Page:Tales-of-Banks-Peninsula Jacobson 2ed 1893 cropped.pdf/84

Jack and the other Natives, particulars of which I have already recorded.

Hempleman lived in Peraki for many years, but afterwards removed to German Bay. The last few years of his life were spent in the hospital, this matter having been arranged by the Government for his greater comfort. Whilst there he met with an accident, which was undoubtedly the primary cause of his death, for his iron frame would otherwise have probably enabled him to continue his conflict with the Government up to the present time. It appears that a fellow resident at the hospital named McGregor, in a fit of insanity, seized hold of old Hempleman, pulled him out of bed, and threw him on the fender, giving him a very severe shaking, and inflicting other severe injuries. From this time Hempleman never fully recovered, the last days of his life being occupied in preparing his case, which the Government had arranged should be heard before the Middle Island Native Land Purchases Royal Commission, consisting of Messrs T. H. Smith and F. E, Nairn, who were to hold their sitting early in March. Mr. Izard was to have appeared for Hempleman, but it was destined that before the Court sat he should have passed away. On Friday, February 13, when visiting his old friend M. Malmanche at his orchard, he suddenly fell and expired whilst eating a peach.

Hempleman was a remarkable looking man. Firm determination was expressed in every lineament, from his prominent nose to his iron chin. His frame was a fitting adjunct to such a head, being large, square, and bony, showing a great power of endurance. He was well known all over the provincial district, and was very genial, being very fond of company, and never tired of repeating his stories of byegone days. He was very exact in these narrations, seldom varying in any important point.