives of the Defence Department and shown to an Evening Post reporter. The writer predicts that the book will find a place of honour in the museum in course of erection on Mount Cook a l'cw chains away from tlie rusty building where it now lies. Jf there is any ■understanding by New Zealanders of the manner in which their present environment began, there should be no more precious deposit in the new museum building. A roll of heroes must be more imposing than the Gazette could make it. Here is the book tit to receive the names and deeds of heroes. As a sample of bookbinding of 65 years ago the Roll is a diamond of first water. It is in mint condition. It is bound in red leather and illuminated with designs embossed in gold, and theleaves, hinges, back, and covers were made to stand the test of time and wear. The leaves are of English parchment paper, with watermarks consisting of a crown with a rampant lion holding a baton in its paw, enclosed in an elipse. Each page is bordered with gold, is headed with the words in gold “N.Z. Cross,” records Hio name, rank, and corps, and lias another heading in gold—“ Act ot Bravery.” Study In Penmanship. Penmanship nourished in the sixties and seventies, and for the examples of copper-plate and formal legal styles alone the book is of value. Then, again, there arc the signatures of the Governors, of the Ministers of Defence, anti of Die Clerk of the Executive Council certifying the entries. Heroism is a quality, a disposition native or acquired that neither rank nor learning can give or take, The Maoris were the first to link New Zealand with epic heroism. It is tilting that the first folio in New Zealand’s rarest book concerns the bravery of a Maori and that there should be others to share the honours. ‘‘Page 1. ‘‘New Zealand Cross.” “Name: Henarc Kcpa 'Pc Ahururu “Rank: Constable. ‘‘Corps: No. I Division, Armed Constabulary. "Act of Bravery. ‘Tor bis gallant conduct, during Mi e attack on (be enemy’s posilion at, Moluroa on November 7, JB6S. The storming party, failing to (lnd an entrance, passed round to the rear of the pa. Conceiving an entrance was desired, Constable Kcpa climbed Hie palisades of the fortification alone, in doing which lie was shot, through I lie lungs. He nevertheless walked out of the action and brought, his arms into camp. "G. F. BOWEN “ (Governor). "Donald McLean ” ('Minister). “Approved in Council, “August J 7, 1870. “Forster Coring, “Clerk of the Executive Council.” Queen Approves Decision, The holders of Ihc New Zealand Cross were the following: Austin, Samuel: Adamson, Thomas; Black, Solomon: Biddle, Benjamin: Carkerk, Arthur Wakefield: Fealhcrsloii. Isaac Karl: Hill. George; llepa To Ahururu 1 tenure: I.ingard. William: Mace, Francis .loscph; Mating. Christopher: I Mair. Gilherl ; Met lomioll, Thomas; Norllirrofl. 11. W.; Preere, lirorg-c; Roiierls, ,lolm Mackintosh; Raiigiliiwintii. he pa; Rodrigue/., Antonio; i Smith, Angus: Shepherd, Rirliard; Waliawalia, Rep,a la ; Walker, Samuel; I Wrigg. 11. C. W. I The Victoria Cross not being applicIContinued in next column.)

aide, overtures were made during the lain sixties lo secure sanction for a decora live distinction. The scheme was put into operation by Order-in-Council of March 10, 1809, and Queen Victoria gave her rntiliealion on December 22. The New Zealand Gross was designed by a Commission appointed in July, 1870. by Sir George Bowen, G.G.'M.G., Governor, and the design was approved by Ihc Queen. “The distinction shall only he conferred upon those officers and men who, when serving in the presence of the enemy, shall have performed some signal act of valour or devotion lo their duty, or who shall have performed any very intrepid action in the public service,” slates the Order-in-Conneil. “and neither rank, nor long service, nor wounds, nor any oilier circumstance nr condition whatsoever, save merit of conspicuous bravery, shall lie held lo eslahlish a sufficient claim lo the honour. “The distinction shall lie awarded by Ihe Governor only, and shall nol he claimed by any individual on his own account. A roll shall ho kept in which shall he inscribed Ihe names of Ihe recipients and a brief description of the special act for which Hie distinction has in each ease been awarded. *"