ARRIVAL OF THE SCHOONER RIFLEMAN FROM POVERTY BAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2030, 27 July 1868, Page 6

ARRIVAL OF THE SCHOONER RIFLEMAN FROM POVERTY BAY.

(Fromthe Wellington Evening Post,)

The Rifleman arrived this afternoon ! from Poverty Bay. One of the crew, named William Holme 3, has furnished us with the following .particulars of the escape of the prisoners from the Chathams :— The day after the arrival of the schooner at the Ohathams, while the captain was on shore, firing was heard by those on board, after which the Maoris were seen taking possession of two boats and pulling for the vessel, which they boarded, and sent the crew aft, placing a guard over them, where they were kept for/three hours,

during which time the Maoris on shore were gathered together, and brought on board. The crew were then informed that, if they did not weigh anchor and proceed to Poverty Bay, every man of them would be killed. Having no other alternative, the mate, in the absence of the captain, yielded to superior strength, and proceeded to sea. The weather on the journey was boisterous, and, in order to allay a storm which they' encountered, the Maoris, acting from superstition notions, laid hands on the father of one of the chiefs and threw him overboard. They carried with them to Poverty Bay all the arms and ammunition they could lay hands on.

The schooner Florence, which was at anchor close to the Rifleman, was seized and boarded by the Maoris, and sent adrift with all sail set, her crew being put on shore and secured, as was also Captain Thomas and the guard, in order to prevent escape, but no violence was used.

Most of the Rifleman's cargo Avas flung overboard by the Maoris, to make room for themselves in the hold.