An Unfortunate Death

The stoic military figure pictured in this mid-nineteenth century carte-de-visite, or calling card, did not die on the battlefields of the Taranaki Wars like so many of his comrades. The story behind his death is one of a most unfortunate kind.

John Rigby, member of the New Zealand Armed Constabulary stationed at Whitecliffs, was last seen at the military camp at Pukearuhe at 8am on 30 March 1883. He and two other soldiers volunteered to lead a group of horses to Mōkau, around the point, when suddenly the men experienced a great deal of trouble controlling the horses. The inquest into Rigby's death reported that the horse he was riding became spooked and unexpectedly ran out into the sea, eventually reaching a point beyond return. The other men were watching from the cliff as Rigby tried to lead the horse back to shore when the animal reared, hitting Rigby near his right eye, knocking him unconscious and causing him to drown.

Following Rigby's death, the point became known as 'Rigby Point'. A cautionary tale, Rigby's story exemplifies some of the behind-the-scenes dangers of warfare.