DEATH OF JOHN WILLIAMS HIPANGO.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2401, 31 March 1865, Page 7

DEATH OF JOHN WILLIAMS HIPANGO.

(F.ROM THE " WANGANUI CHRONICLE," FEBRTURTf. 25.) This morning, about eight o'clock, this chief expired in the Colonial Hospital. On. Thvusday he was shot iv. fho ri^ht bi east 'while tnkiug up the most advanced position befoie Olioutahi, the enemy's pa. He did not fall, but walked calmly away, and then his followers immediately brought him down to Putiki, where ho arrived at 3 a.m. yesterday, and was afterwards taken to the hospital. At first it was thought the wound was not iqoilp.l, aud that it was made by a spent ball which had not penetrated the libs; but on further examination it pioved otherwise, and he lingered in great agony till this morning. In the death of this chief the settlement has experienced a very seveie loss, and the natives an irieparable one. From the foundation of this place he has been the firm supporter o£ the pakeha. In the commencement of the war of 1846, at great personal risk, ho arrested the murderers of the Gilullan family ; and iv the piescnt troublous time he has lendeied himself conspicuous alike by his skill in the council and his daring in the field. In 1855 he had the honour of a private presentation to her Majesty. We understand that the fuueral will lca,vp his house at Putiti next Monday at 3 p.m., when the authonties, mijljtaiy and civil, as well as other numerous friends, will doubtless wish to pay the last token of respect to his lemaius.

The following is fiomthe Wanganui Ohronicli of the 4th inst. : — A^RJYAL OP THE VICTORS AT PUTIKI. On Tuesday, the 28th ultimo, about 150 of our natives returned, with Mawai at their head. Their oauoes weio decked with eveigieens, aud as they approached and passed the town they gave vent to their feelings of triumph in some of their chants, which have a pleasant effect on the listeners although not very ihusioal according to European ideas. The townspeople ashore replied by loud cheeis. On reaching Putiki they marched iv procession past Hoani Wit emu's grave, saluting it with a general volley. They then went to his house and fired* another salute, and on approaching the front of the house, which was festooned with evergreens, commenced a giand 'tangj 1 -- before the sister and children of Hoani, who were arranged in the veraudab. After this was concluded speeches were made. It appeals that Mawai left Ilihuharama befoie tbeiosb of our natives on account of his differing from them as to the way they Bhould proceed aftev thetakiug of Ohoutahi. 'He thought they should keep all the chiefs as prisoners, and proqeed at once to Pipoiiki and take possession of it. Hori liingi, his elder brother, with gieat moderation, refused to take all the glory which would thus have been gained by his tribe, and thinking that he might lay the foundation of a firm peace without tho degradation of the chiefs, was content with obtaining their promise to comei'to town, take the oath of allegiance, aud give up for ever the King movement aud the hau-hau fanaticism. In proof of their sincevity and good faith they_ gavo up the wife of 1 Pehi and those of seven other chiefs as hostages. These were brought down to Aromoho on Wednesday, together with a quantity of anfisj|guns, patu, paraoa, and grand.matii^Moh were^gipn*iip by tho conquer^ t^Ofy l

" Gob save the Queen." The troop? presented arms j the fine band of the 18th played "God save the Queeft"; and Pakeha and Maoii showed their loyalty by three loud cheeis. Me^e Kmgi aud the other chiefs marched slowly lonnd the open space with the flag. This terminated tho proceedings, with the exception of the feast provided for the Maoris, theie being £30 woith of currant loaves, buns, aud cakes, and ginger rffld malt beer bought for the occasion by the inhabitants; and yet there was not enpugh, The f|ag i& a very beautiful one, made of &ilk, with the Union Jack iv the upper corner, and in the middle a gilfc crown, below which is a device of two hands clasped (pakeha and maoii), aud underneath the word Moutoa in a soraiciicle, ftom each c.nd of which springs a AVieath of lam el leases, It is intended now to ms.cijbe the words Ohoutahi aud Wangauui on either side of the ciown. Tho sum of £33 was subscribed by the ladies of this neighbourhood for the widows aud orphans, nnd for tho flag. The materials for the flag cosb above £20, leaving the remainder for the other object. The subscubeis are greatly indebted to Mis. Logan, who not only suggested and supei intended the whole, but devoted five months of her spaie timo to the needlowoik of the flftff. i

THE CAPTURE 01? OHOUTAHI. The following is the translation of the despatch received from the Maoris by Major Dime, describing this affair:— "To Major Durie, Mr. Watfc, Mr. Waters, and all the European, gentlemen, — On the 24th of this month General Mete Kingi gave orders tQ the soldiers to commence the fight, and the chiefs Kawana Paipai, Katene, Knihi, Aperaniko, Toma, aad Paora got up and consented to give battle. These were the chiefs that assaulted two pahs, and took them, and killed three, uamely, Heremia, Heta, and another, name not known." The chief that was slain was Te Ta\vhero, son of Topine To Mamukn. The 400 all then' 'got"' up to fight in that one hour, and the enei»y took' flight into the bush, and the airvivors roraained'in the large pah, < which we suriounded. Peln's wife camo out with a white flag, and the firing of the soldiers was put a stop to ; when $\ey oatne over to us, namely, Pehi, Topfa, Tahana. Do you write to the Geueval, 1 and convey this intelligence to CMonel Logan. Prom your friends j , from Hori I^ingi, Meto Isngi,*A'periHuko, Hftimona, and