RUSSELL. THE LATE NATIVE ENGAGEMENT. FURTHER HOSTILITIES IMMINENT.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3123, 20 July 1867, Page 4

RUSSELL. THE LATE NATIVE ENGAGEMENT. FURTHER HOSTILITIES IMMINENT.

(FJW1C OTJB OWN COBBESPOHDENT.) July 18. I BBOKM to have i? announce the death of the Ven. Arohdeaoon Williams, which occurred athisresidenoe at Pakaraka, on Tuesda v evening. 1 he Archdeacon was one of the earliest to this colony, haying come here about IS*" 1 - Hw hf^ nM been a more than commonly «se/ ul one ' and the entrgyand consistency of his cbJU ™ter gained him very gnat influence both with E«ropeO DS au , d M » or » J and though latterly the infirmities of a^? 11 *' 6 oom ' , pelled him to take a less active share in tlu' e c °ncerns I of his dutriot, he will be very greatly nois**. 1 * 1 ; -f" . a proof of the respect which was entertained tC r " m by the Maoris, 1 may mention that upon hearing ot bit death — which was rather sudden— the belligerww s at Waimate suspended hostilities until after bin funeral, which is to take place this afternoon. ' To«morrow, I suppose, fightiug will be resumed, as. they are not yet agreed, and all efforts have been unavailing to bring about a peaceful arrangement of their difficulty. It is very much to be regretted that this quarrel should have occurred among Maoris who hitherto bare been so quiet and well-behaved— as, besides the immediate loss of life, there is always so muob suffering and demoralization from the neg> ltot of cultivation and consequent poverty ; and* when fighting once begins, one is i?ever sure where it will end; JFdo not imagine that Europeans have any reason to apprehend danger to themselves,' but it ia not pleasant to have fighting in your district. 1 When f wrote last, 1 had but just heard the news,, and the vessel was on the point of sailing. I was un» able to «eiid the list of casualties, which I now subjoin :— Killed, on Piripi Korongohi's side, Kenata Kawana (a man of some note), Hone Patau ; and two wounded. On Wi Katene's side, To Mauru, Piripi Maioha, and Tainui. These three were all shot by Ruatara (a brother-in-law of Marsh Brown), who formed a rifle pit for himself apart from the others, and pioked out hia men. Both parties have been strongly reinforced within the last few days, but hare not since had an engagement. Mr. Williams, E.M., hat made most strenuous efforts to induce them to give up fighting, but in vain. i Since! last wrote, the steamer 'Midge' ha9 arrived, and is, I hear, to be put on as a regular trader. She returned from Mongouui last night, and sails for Auckland to-day, where she is to stay a fortnight for 'alterations, whfch will make her more fit for carrying stook, I hope she will B»eet with due encouragement