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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 8 (December 1, 1933)

Mountain Campaigns

Mountain Campaigns.

That was only one of many battlefields which won Mair his Major's commission and his reputation as the ideal commander of the Maori allies, so often difficult to handle. He was al- page 19 most constantly in the field from that time up to the end of the campaigns against Kereopa and Te Kooti. He was tireless in the field, dashing where swift action was required, cautious when occasion demanded it, and always giving his men the example of perfect fearlessness. He fought in the first invasion of the Urewera Country, in 1869, and on the return of Whitmore's forces from Ruatahuna to Fort Galatea, on the Rangitaiki, he was detailed to carry out the wounded, by way of that awful bit of wild country, the Horomanga Gorge. He himself was the last of the rearguard, keeping off the pursuers with his carbine. He was in scores of skirmishes, but as he was so often his own commanding officer, with none to recommend him for honours, he did not receive the New Zealand Cross, to which he was undoubtedly entitled. All his active life, in peace as in war, he was the same unassuming character, carrying out his duty regardless of praise or blame.