New Zealand’s Roll of Honour.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1326, 23 September 1915, Page 4

New Zealand’s Roll of Honour.

MAORI'S LAST FAREWELL TO THOSE AT HOME.

Of the many typical letters received from, members of the N.Z. Maori Contingent, the following, written by the late Private. Donald Ferris, who was killed in action at the Dardanelles, is of particular interest, being the last letter home from this brave soldier. Private Ferris, whose portrait appeared in last week’s issue of the “Review,” was a son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Ferris, of Gisborne, and the letter, which was written from Ghain, Tuffieha, Malta, is as follows: —“This may be. my last letter home, as we are on the verge of moving off into the firing line. We are certain that it will not be more than three weeks from now, and we are constantly route marching to make ourselves fit for the task that’s before us. When we enlisted for the war we were only to do garrison duty, and that duty was to be done in Egypt. On our arrival in Cairo’ we pleaded that we. should see active service, before General Maxwell, who was in command of all the forces in Egypt, and Sir lan. Hamilton, General Godley, etc. They must have considered our petition; as we were only a week in Egypt when we came on to Malta. When we arrived here we asked to see active service again before Lord Methuen (Governor of Malta). He said, while addressing us, that he would write to headquarters, i.e., to Lord Kitchener and his staff. A fortnight afterwards he visited the camp again and confirmed our wishes. Boys who did not want to see active service were given the chance when he gave the command, “Those who wished to see garrison duty should slope arms.” I am proud to write home and say not one sloped arms, but remained at attention. A haka immediately followed, led by Captain Wepiha. Colonel Herebert was so proud of us that he gave us the day off: In his address he said that the day was a great day in the history of the Maori race, and so it was. In my spare time I visit the hospitals to get as much information as I can from the wounded. A very pitiful sight to see some of them, but not a discouraging sight to those who are about to be in the firing lines. It only turns man’s good nature into vengeance, hatred, and, after all, we live and glory in killing one another. As each day passes and draws us nearer to our enemy, I feel I could

bayonet everyone I came across without valuing my own life. Up to the present I don’t think a sounder body of men of the forces has left New Zealand than ourselves. The. wounded say it is hell, and us boys who are only witnesses of it yet, hear nothing else but praise for the New Zealanders and Australians. Twelve of us were appointed a fortnight ago to form the machine-gun section for the B Company and 12 for the. A Company. Pare—(P. Pewhoirangi, reported in our last issue as slightly sick) and I are both in, and doing our best to make ourselves acquainted with the gun. It, is essential that a man must have 12 months’ training before he is considered competent. At the Dardanelles the machine guns are doing more damage than any of the big guns, and it is the most responsible, risky position in any force. We were given a holiday on Empire Day. The day was also celebrated on the Italians joining the Allied forces. Strange, to say, while walking up the main street in Valetta I met two of the New Zealand nurses, both of whom came from Wairoa. I inquired for Sister Taylor, and they say she will arrive very soon. So I’m expecting to see her. I wish Edie and Baby—(the writer’s sisters) —could come out and help to nurse the wounded. A soldier’s last comfort and solace is in the hands of these girls. I may have ■ another opportunity of writing home again, and if I don’t, let us trust to the will of Providence that both of us (in fact all of us) shall see dear mothers, sisters,” etc.

Captain Pererika Pirimi Tahiwi, of Otaki, N.Z. Maori Contingent, wounded, was born on September 16th, 1890. He began school at Otaki on January 31st, 1898. He went to the Te Aute College from February Bth, 1904, until 1908. Passing his examination as teacher he began teaching in the Otaki Maori College under the Rev. McMickle (headmaster) and also Rev. Blathwayt. Captain Tahiwi joined the Territorials on October 9th, 1911. Upon the decision to send a Maori Force abroad he joined the, Maori Contingent and went to Avondale camp on October 19th, 1914. While there he was promoted senior lieutenant on November 30th. The Maoris left New Zealand by the Warrimoo on February 14ch, 1915. In Egypt he was again promoted, to the rank of captain, on April 3rd, 1915. He was very popular

in Otaki, and was a famous tennis, hockey and football rep. player. Private Errol (Ned) Velvin, Wellington Infantry Battalion, died of wounds, was a .son of Mr. George Velvin, of Eltham. He was 21 years of age, having lived all his life in Eltham prior to enlisting. He belonged to the Taranaki Company, being one of the first to enlist. He was a general favourite and will be missed by a large circle of friends.

Captain Victor Arthur KeSsall, N.Z.S.C., who was killed in action at Anzac, Gallipoli Peninsula, on August 8, was Adjutant of the Wellington Mounted Regiment, and prior to the outbreak of war Adjutant of 6th (Manawatu) Mounted Rifles. He had had previous war experience, serving in the South African War, 1900-2, and again in helping to quell the Zulu rebellion of 1906. His war services are recorded in the New Zealand Army List as follow: —“South African War, 1900-2: Operations in the Orange Free State, April and May, 1900, including action at Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill (11th to 12th June). Operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, including actions at Reit Vlei and Rhenoster Kop, July to 29th November, 1900. Operations in the Transvaal west of Pretoria, July to 29th November, 1900, including actions at Zilikats Nek. Operations in Cape Colony south of Orange River, February to April, 1900. Operations in the Transvaal, 30th November, 1900, to February, 1901, and April and May, 1902. Operations in the Orange River Colony, March, 1901. Operations in Cape Colony, February, 1901, and March, 1901, and May, 1902. Zulu rebellion, 1906. Queen’s medal with four clasps, King’s medal with two clasps, Zulu medal.” Captain Kelsall was born in Scotland, and was 41 years of age.

Private Basil T. Talbot, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, killed in action, was the tenth son of Mr. John Talbot, Temuka, and was 22 years of age. He was born at Temuka and received his education at th® Temuka District High School, where he matriculated. While at school he was prominent in the athletic field, taking a particularly keen interest in both cricket and football. After leaving school he went to work on his father’s farm, Rangitira Valley. He entered into the Territorial work with great zest, and when war broke out was very anxious to get to the front, and would not rest contented until he was accepted for the Third Reinforcements. Private Talbot was a brother of the member for Temuka (Mr. C. J. Talbot), Dr.

Talbot (Timaru), and Mr. A. E. Talbot, one of those who discovered the overland track between Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound. Private Talbot had many friends in Temuka, and the news of his death cast a gloom over the district. His parents and relatives have been the recipients of numerous expressions of sympathy in their sad loss. Major Wilfred Courtney Sinel, Auckland Infantry Battalion, wounded, is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Sinel, of Peel' Street, Grey Lynn. Major Sinel left Auckland with the rank of captain in the 6th Hauraki Regimenit, and was promoted on the field. He is a native of Auckland, and was educated at the. Richmond Road School. He later went into the shipping business with his father, and military matters occupied his attention outside his daily employment. He served as a volunteer with the old No. 3 .Natives Company, and later with the A Battery, N.Z.F.A. Subsequently he held the rank of lieutenant in the Eden Cadets, and then became captain of the Devonpor't Cadets. Major Sinel was a captain in the contingent that represented New Zealand at 'the. coronation of King George in London. His brother, Private E. J. Sinel, is on service with the 6th Haurakis at the Dardanelles. Major Sinel was very popular in the shipping and business circles of this city, and his many friends will no doubt be. very glad to hear that he is progressing favourably. Private James McDonald, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, wounded, is the fifth son of Mr. Thomas McDonald, of 62 Harper Street, Sydenham, Christchurch. He received his education at the. Waimate and Sydenham schools, and was an upholsterer by occupation at the time of his enlistment. He is twenty-one years of age, and left with the main body. Prior to enlisting he was a member of the Territorial band and took a keen interest in Territorial work. He was also a member of the Regimental Band which left New Zealand with the main Expeditionary Force, and a member of the Salvation Army Band.

Private A. F. Wells, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, wounded, is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Wells, of Reefton. He was educated at the Reefton District High School, and entered the Post and Telegraph Department at the age of 15. He has been stationed at different times at Reef£on, Grey mouth, Wellington, Nelson and Westport Posit Offices. From the lastnamed place he enlisted, and left Wellington with the 4th Reinforcements. At the time of being wounded he. was serving with the Signalling Corps.