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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The Hon. Colonel William Henry Kenny

The Hon. Colonel William Henry Kenny was called to the Legislative Council of New Zealand on the 26th of March, 1853. He came of a race of soldiers. His father, page 93 Major W. Crowe Kenny, carried one of the colours of the 73rd Regiment at the storming of Seringapatam, and his grandfather, Lieut.-Colonel Kenny, of the 11th Regiment, was mortally wounded while leading the storming party at the siege of Gawlighur, where Sir Arthur Wellesley was in command. He himself, when only sixteen years of age, entered the 73rd Regiment in 1828, and served in Canada during the rebellion. In 1847 he brought the first detachment of New Zealand Fencibles to the colony, and, having succeeded to the command of that force in 1849, he was instrumental, two years later, in averting the threatened invasion of Auckland by the Ngatipoua. For his action on that occasion he received the thanks of Governor Sir George Grey and of the commander of the forces, Colonel Wynyard. During the native troubles of 1860–61 he was in command of the garrison of Auckland, and also occupied the same position for some time in 1863, during which year he sold out his regimental position and became Quartermaster-General to the colonial forces under Major-General Galloway. He was afterwards Colonel of the New Zealand Militia, and Inspector of Volunteers for the North Island. Colonel Kenny was one of those who were summoned by His Excellency the Governor in Her Majesty's name to the first General Assembly of New Zealand in pursuance of the Constitution Act, and when he died at Ponsonby, Auckland, on the 17th of August, 1880, he was the oldest member of the Legislative Council.

Hon. Col. W. H. Kenny.

Hon. Col. W. H. Kenny.