New book provides link to Thames' Boer rifles

Callaway book signing gives opportunity for public to view rifles

Locals will have their first public opportunity next Wednesday to see the recently re-located collection of 15 Boer War rifles originally gifted to the then Thames Borough Council in 1904.

The rifles will be on display at the signing of a newly released biography of Maori Boer War soldier Walter Callaway, by local author Mike Dwight.

Callaway was a miner on the Coromandel Peninsula in the 1800s and later returned from the Boer War to live in Kuaotunu, before moving to Devonport before his death in 1926 at the age of 52.

He was most likely the first Maori to enlist to fight abroad and among the first Maori to become an officer in the NZ Defence Force.

Members of the New Zealand Defence Force will join national media at the book's invitation-only launch this Saturday at Callaway House, in Kikowhakarere, just north of Coromandel Town.

Chief of Defence Jerry Mateparae said in his foreword to the biography that many Maori have followed in Callaway's footsteps, embodying "many of the traits, such as loyalty, courage and commitment, that New Zealanders still hold dear."

Members of the public will be given the opportunity to talk to the author about Callaway's story and see TCDC's collection of Boer Mauser rifles from 6-8pm on Wednesday 15 December at Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki's Brew Cafe at the Brian Boru, Pollen Street, Thames.