THE ESCAPED PRISONERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 309, 8 November 1864, Page 5

THE ESCAPED PRISONERS.

To tho Editor of the Nirw Zealand Her&xd. 1 Sir, —As a resident in this neighbourhood, which has boon so unnecessarily, and, as it would seem, recklessly exposed to annoyance and danger, I think it will bo only my duty to give you a statement 01 what J. have lately seen or heard from reliable witnesses, of tho movements and conduct of the expiisoncra during tho last few days. On the night of J..onday, the 23rd October, a party of 30 natives camped, in the paddock of Mr. Williams, Kaipara 11 f" ! from the pa to Kaipara ; thev risked lor broad, saving; they "were very hungry* net baung broken their fast sinco leaving the pa in the moinirg , this could hardly bo true, as they refused a supply of potatoes which was offered to them. On' the Saturday following, about GO Maories cm no fioni Kaipara, and it was observed that most of them weic armed, "When they arrived near tho pa, they fired a volley, to announce their arrivnl to their friends. Uutc was also a volley fired on the same day, 28th October, to welcome the arrival of a party from the North. I cannot sav how largo a parts' this was. On Monday last, I visited Omaha, and on the road met one native, who told me lie was going to Mahurangi, where tho Chief had offered him the use of land to plant kumeras in. Arriving near tho entrance of the Omaha, I saw two boat*, full of Maories, making towards the shore, they presently landed with a plentiful supply ot* fUh. One man came into the house to borrow a "billy" to cook some fish in, which was lent to him ; another came to borrow a basket to carry fish to the pa, a mat, the cover of a teachest, was given to him; another came in, and was careful to make it appear lie " was not a Waikato—who was no good,"—and showed a pass from tho Magistrate at Wangart 1, which was to satisfy all readers that "bearer wa* going to sco his relatives at Mahurangi.'* I was afterwards passed on tho road by about a dozen Maories, all bearing fish to the pa, soino of which they exchanged for tobacco and bread with tho settlers who were willing to do so. They got largo supplies ol fish, having made a soino of flax. .They are at present very civil and well-behaved toward the settlers, whose greatest- complaints now are that every small article of iron, leather, &c. t is sure to disappear if left exposed ; and that the slip-panels are loft down by tlio natives. They can be jorular, however. One of them being asked " will you not go back to the Kawau ? " held open the lids of his eye for the enquirer to inspect it—a gesture which needs no explanation. In (he afternoon of Tuesday Inst I called at Mr. Lamb s ; he asked me if I had not heard much firing ill the bush. I had not, and said so. He said he had heard the report of nearly twenty guns, and feared there was mischief at the doctor's"( Mr. Cruickshank). On proceeding there, however, it was found no miseliiei had been done, unless some of the set(levs' children wero alarmed. At half-past three the doctor was surprised (o hear several reports near his house, and going out found over fifty Maoris 011 (be hill at. (be back of his premises firing (heir pieces into the air. He immediately went (o them, and , found (hem all armed—some with guns, and some with swords ; but all armed one way or other. lie asked them why they caused such a disturbance, frightening his sheep, ,te., &e. They said it was to give notice of their arrival lo their friends in the pa, which, (hough two miles oil', was in sight from the bill where (hey were. He begged (hey would not do so again ; they then passed 011. Last night about ninety, it, is said, camped near the mill, Mahurangi. They appeared very suspicious of danger, having heard the blasting of a rock just before they reached the river. They were carrying a man 011 a litter, who is said to be Big Joe. * Thev asked if some timber lying (here was intended for a stockade, and one of (hem challenged a young man present. 119 having seen him before. The young man said, " You are a Kaipara native, you say 1 have uever been at Kaipara ; if you have seen me, it was at the Wuikalo : and if so, you are a rebel." When passing through Mahurangi, they are—at least some of them—willing lo be thought Waikaios. These ninety Maoris had not many anus with (hem. They appear to be better armed in going (o, (ban in re- ; turning from the pa. " I must now conclude to gain the post. November sth, noon. The greater portion of the Maoris marched for Kaipara early this morning. Fifteen Maori soldiers remained till nearly noon. They were all armed— four or live with small Enfield and medium rilles, and sword bayonets. 'J hey were put through their exercise in a soldier-like manner, and performed their evolutions with creditable skill, and for the satisfaction and 011 the challenge ot' one of the settlers, they tired at his hat several times at 100 yards, but did not hit it once. At about the time mentioned above they shouldered arms and marched oil' iu military style. Is i( not all very extraordinary ? 1 am, sir, yours, &c. Kigjia. Mahurangi, sth Nov., ISG4.