REBELLION AT POVERTY BAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 146, 28 November 1868, Page 4

REBELLION AT POVERTY BAY.

We have compiled the following from the Napier telegrams appearing in the Wellington Independent and Evening Post, as conveying a continuous narrative without repetition. Napier, Nov. 16th, 6 p.m. The s.s Ahuriri arrived to-day from Poverty Bay. She x-eports that four friendly natives were shot on Saturday by Te Kooti and that seven more were bound hand and foot to be shot yesterday. The Big river [Koputetea] settlement was entirely destroyed Most of Tamehana’s people have gone over to the rebels, The enemy is 550 strong, and strongly posted.; thenforce consists of the ex-prisoners, the Ureweras and the natives of Upper Wairoa, under Te Kooti Warn and Paeru Taku. Major Lambert, the Major commanding at Hawkes Bay, is still at Wairoa. The destruction of the settlement is complete, inasmuch as only one house, that belonging to Mr. Bousfield. has been left standing in Matawhero, and that is occupied by the Hauhaus, The rebels took everything away from the houses before burning them. A reconnoitring party under Westrupp was to start yesterday from the redoubt-,* More men are required to justify an attack with a good chance of success. Westrupp’s force 280 all told, is insufficient to man the redoubt, and to take the field. At Napier much anxiety prevails, and the 3rd Class Militia is called out for picket duty. The St. Kilda is about to leave with the Constabulary ex Wellington, and other reinforcements. H,M. s.s Rosario has arrived at Tauranga. The Europeans at Turanganui had entrenched themselves with a force about 25 in number, with 200 friendlies. The Amuri took the wives and children of the refugees, with about 100 friendly natives, from Wangaweri to Turanganui She called in at Waipu for Morgan’s men, who refused to come, saying they had enough to do to defend their own settlement. The friendly natives, who went over to the enemy, have since been shot by them. 12-30 p.m.

I believe an attack on the enemy at Turanga is contemplated, if we can bring sufficient force into the field. The feeling of the Maori chiefs here is very friendly. The steamer leaves to-night for Turanga with arms and ammunition, and the 22 men that came in the Wellington. The Wairoa is looked upon as the chief difficulty just now. 2 p.m. The council with the chiefs is over, and is considered very satisfactory. The impression here seems to be that we have not strength enough at present to act on the defensive. There is an idea, I believe, of sending 100 men from here to the Wairoa, and then to send the Ngatiporou thence to Turanga. If this should be done we would require more recruits from the East Coast. The Hauhaus at Turanga are estimated at 500 men. They have a reserve at Puketapu, where their women and children are j they are supposed to be strong, but numbers not known. It is estimated that Captain Westrupp could not make an attack without a field force of 500 men, leaving 200 men in garrison—in all 700. Heuheu starts for Taupo to-morrow. 17th, 12-35.

A messenger has arrived from Wairoa. Mr. Preecejjhas returned from the Mahia. Ihaka and his men have gone to PovertyBay. The European women and children have now all left Wairoa, some having gone to Auckland, and others come down here. The native women at Mahia gave them provisions. There was a rumor at jWiairoa that, one i of Waru’s brothers was hear Mahia, which has Caused people to be very unsettled. Heuheu promises to cooperate with Europeans, aiid has proceeded to Taupo with that yiew. It was intended to, move,the Ngatipprou and Napier Maoris to Poverty Bay, but, as a large section of iWairoa Maoris 1 would join the Hauhaus, it Iwakdeemed. 1 more advisable ; to get moire Ngatiporpu. The Aliuriri Maoris are prepared for service at £4O per day. Te Kooti has burnt the rifles taken 1 from the friendpLies. 18th. | No information has been obtained of the ■ have been taker* to, r It is. surmised that the -M aoris ■ at Turanganui were drunk jwhen/surprisbdi 'THe T Sfr Kilda, has sailed puka and bthers for, and .will meet JAhuriri with 200 Ngatiporot4jmaking >up

the force to over 700. False rumors are flying about. One from W stated that Ngairo ■ was coming up slay and destroy, and then join Te Kooti, Telegrams have set anxiety on that score at rest. The enemy by the last accounts were eight miles from Turanga. A party were to go out on the following day to bury the dead. Tupaparoo Wairoa was to be sent to Poverty Bay.

18th, 6 p.m. When the Poverty Bay news reached Auckland on the 13th inst., it created a fearful sensation, and the Rosario, which was fortunately in the harbor, immediately got up steam and left at once for the scene of the massacre. The Ahuriri steamed on Tuesday evening up the coast to raise more forces of the Ngatiaporu tribe from Poverty Bay, The St. Kilda left this afternoon with 200 natives of Tareha’s, Hapuku’s and Renata’s people, with their chiefs, under the command of Captain Kennedy, for the same destination. It is hoped that Te Kooti will remain in the open so that a decisive blow may be struck without further delay. The patrols in town are carefully kept up. The refugees have left all their property behind them. The Star of the South is hourly expected from Poverty Bay'with more news.

19th, 2 p.m. The Murewai has an-ived from Poverty Bay. She imports the Hauhaus 200 strong going about on horseback. Mrs. Wilson and one child found alive ; she has received nine bayonet wounds, but is expected tolive, 20th,, 7 p.m. A schooner is in from Poverty Bay, she left at two o’clock yesterday. The St. Kilda was to follow in an hour, but there is no appearance of her yet. It is supposed that she has been detained, as the Hauhaus were entrenched at Pukermonga, which is only eight miles off, and they were hourly expected to come down to attack the stockade. An old Maori woman had given an intimation that such might be expected. The mail was to be sent on by the steamer. The captain of the schooner reports that Mrs. Wilson is very unwell, end has one wound through the abdomen, one through the thigh, and five others. She was three days by herself before being discovered. She was during that time sustained by her heroic son Jemmy, a boy of eight years old, who supplied her with some eggs and a few potatoes. The brave boy, when discovered by a party of ours, had a card upon him which the poor lady had scribbled an appeal for help in the following touching words :—“ Could some kind friend come to our help for Cod’s sake.” H.M. s.s. Rosario is hourly expected from Poverty Bay.

Monday, 23rd. The Ahuriri arrived from Poverty Bay at 1 a.rn., reports all quiet. The rebels have retired to the back country. The bodies of four more friendlies have been found mutilated and unrecognisable. Mrs. Wilson is fast recovering, but unfit for removal at pi'esent.

The following telegram was posted at the Telegraph Office this (Thursday) afternoon for public information :

Napier, Nov. 26th, 10-57 a.m. An engagement took place on 23rd inst. at Poverty Bay. Te Kooti is supposed to be killed. M!ore than 20 of the enemv killed. ‘ J

Loss of Government Natives, 4 killed and 12 wounded. Neither party can burr their dead.

Our position is admirably situated for artillery practice. A man-of-war’s rocket brigade, with two light guns for throwing shells, grape, &c., much wanted.—Signed, I). McLean, Superintendent, Napier.