THE EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 612, 28 October 1865, Page 5

THE EAST COAST.

| FLIGHT OP THE SETTLERS PROM i j TOKOM.UUJA. SKIRMISH WITH THE HAUHAUS.—. NINE 11EBELS KILLED. ONE SETTLER DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. BARBAROUS MURDKR OF A SETTLER'S SON. Thf. cutter Betsey, Captain Bushell. arrived in harbour early yesterday morning, bringing news I of importance, as also Messrs. S. Dewersen and C. Rylaiul, who, together with their wives and [ families, have been obliged to fly from their settlements through the outrages of the natives. | Mr. Samuel Dewersen, who is 11 years resident tit Tokomaru and tho coast, was obliged to leave his place with his wife and two children, in consequence of there being no place of safety to leave them in, and proceeded to the Government camp to the south of Tokomarua Bay, which was in cliargo of the loyal chief Henry 1 oti. There he has remained for tho last five j weeks for protection. Mr. Dewerseiv remained J at his station (which was fortunately situated I between two Hauhnu districts) and protected his property until the friendly natives drove I the. rebels away inland, and upon their I ' intimating their intention of going to follow them to Tologa Bay, they advised Dewersen not to stop any longer, as it would not be safe from straggling bands, and he therefore removed with his family to Mawai, and placed them under the protection of the chief Heury Poti, commanding there. Previous to Tokomarua being taken, Mr. Dewersen had a quantity of property and produce on hand, which the regular coasting craft used to call for and ship. Sometime since tho schooner ZiYlah. was coining in. but the friendly natives went out in a bout and warned them oil) snying it was not sate to enter ; this was not the case, and Mr. Dewe rsen made a large fire aud otlidr signals oii the beach for thorn to come in, but despite all, the vessel stood out to sea, and only for this occurrence he would have saved all his 1 property now destroyed. He then applied to the Hauhaus for a pass to allow him to go to Henry Poli's camp for the purpose of getting the Zillah to call on her way back and remove all his family, things, &c. Henry Poti agreed to forward a letter t * the vessel when she passed, and told Dewersen that it the natives had not plundered his place, to go back and remain there, until danger threatened, aud then be would come and see them sale awnj\ The Zillah got the letter, but unfortunately, owing to the heavy weather prevailing. was unable to call. Mr. I'cwerson, who lms five trading stations between Tokomaru and the East Cape, went away in his cargo boat with a lot of friendly natives, for the purpose of collecting what produce lie had left. Upon their going on shore, at his residence, tlicy brought all the wheat (30 bags) that was left out of the house, but had scarcely got it shipped on board the boat when the house was discovered to be 'in flames. It was nearly full of furniture, | goods, &c., n\\ of which was destroyed A I heavy North-Kaster sprung up that night compelling them to ship and put to sea, leaving their anchor behind. Mr. Dewersen then went to Tauranga to get some more cargo. There the friendly natives who came on board reported that the Hauhaus were in great strength, aud they the, friendly natives, were only waiting for some big guns from tho Government preparatory to attacking their pahs. The Queen's men there onty numbered about 200. Mr. D.'s party then returned to Mawai, and the first news they heard was that a settler had been shot through the head by .some Hauhaus, It appears that Henry Poti, and some of his force had gone to Tauranga to strengthen HereminVs party there, and the Hauhaus having been told by some straggling pris oners that the camp was very weak, attacked it at night, but were driven off with the loss of nine killed. Cur disunities were but small, a settler named John Henderson, who had been left, sentry at Tokomarua was dangerously wounded in the back of the head, but will most j likely recover. j

Three boys went out next day in the bush to look for horses, near where Mr. Dewersen's house stood, and whilst there were attacked by a party of Hauhaus; one of them escaped, but one, named Henderson (son of the settler who is reported above as shot), fell a victim to their cruel barbarity, having his skull fearfully beaten iu with a stone aud his body otherwise brutally mutilated, his brains aud eyes were taken out and eaten. His body was found several days after by two of his brothers, and buried. The other lad, a half-caste, son of Mr. Kyland, is still missing, and is supposed to have been carried . off by the party, as he has relatives among them, and his life is supposed to have been spared on that account. The band of Hauhaus who have committed this foul murder are the same party of 45 who left some time ago for Waiapu to join the rebels. Since their departure, the Government have destroyed their village and laid waste their plantations, and upon their return (32 in number) they were very excited on that account, swearing they would have revenge, and the murder is tints accounted for.

On the passage hero the Bessy called at Tup/iroa on Tuesday last, where it was found that the frieudlies were very strong, and iu a large pah ; they stated that they intended driving the Hauhaus away and capturing the settlement the next day. Mr. Dewersen reports that he is a great sufferer by all these outrages, and estimates his loss at not less than £1300. As an instance of the wanton mischief practised by these rebels, he reports that when his store was plundered, they knocked in the heads of casks of lard, strewing it all about the ground; opening casks of beef and pickles, and filling them up with sand; ripping open beds, and scattering the feathers to the wind, besides burning whole sides of smoked pork. The Rose Ann is tho next arrival expected, and she will most likely bring further intelligence. The settler Henderson (who was shot), and Messrs. Peachy and Collier, will bo passengers by the Rose Ann. The Zillah, from Tologa Bay, and Sea Shell, from Poverty Bay, are also now due.

We understand that 11.M.5.5. Esk leaves for Wellington to-morrow, with despatches for his Exccllency the Governor. —October 10.