HUNTER, WILLIAM MAGEE (1834-68) and his brother, Henry BOYLE HUNTER, were born in county Antrim, Ireland. William was trained in the militia in Ireland and at Hythe gunnery school. On coming to New Zealand he was clerk to the Auckland Provincial Council. On the outbreak of war in 1863 he received a commission as captain and adjutant in the 1st Waikato Regiment of militia, in which his brother also served for a while. On the day of the attack on Turuturumokai (12 Jul 1868) von Tempsky, as senior officer, led his division to relieve the post and Hunter, having received no orders, remained to defend the Waihi redoubt with his division of mounted Constabulary. Unjustly accused of failing to come to the rescue of the garrison, he was acquitted by court-martial, but the accusation rankled in his mind.

At the first attack on Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu (21 Aug) he commanded the second division, which formed the rear-guard in the retreat. In the second attack (7 Sep) he requested permission of Colonel McDonnell to storm the position, but was refused and ordered to escort the wounded out of the bush. Von Tempsky was one of the five officers killed and Lieutenant Henry Hunter, of the Wellington rifles, met his death while heedlessly exposing himself to observe the enemy movements.

Major Hunter was killed in the reverse at Moturoa (7 Nov). With 50 men of the Armed Constabulary he advanced across the open front of the position under heavy fire and led his men round the stockade searching for a weak spot. He was severely wounded, and though Whitmore tried to staunch the bleeding, died almost immediately. Hunter had begged permission the previous night to lead the assault.

Cowan; Whitmore; Gudgeon (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 228

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