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An oral history interview with Sam Temple, born 1868 in Kihikihi. He tells of his father's activities with the Forest Rangers under Major Jackson and von Tempsky. His father and the Forest Rangers “drove the Maori’s out of Rangiaowhia”, then came back to Te Awamutu, then to Kihikihi. Mr Temple speaks about the movements of the Forest Rangers throughout Waikato. He mentions the battle of Orakau.
There is a lengthy description of the Forest Rangers uniform and arms. He then discusses the number of men in Major Jackson's party and Major von Tempsky's party, and recalls tales of the two Majors. Mr Temple speaks about patrols and reminiscences of the Armed Constabulary. Then the local militia, the “Te Kooti panic”, and lists blockhouses. He speaks about a murder and land dispute at Rotorangi Station.
He then talks about King Tawhiao, and when he first came to Kihikihi with his men when Mr Temple was a schoolboy. He recalls witnessing a haka performed by a large group of men. He then talks about Rewi Maniapoto - his house in Kihikihi, the monument to him, and his tattoos. Then the fight at Pirongia in the 1880s, and more on Te Kooti - including a tale of the rescue of captured surveyors.
Mr Temple then speaks about the history of his revolver, and his house - built from the wood of an old redoubt. There is more on the Armed Constabulary passing through Kihikihi, and their disbandment – most were put into the police. The last part of the interview covers recollections (second-hand) of the death of von Tempsky during a fight against Tītokowaru at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu. Mr Temple talks about Alfred Risdale, a man he worked with, who was with von Tempsky when he was killed. He says von Tempsky was told to take cover from Māori fire, but didn't and a bullet hit him. Mr Temple says Māori people have told him the bodies were burnt after the fighting and the ashes thrown into a river.