Hutt Valley members of the Wellington District Militia 1860

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Hutt Valley Biographical Index and Genealogies website www.hbig.gen.nz Penalty for non attendance at the proper time, absence or desertion, any sum not exceeding £20. Notice in writing to be given to every person called to actual service or left at his last place of abode. If he does not appear and march in pursuance of such notice, he is liable to be apprehended as a deserter and treated in pursuance of the Articles of War: and in all such cases of whatsoever the said Articles, the Mutiny Act &c. are to apply. In the event of being disabled, a pension similar to that allowed to the Queen’s troops will be granted. The following is the oath, to be taken by every Militia-man under a penalty not exceeding £20. “I A.B. do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and I will faithfully serve in the Militia until I shall be lawfully discharged.” If any Militiaman pawn, sell or lose any portions of his equipment, or neglect to return them, or if any person wilfully buy or conceal them he shall pay a sum not exceeding £10. A Militia List is to be made up every March, - the one for the previous year remaining in force until the new one is completed. The Act also provides for the encouragement of Volunteers into the Military and Naval Services of the Colony. The Governor may make regulations for their enrolment, which shall have the same force as if they were part of the Act. As there is a great desire to know whether volunteers are liable to serve in the Militia, we quote the precise words of the Act on this point:= “Provided always that whenever the whole of the Militia of any district is drawn out for actual service, the Volunteers in such district shall always be liable to serve, either as a body, or such of them as are on the Militia Roll as part of the Regular Militia; and that whenever a part or certain number only of the Militia of any district is chosen by ballot for Actual Service, any Volunteers being on the Militia Roll shall be liable to such ballot, and if chosen, to serve accordingly, unless they shall be or shall consent to go, if required on Actual Service as Volunteers. Wellington Independent 13 Mar 1860 Major Trafford, the officer commanding the Wellington Militia, has received instructions to take such steps as he may deem advisable for the protection of Wellington. Fortunately Major Trafford is in town, and has, we understand, taken the prelimary steps for the embodiment of two companies of Militia. The Wellington Militia District comprises the country within a radius of 20 miles from the police office. The following are the Militia Staff:- Major Trafford, Commanding Officer; Captain Kirwan, Adjutant; Color-Sergeant Callaghan, Serjeant-Major; Sergeant McDonough, Sergeant; Sergeant Brakin, to be Corporal; Hugh Curry, to be Bugler and Drummer; Major Trafford takes charge of the equipments to-day. The Militia will be balloted for as quickly as possible. Postscript A Provincial Government Gazette has just been issued containing the following notice calling out the Militia, for Friday next. Notice: In accordance with directions received from His Excellency the Governor, I hereby give notice that the Militia of the district of Wellington will be forthwith drawn out for actual service, and all persons liable to serve are requested to attend at the Lower Mount Cook Barracks, on Friday next, the 16 th day of March, instant, at 12 o’clock noon. W. Rawson Trafford, Major Commanding Wellington Militia. We understand that the list of persons liable to serve, can be seen at the Residenct Magistrate’s Court House, and that on assembling next Friday, a ballot will be at once taken for such number of persons as may be required for actual service. The following gentlemen received HBIG SUB Militia 1860 Last updated 19 June 2013 Page 2 of 11
Hutt Valley Biographical Index and Genealogies website www.hbig.gen.nz their Commissions from His Excellency, on Sunday last, by the special courier. Major Commanding – Major Trafford, late 65 th Regiment. Adjutant – Captain Kirwan, late 74 th Regiment. Captains – Mr W. M. Bannatyne, Sir Charles Clifford and Mr James Coutts Crawford. Lieutenants – Mr John Bethune, Mr R. Park, Mr John Varnham. Ensigns – Mr S. E. Grimstone, Mr Halcombe, Mr Alfred Hickson. Wellington Independent 16 Mar 1860 Departure of the Troops Last evening the whole of the troops garrisoned at Wellington, embarked on board the ‘Airedale’ for Taranaki, having been in readiness since Sunday, waiting the arrival of a steamer. As they marched down to Rhodes’ Wharf, the sound of fife and drum attracted the remnant of the population who had not “gone to the races.” Hearty cheers saluted the soldiers as they pushed off, and they were privileged to “smell powder,” expended by some of the shipping on their way to the steamer. Wellington cheerfully parts with the few troops she has, and believes they will be found of as much service as any that may muster at the Waitara. We are glad in being able thus far to help our fellow colonists of Taranaki, and hope that when the collision does take place it will be “sharp and short,” and that the Wellington contingent may return to us with a large addition to its laurels. In the meanwhile the Militia, which will be drawn to-day, will willingly do whatever barrack duty may be deemed necessary, and should any fears arise for the safety of this district, it will be found equal to all that can reasonably be expected from it. We have no belief that any such fears will arise, but as prevention is better than cure, we shall deem the General Government wanting in its duty to this large population if it does not replace the troops that have left at the earliest opportunity that arises, consistent with the full accomplishment of the objects they have gone to attain. Wellington Independent 20 Mar 1860 … Of the friendly disposition of the natives in our immediate neighbourhood we have every reason to be assured. They express some surprise at the present movement of enrolling a militia, as though it implied a suspicion of their intentions. While such measures on our part are but a duty, it would be well that we should avoid all unnecessary demonstration. It is far better to be calm than to be excited: to be quiet than to be alarmed; to show confidence than to exhibit fear. Let not the natives imagine that we suspect them or are afraid of them. They are not treacherous, as many imagine, and we are not likely to be surprised by any aggression on their part. We fear more from the needless apprehensions of the timid and the ill-judged braggadocio of the reckless, than from any mischievous movement among the natives themselves. We are informed by a gentleman who understands their language and their customs well, that one of the chiefs from the Hutt, suggested to him the other day that should the people of Wellington hold any meetings in reference to the state of affairs at Taranaki, he and other natives would like to meet with them, and by hearing what passed and giving their opinions prevent mutual suspicion and distrust… HBIG SUB Militia 1860 Last updated 19 June 2013 Page 3 of 11
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Hutt Valley members of the Wellington District Militia 1860

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