The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1868. THE LATE HAUHAU OUTRAGE. IMPORTANT NEWS FROM PATEA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 168, 18 July 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1868. THE LATE HAUHAU OUTRAGE. IMPORTANT NEWS FROM PATEA.

We are indebted to the courtesy of Captain Holmes, of the Wellington, for slips of the Taranaki Herald of this day, kindly forwarded by the proprietors, from which we learn that the number of the Armed Constabulary killed in tbe attack upon Turo-turo-mokai, is happily not quite so great as was originally stated, 10 having been killed and five wounded. It appears that on the morning of the 12th inst., firing was heard in the neighborhood of Turo-turo-mokai redoubt, where Captain Ross and about 26 of the armed Constabulary were stationed, and which is situated about three miles nearer Patea than the Waihi, and is a place of some strength, situated on a knoll, and surrounded by a ditch and bank of some depth and breadth. Major Von Tempsky and his men at once mounted and started off in that direction to see what was doing, and if necessary to afford relief. On arriving in sijrht of the redoubt they saw the natives actively engaged in the attack, but who, on seeing the mounted troopers coming upon them in the rear at full speed, quickly retired towards the bush. Major Von Tempsky aud his troopers tried to cut them off, but the rebels evaded him, so after following them as far as Ohutunui, where they disappeared iu the bush, he turned back to the Turo-turo-mokai redoubt. Here an awful sight awaited him. About three feet inside the gateway lay Captain Ross, frightfully tomahawked, and with his heart cut from his body ; and not far from him near the gate were the remains of Gaynor. In one of the angles of the redoubt, lay the bodies of Sergeant McFadden, Corporal John Blake, and Private Shields (Captain Ross's servant) weltering iu their blood, and on the parapet on the outside was the body of Private Holden. Lennon (who kept ihe canteen) must have been killed before he could have reached the redoubt, for he lay alongside a whare, on the outside, literally cut to pieces, and his heart torn from his body.. The redoubt was attacked between 5 and 6 o'clock on Sunday morning, the rebels coming up stealthily from behind Lennon 's canteen. On the sentries giving the alarm, the rebels fired a volley, at the same time attacking Lennon (who was trying to reach the redoubt), instantly killing him. Captain Ross on hearing the alarm rushed from his whare (which was outside the redoubt), and made at once for the gate calling upon his men to defend the entrance. The Maoris seemed to concentrate their attack on tbe gateway, and got in two or three times, but were repulsed. They finally however succeeded in killing Captain Ross. A panic then must have taken place amongst the men, and tbe massacre commenced, several of the constables bravely contending against an overwhelming majority. Constables Cowper and Hamilton succeeded in getting away unperceived by the rebels, they being in tents outside the redoubt; but Wilkie, Burrows and Cobb bolted, I believe, almost at the beginning of fhe firing. The sides of tbe redoubt were nearly cut through — and in one place quite through — where the rebels had ! tried to make steps and scale it.

The bodies of the dead were ' brought down to Waingongoro and interred in the graveyard on the 13th inst. The Native Contingent, amongst whom was Kateue and Kaho, have since this affair left the redoubt where they were stationed and gone over to the rebels, taking with them all the breech-loaders and revolvers which had been recently served out to them. It is stated by the Special Correspondent of the Taranaki Herald at Waihi, whose description of the affair we give above, that Captain Page's Company, consisting of over 90 strong, are all to be withdrawn from Waigongoro Redoubt, and are to be stationed there (Waihi), so that the entire coast from Manawapou to near New Plymouth will be af the command of the Hauhaus. All the people at Waihi are under arms, and no one is allowed to leave the place, for it is considered certain that the rebels are still prowling about Waingongoro, where there are lots of sheep and cattle. The following is a list of the casualties : — KILLED. Captain Ross, tomahawked, and heart cut out. Sergeant McFadden, shot. Corporal John Blake, shot. Constable Shields, (Captain Ross's servant)shot Constable Holden, shot on the parapet. Constable Ross, shot. Constable A. Beamish (died afterwards), shot. Constable Swords (died afterwards), shot. Constable Gaynor, shot. Constable Lennon (canteen keeper), frightfullp mutilated. WOUNDED. Constable Lacey, severely wounded. Constable Beamish, wounded. Constable Kirkshaw, wounded. Constable Flanagan, wounded in two places. Constable Tuffin, wounded in six places. Total, 10 killed and 5 wounded. The friendly natives have received a letter frora the rebel head chief, it being put on a split stick and stuck in the road near Waihi. Its contents were to the effect that 'He had eaten the whiteman, they had killed — his wife and children had also tasted the whiteman, and it was good. In future all whitemen would be but food for the beasts of the field and fowls of the air. His throat was open — it was hanging and red. We have tasted the whiteman, and who knows when we will stop ? You know not when the winds die ; death is now my friend. Every whiteman who crosses here death will claim, even as the heavens, so are my words. Will the next meteor come from the east or from the south, or from the north or from the west ? Ye know not even so — you know not where we will gather the next palm of the [whiteman. I have said.'