WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 175, 20 May 1864, Page 3

WANGANUI.

79 f Fro cm tlio Wanganui Chronicle, May II

Ox Saturday vve -informed our readers of the opinion of the Magistrates regarding the native reports that had been communicated to them on that day. Since then, occasion of fresh excitement has arisen. At a late hour on Saturday night Mr. White, the late native Resident Magistrate, received from his assessors at Putiki intelligence that they had just received a letter from the son of the late Ilori Patene,. jn which they were desired to leave Putiki and come up the river, as it was intended that Wanganui should he attacked on Sunday or Monday, and if they remained thev would as well as the Kuropeans. Mr. White communicated this intelligence to Cel. Logan, who immediately sent a letter to Major Durie’ Resident Magistrate, with Mr. White’s note enclosed, giving it as his opinion that sueli a warning should not be slighted, and asking him to summon the Magistrates to a meeting to be held at 10 am. These gentlemen having heard what had taken place, gave Colonel Logan authority to take what measures he might think proper for the protection of the settlement, and a special messenauthority from Dr. Featherston, the Governor’s Deputy, to call out the Militia for actualservice. In the course of the forenoon the following announcement was printed and posted in the town and neighborhood :

“Garrison Office, Bth May,'lß6l. The Officer commanding Militia and Volunteers will be good enough to take immediate.steps for the assembly of as many mounted and dismounted volunteers from the milititia and volunteer force under his command as possible, for such purposes as the officer commanding may require in the protection of the town, reporting to this officer the probable numbers. [Signed] J. G. Cummixg, Ensign Garrison Adjutant.

Militia and Volunteer Office, Wanganui, Bth May, 1861. In compliance with the above order," Volunteers from the volunteer troop and companies, and the three classes of militia of No. 1 Sub-district will assemble for actual service with the least possible delay, in front of the Militia Office, Wanganui, there to await farther instructions. I3y Order, A. Ross.” In consequence of this notice about 90 militiamen and volunteers convened at the Militia office at 4 p.m., and were there addressed shortly by Col. Logan, who expressed his satisfaction at so many having assembled on such short notice, said that he would treat them as his own men, for indeed he considered them as such, reminded them of the gallant conduct of the Taranaki volunteers, and expiessed his conviction that the Wanganui volunteers, if called into the field, would acquit themselves iw an equally honorable manner. Forty were then told off for night duty, having, to avoid delay, soldiers’great coats given ihem; and marched to their respective posts accompanied by an equal number of soldiers. The town and suburbs were surrounded by those patrols, which extended as far as Aramoho up the river, while a detachment of Soldiers under Capt. Sir Robert Douglas occupied the block-house at the Heads.

On Sunday forenoon, messengers were despatched to the out-settlers to inform them of the state of affairs, so that they might be on their guard ; and, in consequence, on Sunday afternoon and night most of the families came 'into town, some on foot as late as two o’clock in the morning, and others came in early on Monday morning. M e believe all the settlors out towards Waitetara, with one exception ; while there was only one family left in the Mataraua Valley, and another on the No, 2 line, so general was the alarm occasioned by this letter from Hore Palene the younger. On Monday morning more certain intelligence was obtained regarding the magnitude and imminence of the danger. It was learned that the supposed attacking party did not exceed forty or fifty in number, composed of about 30 Ngatirunnuis and a few Wanganuis whom they had prevailed on to join them, and that they were still at Pipcriki, sixty miles distant. These’ N’gatirnnnuis are the fanatics who have adopted the new superstition, by which Christianity is objured, devilworship established, their old barbarous customs reverted to, some of the most abominable practices of the Mormonites introduced, inveterate hostility to all white men fostered, and (he angel Gabriel constituted their guardian and guide. Deluded and inflamed themselves by such ideas, they try to make proselytes, and although in respect to the "Wanganui tribes they do not seem to be very successful, yet the superstition lias won its way even among the natives resident in Wanganui. These few natives it is, who, having brought Capt. Lloyd's head to Piperiki or its neighborhood have there preached a crusade against this settlement. On Monday morning Mr. White sent up about 30 Government natives with two assessors of some influ-ence—Apcre-niko and Haimona—to stop the band of marauders, and yesterday he sent two influential men —Hemi and Nieto Kingi—for the same purpose. A letter was received from Pehi, statin" that he still wished that there should be peace here, and that he would use his influence to prevent the descent of the war-party, but that he might not succeed as his influence was on the wane with the younger men. At the same time it was ascertained that the river was blockaded by the government natives in three different places, at each of which the passage of the war party would be disputed : and yesterday morning a second letter was received from Pehi, intimating (hat he would join the Government natives with what men he can muster. These peaceable sums re-assured the out-settlers, atid yesterday some of them returned to their homes.

Meanwhile, orders were given that no natives should be allowed to enter the town from the north, or to remain in it after sundown. Two men were taken on Monday on the Waitotara road, one of whom was in the employment of Mr. White, and was liberated, the other being committed to custody on suspicion. In the evening, about 9 p.m., fourteen natives, encamped as usual on the beach, they were taken and lodged in gaol.

The reports, up to that time current on native authority, received coufirmation last night on the arrival trom Pipenki of Mr. Booth, catechist there., who with his relatives had barely escaped with their lives, and arrived here about 8 p.m. in a jhalf famished condition. In consequence of the information furnished by Mr. Booth. Lieut. Col. Logan this morning called out the Militia in No. T Sub-district, that is in the town and its vicinity, for actual service, and they paraded at 10 a in. in the Market-place to the number of 200. The Company of Victoria Rifles was appointed to act as guard in the stockade to-ntght, and the Militia paraded again for drill in the afternoon, and have instructions to do so three times a day. The Cavalry Volunteers were also sent out this morning at I- o’clock to warn those outsettlers that had returned home yesterday. One half went up the river, and the other out toward Kaiiwi; and all the settlers’ families in these districts are now in town.

Mr. Booth had been in town with his family purchasing clothing and other supplies for the winter, and left this for Pioeriki on Thursday last. As he ascended the river he was advised by friendly natives not to proceed further; but on his saying that he must go for his brother and family, they answered “Well, go.” On Saturday, on his arrival, he was greeted with the dog-barking or yelping sounds with which the natives now express hostility, and was forbidden to land. He crossed the river in order to go for his brother and family who have a farm in the neighbourhood, and left his own family by the river side with the canoe. On his return he found the canoe gone with all its contents, while Mrs. Booth had barely escaped being stripped o! some of the clothes in which she was dressed by the natives who bad made off with the canoe. They all remained by the river side in a pelting rain, until four natives came and claimed a hall-caste boy of whom Mr. Booth had the charge, on the pretence that he should go to his Maori relatives. Mr. Booth resisted, but Haimona, the late Hore Patene’s brother, who had come to Mr. Booth’s assistance, advised him to let the boy go, otherwise they would all be murdered, and Mr. Booth complied. They then crossed the river and Mr. Bootli intimated, that he must leave ; but they would not allow of this, ami had the whole party conveyed to the house. Later in the evening it was intimated to them that Pehi would pass next clay on his way down the river and would take them with him. On Sunday morning they were again threatened, and were told that the angel Gabriel would not permit them to escape, to which Mr. Booth replied that his God was more powerful, and would assuredly protect him and his family from every danger. The day wore on, and it was found that Pehi had passed down the river without making a sign.

Another anxious night was passed in alternate hope and tear. On Monday morning it was intimated that they might depart; but justly as they had packed up a few things to bring with them, a message came that they must remain, fhey then gave themselves up for lost. Mr. R. Booth nobly offered to remain as a hostage; but this could not be, even though the offer were accepted, and it was not accepted. They then betook themselves to prayer ; and just as they had finished, llore Patene came and told them to make off with all speed, which they at once did, having little with them but what they had on. They were greatly releaved, on arriving at the first Government natives’ pah, and got down to this place next day, gratefully for their providential escape, though with the loss of all their property.

NI. Lnmpiller, the Roman Catholic priest up the river, has been warned to leave, but meanwhile refuses to do so.

Information was brought in this afternoon bv a settler on the Kai-iwi of 300 Maories having been seen by him in that neighbourhood ; but it is probable bis fears have greatly exaggerated the number, and no report has been made by him to bead-quarters. There are a great many exaggerated rumours going about which have no foundation whatever, and should be taken by those who hear them at what they are word..