Major Heaphy, V. C.

Heaphy entered survey work in the Auckland district in after years, and it was when he was serving as Captain in the Auckland Rifle Volunteers in the Waikato War that he performed the deed of bravery for which he was awarded the first Victoria Cross won by a colonial officer. This was in a skirmish at Waiari, on the Mangapiko River (a tributary of the Waipa) in the early part of 1864. A British soldier was wounded and was lying helpless, exposed to the Maori fire, when Heaphy ran to his assistance and carried him into a safe spot, and afterwards attended to other wounded men. He did useful service as military surveyor in the war and was promoted to the rank of Major. Heaphy was a gifted man, a clever artist, and many of his drawings of Maori life, fortifications, war episodes and scenery are preserved. He was a pioneer of a very fine type, associated with the development of the country from the foundation of British settlement, and particularly with the opening up of the interior of Nelson province.