February 12th, 1873, Armed Constabulary Depot, Mount Cook. 1030 hours.

The Armed Constabulary depot, built on the lower slopes of Mount Cook, was a sprawling compound surrounded by over three quarters of a mile of wooden stockades. The depot, which was also the headquarters of the Armed Constabulary for New Zealand, was staffed by a variety of senior officers, administrators, veteran constables and recruits. Recent unrest in the central North Island stirred by a ...