MALING, CHRISTOPHER (1843-1917) was born at Nelson a few months after the death at the Wairau of his father, Thomas Awdas Maling (a son of William Maling, of Kidside, Westmoreland), who was chief constable at Nelson. Maling served in the wars against Te Kooti, showing great skill as a scout. In the final pursuit of Titokowaru, Whitmore formed a small corps of guides in charge of Lingard (q.v.). When Lingard was invalided a few weeks later, Maling was put in command, with the rank of sergeant. He rendered most efficient service throughout. With two men he carried out a dangerous reconnaissance of two days and two nights to ascertain the direction taken by Titokowaru after his departure from Turangaika (Feb 1869). On 7 May he had a narrow escape when his scouts fell into an ambush near Manawa-iwi, near Ngaputahi. Maling carefully reconnoitred the enemy's position before the final fight at Porere (Oct 1869), and afterwards did good service at Tapapa and carrying despatches from Fraser at Tauranga to McDonnell at Taupo. He received the New Zealand Cross for his services, which continued until Jun 1870, when the Europeans were withdrawn from the operations against Te Kooti. Three out of the nine members of the corps were killed and four wounded. Maling was afterwards given a captain's commission in the militia. The book by Hamilton Browne, With the Lost Legion in New Zealand, appears to be based upon a diary kept by Maling throughout these operations.

Maling was afterwards employed in the Lands and Survey department and the Post and Telegraph department. He had an official position for a while in Japan, and spent his last years in England, where he died in Feb 1917.

N.Z. Army records; Cowan; Gudgeon; Nelson Evening Mail, 16 Feb 1877.

Reference: Volume 2, page 27

🌳 Further sources