CYCLOPEDIA OF NZ 1906

Nelson, Marlborough and Westland



MILITARY

Page 48-49

The military forces of New Zealand consist of a permanent body of artillery and submarine miners, the volunteers, and the militia. The militia consists practically of all male colonists capable of bearing arms in the defence of the country, but this body would be requisitioned only in case of extreme necessity. His Excellency the Governor is Commander-in-Chief; the Right Honourable Richard John Seddon Minister for Defence; and Colonel James Melville Babington, of His Majesty's General Staff (local Major-General), is the Commandant. Captain John Edward Hume commands the permanent force; and Colonel Thomas William Porter, C.B., is the officer in command of the New Zealand militia. Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin is each the headquarters of a military district, and each district is under the command of resident officers. The Nelson military district, which comprises the provinces of Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland, is under the command of Major (temporary Lientenant-Colonel), George Cecil. Burleigh Wolfe, N.Z.M. (late Captain R.L.M.I.). The Adjutant is Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Sydney Vincent Trask, N.Z.M.; and the Principal Medical Officer, Brigade Surgeon Lieut. Colonel Walter Relf Pearless. The forces of the district consist of two field artillery corps, four corps of mounted rifles, twelve infantry (including cycling) companies, one bearer corps, seven cadet corps, and fourteen rifle clubs.
On the outbreak of the first Maori war, in 1845, two companies of militia were formed in Nelson. The staff officers were Adjutant Major Newcome and Quartermaster Henry Seymour. Dr. Greenwood was captain of the No. 1 Company, Dr. Renwick, lieutenant, and Mr. Charles Thorp, ensign. The officers of No. 2 Company were: Dr. Monro, captain, Lieutenant Dillon Bell, and Ensign A. le G. Campbell. Except for attendance at a number of drills, their services were not requisitioned, and on the settlement of the war the companies were disbanded, but one of the members, Mr. John Sharp, senior, still (1905) resides in Nelson.
When war broke out in Taranaki, in 1860, a company of militia was again called out, under the command of Captain B. Walmsley and Lieutenant John Sharp, but was soon abandoned, owing to the formation of volunteer corps. The first volunteer corps in Nelson owed its origin to a meeting which was held in the Wakatu Hotel, on the 16th of February, 1860, at which it was resolved: “That a company of volunteers for military service should at once be formed; to be called the Nelson Company of Volunteers, to consist of seventyfive rank and file.” Messrs W. T. L. Travers, B. Walmsley, D. Walmsley, D. Sinclair, H. E. Curtis, J. Percy, J. Millar, and C. Elliott were appointeded a committee to carry out the purpose of the resolution, and so well did these gentlemen work that, in less than two months, a company was formed, with Mr. Travers as captain; Mr. S. Kingdon, lieutenant; and Mr. H. E. Curtis, ensign. Shortly after the swearing in of No. 1 Company - owing to the strong military ardour aroused in Nelson - a second company was formed, with Mr. N. Edwards as captain; Mr. A. Kerr, lieutenant, and Mr. B. O. Hodgson, ensign. A Volunteer Naval Artillery Company was also organised at the Port, under the command of Captain William Akersten, and Lieutenants Thomas Trewhellar and Frederick Stock. With the advice and assistance of Lieutenant Pocock, R.N., this corps soon became an extremely proficient and useful branch of the service. The public spirit spread to the country districts, and corps were formed at Richmond, Waimea (three companies), Wakefield, Motueka and Moutere. It should, however, be stated that an intense dislike to join the militia was one cause why so many volunteer corps were formed; the men were desirous of learning something about military tactics before being called upon for active service, but they also knew that membership in a volunteer corps exempted them from serving in the militia. After various changes in the regulations, “The Defence Act of 1886” was passed by the Legislature, and the new regulations framed under it made the discipline of the forces stricter, and placed them on a firmer foundation.
In 1868 there were Maori disturbances on both the east and the west coasts of the North Island. They did not particularly concern Nelson, but about fifty volunteers from the district went to help the forces which were employed near Wanganui, in an endeavour to put down Tito Kowarau, the rebel chief. When the Te Whiti scare occurred in October, 1881, nearly 200 volunteers from Nelson responded to the Governor's call for active service at Parihaka; and the Nelson Naval Artillery, H Battery, City Rifles, Stoke Rifles and Waimea Rifles took part in the expedition. Although there was no actual fighting, the forces gained valuable experience in drill, camp work, and rough campaigning. The Nelson volunteers were the first to arrive at Rohotu (where subsequently 1,200 troops assembled from various parts of the colony), and in company with the Thames volunteers, were assigned an important position in the advance upon and investment of Parihaka, when Te Whiti, Tohu, and Hiroki were arrested by the Armed Constabulary. Lient-Col. Pitt, the officer in command of the Nelson contingent, was signalled out for special praise by the Defence Minister, the Hon. John Bryce, who complimented him and the volunteers under his command for the thorough manner in which they had carried out their part of the work.
On their return to Nelson the volunteers received an enthusiastic welcome from the townspeople and the Mayor presented them with an address on behalf of the Council and citizens.
The Volunteer corps of the Nelson district have always held a high position in the defence forces of the colony. In numbers, drill, discipline, and general efficiency, a very high standard is maintained, and at tournaments and military displays the Nelson Volunteers have always been able to hold their own against all competitors.
The New Zealand Rifle Association's meetings have generally drawn a number of competitors from the ranks of the Nelson Volunteers and members of Rifle Clubs; and on six occasions the Champion Belt of the colony has been won by Nelson marksmen.
The Nelson military district has had as its commanders the Hon. Major Richmond, C.B., Captain Baigent, Captain J. T. Marshall, Lieut.-Colonel Pitt, and the present commander, Lieut.-Colonel G. C. B. Wolfe.



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