News of the Day.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 83, 7 July 1866, Page 2

News of the Day.

DISTEIBUTION OF THE EEWARDS TO THE MAUNGATAPU SEARCH VOLUNTEERS. On Thursday afternoon, the Search Committee held a meeting at the Trafalgar Hotel, for the purpose of paying over to the Volunteers the reward which the Government offered for the recovery of the bodies of the four men recently murdered. The Government added £100 to the sum of £400 which was originally offered, on account of Mr. Kempthorne's private reward of £200 having been refused by the Search Committee. The following is a list of the men whose labours, during so many days of exposure, were so generously offered : — T. Harley, A. B. Cox, J. Richardson, T. Snow, G. Snow, J. Taylor, W. White, F. W. Rentoul, J. Black, F. Nairn ; J. Bradcock, H. Marten, W. Flett, constables ; G. Willcocks, T. Mabille, C. Bird, J. Stephenson, B. D'Lagone, D. Johnstone, W. Sharp, J. Smith, W. Davis, E. Mead, R. Stevens, J. Walker, H. Bailey, R. Evans, J. Cocklan, J. Edwards, H. L. N. Clarke, J. Bloy, J. Solo, J. Colqv ■ in, H. Bryan, C. Morgan, H. Hope, W. Philips, W. Runs, J. Mehany, J. Fitzpatrick ; Martin, Athanasius, Ropira, Tamaki, Wirihana, Tehora, Edwin (Maoris) ; W. Clark, H. Nelson, J. Griffin, M. Brown, G. Paul, R. Sutherland, P. O'Connor, W. Hall, G. Baker, J. Harris, T.Morgan, J. May, W. Herring, — M'Donald, W. Work, R. Buchanan, M. Quirk, J. Woolf, W. Jeffrie, P. M'Calpin, J. Cassidy, F. Moore, J. Cuthberfc, R. Newman, T. M'Rac, J. Buseel, B, Kieper,

O. Edwards, G. Davis, G. F. Johnston, J. Gilholley, J. Toping, J. M'Guffip, — M'Conkie, — Erskine, S. Baker, H. Miller, and W. Price. Tho reward divided amongst these men amounted to the sum £5 159. o-piece. Tho money was paid over by Mr. Saxton, after which the volunteers met together in the principal room in the Trafalgar Hotel, where Dr. Williams, the chairman, addressed them. He said that at first, owing to the startling nature of the news that a series of murders had been committed in the province, people had scarcely beliered in the truth of tho report. Subsequently, when intelligence had been received about the missing men and no explanation of their absenco could bo given, a deputation had waited on the police ; a meeting was held and a Search Party formed with a view to unravelling the mystery of their fate. It was proposed that the party should commence the search from a certain point, and search the bush through and through in the neighbourhood of where the men'sbodies were supposed to be. A commit tee was then formed, of which he was chosen chairman. On the subscription list being opened, between £50 and £60 was at once subscribed. The volunteers had at once repudiated tho idea that they wore to be remunerated for the service, which they considered it their duty to give. Mr. Saxton was chosen for leader — a gentleman whose energy and experience showed be was fitly chosen. Under his superintendence the search was carried out unflaggingly. The services of the Maoris from Wakapuakawere obtained, and James Marten and others joined the volunteers. The next morning a party set oat, and everyone was satisfied that the search would be rigorously prosecuted. Then came the discovery of tbe missing horse shot, and it was felt that their worst fears were about to be realized. The chair-* man went on to remark on the various stages of the prosecution of the search: the finding of the gun and shovels; and to the confession of Sullivan, which, although it led to the discovery of the bodies, did not detract from the honour which the Volunteers had earned. The chairman, on behalf of the committee, said that no attempt to detract from their merit would cause them to think less of the Volunteers' services, and remarked that the money they bad received was not given as a reward, but as a contribution from the Government to recognize their services in the same way that decorations are given to soldiers who had distinguished themselves. Ho should be glad to see the Search Party with such decorations on their breasts. The speaker thanked the Resident Magistrate and the Provincial Government, for co-oporating with them as they had done. Dr. Williams concluded by wishing the volunteers health and prosperity in their peaceful avocations, and that they would enjoy an approving conscience for baring assisted on the emergency. Mr. Kbmpthobne addressed the meeting in a short speech, thanking the volunteers for their services, and alluding to the unhappy end to which ths murdered men had come to. Mr. Luokie added a few words, saying he should look back with pride to his connection with the committee, and thanked the volunteers for the prompt manner in which they had carried out the instructions given them. Mr. Phiiaips returned thanks for the Volunteer Search Party, and the meeting broke up.