W. Race - Notebook concerning the New Zealand Maori Land wars and verse, 189-

B 158

fonds

189-

431991

Microfilm : CY 127, frames 1-331 (B 158)

1 volume - 0.03 Meters
Textual Records - (manuscript)

The outbreak of hostilities in Waikato in 1863 between Maori and the colonial government, led to the formation of volunteer units to supplement British regiments. Gustavus von Tempsky received a commission with the Forest Rangers, an irregular colonial force that utilised guerrilla tactics. Tempsky established a reputation as an intrepid leader having taken part in conflict at Hairini, Waiari, Rangiaowhia, Kihikihi, and Orakau. -- Reference: McMillan, N. A. C. 'Tempsky, Gustavus Ferdinand von 1828 - 1868'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 16 December 2003, Online Jan. 2004

Contains notes on 'the Maori war' and poems and sentimental verse.
MAORI WARS
Under the Flag. Reminiscences of the Maori Land [Naikto?] War by a Forest Ranger.
Recollections provided 30 years after the event. Includes discussion of advertisement in Ballarat, Victoria requesting enrolment of volunteers for war, journey on the 'Star of India' to Auckland, recruitment and military training, uniforms, despatch of troops and campaigns, transfer from Captain Bendett [or Bindett] to the Forest Rangers raised by Von Tempsky, physical description of 'our' Captain (pp. 32-33), and report of various incidents and engagements with the Maori.
POEMS AND VERSE
Some of the poems and verse include:
Idle Hours, by a Ranger
Beyond the Bar, paraphrased from Lord Tennyson's Crossing the Bar
To a Capl... Butterfly
Ask me not why I love thee
Only to see thy face once more
The true love & the false
England's curled darlings
In memoriam, To Arnold (Rugby Fame)
Take back the heart that thou gavest
Snell and Barmaid

An explanatory note in an unknown hand about the author of the work is written in pencil inside the front cover.
"D.S. Mitchell" signature on front endpaper.

W.R. appears throughout the volume.
"New Zealand War 1863 by W. Race" on handwritten in pencil on paper label on spine.