THE LATE LIEUT.-COL. McDONNELL, N.Z.C.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XXI, 18 November 1899, Page 924

THE LATE LIEUT.-COL. McDONNELL, N.Z.C.

Lieutenant - Colonel McDonnell, N.Z.C., who died at Wang-.i nui last Wednesday, after a lingering illness, was the eldest son of Captain McDonnell, of the Royal Navy, immigrated to this country about the year IS4O. He received his first commission in August. |8(>;;, as Sub-Inspector of t'he New Zealand Defence Force, under Colonel Nixon. Served in the Hying column at Drury. Hurt's Farm. Maiiku. and Queen's Redoubt. Volunteered with Major Von Tempsky it tin - reconnaissance of I’aparata. returning successful after a narrow and providential escape from the enemy, for which service he received letters of thanks in general orders, both from General Cameron (the Comma nder-i n-Chief) and Colonel Nixon. Accompanied the Thames expedition, under BrigadierGeneral Carey. Was present at the

taking of Rangiaohia on the 2nd February, 1864 (where Colonel Nixon fell mortally wounded), and in the action fought on the following day. Received his captaincy in 1864. and soon after was appointed Resident Magistrate for Tipper Waikato. Was sent to the East Coast as second in command of the friendly Arawa tribes (being a good Maori linguist), where he encountered t'he enemy in several severe skirmishes, in one of which he was slightly wounded. Promoted to the rank of Brevet-major in .Inly, 1865. Soon after received orders to take the command of a native contingent at Wanganui; became the moving spirit in the capture of the Wereroa Pa, under Major (Now Colonel) Rookes; and accompanied the force in t'he relief ol Piperiki on the following day. Was sent, to Opotiki, under Major Brassey, where he. defeated the Hauhuus, inflicting severe punishment on them by capturing their settlement and destroying their stronghold of Kiore Kino, with a loss to t'he enemy of thirty killed. Was in command of the force at Waimana, and in the pursuit of Kereopa, taking his village and killing seven of his men. Captured the Pua Pa. and defeated the enemy al the fight that took place at the

gorge. Recalled to Wanganui with the Native Contingent, and served as advance guide to Brigadier - General Sir Trevor Chute, K.C.8.. throughout his campaign; taking part in the actions at Moturoa, Putahi, etc., where he was again wounded. Was made Colonel in April, 1867; ami was at the taking of Ketemarae and Keteonetea, under Colonel Butler of the 57th Regiment. While protecting the surveying parties in the Patea district, he defeated the Hauhaus at Pokaikai. I’ungarehu, Ketemarae. Waihi. Te linn, Keteonetea. Tirotiro. Moana. Ahipaipa and other places, at times against great odds, ami always with many diriieulties to contend against. lie embarked again for the East Coast, ami with the valuable assistae.ee of Henry Tacey Clark. Esq., Civil Commissioner. succeeded in inflicting a 'heavy blow on the rebels at lliria, above Lake Rotorua. He was recalled to Patea. en route for Hokitika, on the West Coast of the Middle Island with 100 men to quell a political disturbance amongst the mining community. In July. 1868, he received his commission as Inspector of Armed Constabulary, ami in the following August made his first successful attack on Te Ngutu-o-te-

Manu. The second attack, made a few weeks later, was not so successful, he having been overpowered, with a loss of 50 killed and wounded, including five officers. This failure led to his resignation, which he was induced soon after to recall, and serve under Colonel Whitmore, who succeeded him. lie fell into an ambush and was again wounded. After taking part in the operations against Titokowaru. at Tauranga-ika and the Karaka Flats, he again resigned. In July, 1861), he was requested by the Government to take command of the forces against Te Kooti, in the Taupo and Uriwern country, where, after enduring many privations from cold and hunger, through want of provisions in an unexplored and nearly impenetrable country, he was successful in defeating the rebel chief at Tokano, and at his favourite position at Porere, where he stormed the pa, ami killed 40 of Te Kooti's best men. He afterwards continued the pursuit to Patetere and Te Papa, when, after again defeating- Te Kooti, with a further loss of seven men, the Government recalled the European force from the pursuing column. For his personal bravery LieutenantColonel McDonnell was awarded the New Zealand Cross.