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Archiver > NEW-ZEALAND > 1999-10 > 0940681002


From: Kelvin McMichael <>
Subject: Re: Update to OurStuff
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 01:16:42 +1300


>X-Message: #17
>Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 17:19:22 +1300
>From: "Min Walker" <>
>To:
>Message-ID: <004601bf1d0d$c99aa9c0$>
>Subject: Re: Update to OurStuff
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>My husbands great uncle was killed in the NZ Wars 1860 - 1870, he was
>Constable Alexander ELKIN died 7th. Sept 1868.
>His family farmed at Oakura and Koru Town - where his sister Sarah Elkin was
>a teacher.
>Another sister Mary Ann Elkin married Clarence Rennell a prominent citizen
>in New Plymouth at that time.
>
>Could S.K.S>. please advise me on how to get more information on Alexander.
>Thanks in advance.
>Min Walker
>


Min,

Constable Alexander ELKIN was in No. 2 Division of the Armed Constabulary
when he was killed at the Battle of Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu out of Hawera on 7
September 1868.

This famous battle (largely because the Europeans were outfought by the
Maoris and Von Tempsky was killed there) is described in, for example,
Chapter 23 of "The New Zealand Wars and the pioneering period" Volume 2 by
James Cowan; Chapter 7 of "I Shall Not Die: Titokowaru's War" by James
Belich; Chapter 12 of "The New Zealand Wars" by James Belich; Chapter 25 of
"Forest Rangers" by Richard Stowers, and so on.

National Archives holds registers of service in the Armed Constabulary,
1867-86, which give personal details as well as details of enrolment and
service. These registers are available on microfilm in the Library or the
Armoury at the Auckland Museum. The personal details given in them are not
necessarily accurate, in my experience (one of my great great grandfathers
was in the A.C, though the nearest he got to Taranaki was Waikaremoana,
where he was occupied in chasing Te Kooti in the late 1860s. Another
relative, James Livingston, fought as a volunteer at Te Ngutu o te Manu,
though.).

I guess Constable Elkin's name is on the memorial at the battle site?

Have you asked the Taranaki Museum if they have anything on the battle and
those who took part in it?

Good luck,



Kelvin McMichael

Auckland,
New Zealand.

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