BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 29, 26 April 1845, Page 3

BAY OF ISLANDS.

In the Spectator of the 29th March, we stated that we had heard, on good authority, that the natives had murdered in cold blood several persons not engaged in the fight : we have received the second edition of the Auckland Chronicle of the 20th ult. containing the following confirmation :—: — [second edition.] Auckland Chronicle Office, Thursday, 4 o'clock. * By the Russell, from the Bay, which has just

arrived, we are sorry to hear from Lieutenant Walsh, who came as a passenger with his wife and family, that nine more of our countrymen have fallen by the hands of the natives since the general collision. Mr. Walsh informs us that when on Kororarika beach, he had a conversation with Ehara, a powerful chief, who told him that nine Europeans had been taken and murdered by the natives, after which, their bodies were burned ; this statement was corroberated by the Rev. H. Williams, who buried one of the men, after cutting a portion of his shirt and waistcoat, which we have in our possession ; our informant also cut a piece off another man's coat, which we have also in our possession, who was lying on the beach ; but the whole of his body was burnt, with the exception of his legs and feet, as a portion of the wood with which the fire was made to burn the body was lying over the bones ! The only buildings standing at the time the Russell left (Monday morning), were the buildings of the Catholic Bishop ; the house of the Rev. Mr. Dudley ; the house of the chief constable, and a few small houses ; but the whole of the houses were pillaged, with the exception of those belonging to the Bishop. Ehara also repeatedly said he would have taken off the head of Mr. Walsh, only he (Mr. W.) was connected with the Catholic Bishop, who, we understand, is much respected by the natives generally. Many of the natives told the son of Mr. Walsh " that it was no use to go to Auckland for protection, as they (the Maories) would be there in one month from that time."