LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 8, Issue 586, 18 March 1865, Page 3

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

[From the " Southern Crosß," March 14.] The yacht Midnight arrived last night from Tauranga, aud we are thereby in possession of later news from the East Coast, and further facts in connection with the Opotiki murder. H. M. S. Eclipse, with Bishop Selwyn on board, arrived at Tauranga on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., and anchored outside the harbour. The Bishop and Commander Fremantle landed and proceeded to Te Papa, and after a lengthened interview with Colonel Greer, returned to the Eclipse, which at once steamed in the direction of the East Cape. Her intended destination was of course kept a secret, but from the direction she took it was presumed that she would at once proceed to Poverty Bay to warn Bishop Williams. „ Colonel Greßr had taken no action whatever for the rescue of the captives, being advised, it is said, by Archdeacon

Brown, that it would be perfectly useless to send any troops after the fanatics from the impenetrable nature of the country beyond Opotiki. The fanatics, it is said, had amongst their captives two soldiers, deserters, who were compelled to keep guard over the head of Mr. Yolkner and another victim, and were subjected to great cruelty. The first report was that the fanatics intended to take Mr. Grace and the other captives to Taranaki, but information was afterwards received that they threatened to kill them on Wednesday or Thursday last. After this they were to proceed to Poverty Bay, and, as before stated, take the life of Bishop Williams. The reason they gave for this intended atrocity was as ridiculous as it is painful to relate, viz., that one of their Pai Marire priests had heard the head of Mr. Volkner speak, aud that it said if the head of Bishop Williams was taken there would be peace in the country, and the natives would again become dominant in New Zealand. By the Midnight we also learn that positive information was received at Tauranga that the fanatics had seized the schooner Eclipse, and after having made captives of the whole of the crew and passengers, including the captain, who was previously said to have been released, had burnt the vessel. Immediately the painful intelligence was received at Tauranga, Mr. Chamberline, the owner of the yacht Midnight, very promptly offered to place his vessel at the disposal of Colonel Greer, that she might proceed to Poverfcy Bay, and warn Bishop Williams and the settlers there of their impending danger ; but on Wednesday evening, when the Midnight was to have sailed, the weather looked threatening, followed by a heavy N.E. gale, which blew for sixty hours, owing to which she was detained. On the arrival of H.M.S. Eclipse, her services of course were not required, and she came on to Auckland. A great number of the Opotiki natives had joined the Pai Marire faith, and it was believed that the fanatics would make many converts on their way down the coast. The remainder of the intelligence received by the Midnight confirms what has been published already. There was, of course, intense excitement at Tauranga in reference to the murder, and great fears were entertained for the safety of the unhappy prisoners.

The Southern Cross of the 9tb, in noticing the missionary career of the deceased gentleman, thus writes of Mrs. Volkner : — " Mr. Volkuer and his wife were resident there when the war broke out on the East Coast, and, for the safety of Mrs. Volkner, he removed her to Aucklaud and faithfully continued his administrations in solitude. At Tauranga he preached to the natives in their chapel, to the troops in camp, and when the former gave iv their submission he was consulted by some of them with regard to a wish I they had expressed to emigrate to Rorotonga. The deceased was married in 1854, to Emma Lanfear, sister to the Rev. Thomas Lanfear, and had no family. Mrs. Volkner has been residing at St. John's College since she left the mission station at Opotiki, and would have returned there with her husband, who was desirous that she should accompany him, were it not that his friends strongly advised him against it. The same journal of the 13th says : — " To-day the Lady Bird will leave, taking with her the Rev. Samuel Williams, who is to land at Hicks' Bay, and it is to be hoped that the energy that is sure to be displayed by Bishop Selwyn and this gentleman will be productive of good results in rescuing the captives and preventing further loss of life. At St. Paul's Church yesterday evening, Bishop Patteson feelingly alluded to the murder of Mr. Volkner, and, in the evening, prayers were offered for the safety of the Rev. Mr. Grace, and the other prisoners in the hands of the Pai Marire fanatics, and for all whose lives have been threatened."