The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-10-28
|. VON TEMPSKY'S
FAMOUS FATHER
The Elder Man Was Known as
the Hero of New
Zealand.

New Zealand, appears in recent issue
of the Auckland News. Major Won
Tempskv was the father of Louis Won
Tempsky of Maui, who considers TINS
the most accurate account Of his
father 5 last fight and death that has
appeared in print. The account IS that
Of an eyewitness. and is as follows:
The fortieth anniversary of the bat
tie of TIE Ngutu-o-te Manu- has recalled
the death of that noble soldier, MAJOR
Won Tempsky. and yet, SO incomplete
are New Zealand 5 accounts of its own
wars. there have been raised numerous
questions as to what actually happen
ed at that memorable fight, and the
eommonlv-aceepted version attributes
the disaster as being due to the
majors impetuosity There are three
men in Auckland today who were eye
witnesses of Major Won Tempsky s last
stand. and Weekly News representa-
tive was fortunate enough to find one,
Mr.. James Shanaghan, of the Labor
Department, who was with the major
to the last
- have read he said, "the ac-
counts of the unfortunate engagement
at re Ngutu-o-te Manu-, called forth by
the anniversary, with decidedly mixed
feelings; feelings of sorrow for the
fate of that brave and ehIvaIrOus sol
der. Major Won Tempskv, who was so
cruelty sacrificed through, the blunder-
ing incapacity, If not worse, of his
superior officer, and feelings Of lndIg-
nation TO think that our history mas
so utterly failed to record that fight
that. at this late date, statements are
made to cloud the memory Of Won
Tempskv by the suggestion that the
disastrous defeat of cur arms ar lie
Ngutu-o-te- Manu- was due TO his impnl-
Siveness. BIZ which the plans Of the
commanding officer were frustrated and
defeat happened How little Is actual
" known of that terrible disaster IS
shown by the statements / have re-
ferred TO- l have very good cause to
remember TIE Raururu or TIE Ngutu-o-
te- Manu-. | was anxious TO go. and
pad the penalty. (Here Mr.. Shan.,'
CHAN indicated the stump OF what was
once his left thumb.l We lett " ann
camp very early on the morning OF
Monday, September :. 1868, and after
long circuitous march through the
bush, we halted in the rear of the pa.
ihe Wanganui natives, known as the
Kupapas, were in advance, and we soon
became aware that we were close to
the enemy by the excitement OF the
natives. Some few were sent ahead
to scout. and the others prepared for
action BY putting on white sashes.
Presently the scouts opened fire on an
old Maori and two boys, who were
found in a tent some distance in the
rear of the pa. OF course, the game
was up, and our position was disclosed
TO the enemy. Then trouble arose with
the Kupapas, and they refused to ad-
vance. We were then ordered TO ad-
vance, and we fled on past the ma
tives toward the pa. Major Won Temp
skv was at our head. We crossed a
creek and cilme almost to the pa be-
fore we knew it. because there had
not been single shot fired from elthei
side after the alarm had been given
bv the scouts When we got into the
small clearing and Immediately in
front of the masked pa, we were sa-
luted by a whitening FIRE, and Lieu
tenant Rohan and several others We're
hit. We then opened fire, and though
we could not see the natives, we had
reason to believe. from their yells, that
our fire was having some effect. and
We were just warming up to our work
when the commanding officer s bugieF
sounded the order, Cease firing
ssThen it was that the blunder came,
With it's awful effect. We. though CO.
Ionials. were disciplined men. We
ceased firing as directed, and so al
lowed the enemy TO get into position,
and shoot us down ike sheep. We
were powerless TO defend ourselves,
because of our orders. Our command
inc officer. Colonel Mcdonnell, was
completely unnamed. and / stood by
when Major Won Tempsky and Major
Hunter pleaded with him to let them
charge. / viii never forget the scene.
The colonel was reclining on the
ground, resting on his elbow, and the
two brave officers were standing In
front of him, pleading TO be allowed
| to charge the pa.
.sMajor Won Tempsky said: I will
charge with my own company. Things
car not be much worse. See how the
men are being shot down. MAJOR
| Hunter said: And l VIII go with
YOU The colonel then replied: = can
not. I do not know where we are.
He then jumped up and said: Come
along. Hunter, and they moved off to
the left. leaving poor MAJOR Won Temp
| sky to carry cut the policy Of mastery
inactivity imposed on him by hi:
chief. and for this IS his memory To
be clouded with the charge Of frus
trating his coIoneI's plans b. his i'm
nulsiveness. Well. the colonel had
gone. and with him the bulk Of the
men. including. I regret to say, severa
of our own company. The Maori:
were keeping up brisk fire from tht
! IA. and there were many men lying
about. dead and wounded. Our brave
old major was walking to and fro will
his sword in hand, furious at being
eaced as he was. ! met him and b.
smoke IL me IN his kindly thoughtful
wav. and asked why / did not taxi
cover. answered by putting the same
question to ham. He then said / an
| disgusted. If 1 get cut Of this serap'
I win wash my hands clear of this bust
! ness. He then sent me to take up
position and keep my eyes open, as tn
bullets were coming thick. ] left hin
/ 1rIav La aver GA Et