AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 697, 8 April 1865, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

RKSCHE OF THK RBV. MR. GRACE, A.ND THE CHEW < P THE ECL T PS P. [From the Ncio Zealand Herald, March 20r'J The return of II M.s s. Eclipse, from Tauranga, on Saturday night, has put an end to the suspense and excitement which the flyingrep >rtsfrom time to time arriving in Auckland have called forth. The safety of Bishop Williams and the crew of the schooner Eclipse, and the re-capture of the Rev. Mr Grace, is a happy termination to the fearful tragedy which commenced with ' the murder of Mr Volkner Mr Grace and Captain Levy arrived safely in the steamer Eclipse, on Saturday night, and Bishop Williams remains with confidence at Tauranga.

On the evening of Friday, the TOth inst, H.M.s.s. Eclipse, four gun*, Commander j Freemantle, having embarked hi? Lordship I the Bishop of New Zealand, and Mr Short, j pilot, left Auckland for the East Coast, to recover, if possible, the Hew Mr Grace and other Europeans who had fallen into the hands of the natives at Opotiki The Eclipse has now returned to Auckland, and we are happy to say, with Mr Grace on board. The schooner Eclipse, with all her crew, is also on her way back to Auck- 1 land. The following is an outline of the Eclipse's proceedings during her absence from this port. On the morning of the 11th, anchored off Tauranga, communi- j cated with Te Papa, embarked Mr. 11. E ! Rice, (instructed by Colonel Greertojoin the expedition) and again took her departure before evening, proceeding eastward to Hick's Bay, and anchoring in Kawa Kawa roads at noon on the 12th. Here a whale-boat, manned by natives \ i-ited the ship, and it was ascertained that Kereopa's party accompanied by Hatara, had passed overland to Poverty Bay. No positive information could be gathered as to Mr Grace's whereabouts. A messenger was despatched to Mr White, H.M., Waiapu, to acquaint him that the ve&sel would return to the Kawa Kawa roads on the 16th, in case he should be desirou° of leaving his district. The Eclipse then proceeded to Poverty Bay, anchoring at Tauranganui at sunrise on the 13th. Captain Freemantle, accompanied by Bi-hop Selwin and Mr Rice, rode inland to Bishop Williams' station, v.hrrca lar;e number of natives had gathered to consider the steps necessary to be taian for the safety of the Europeans, Kercopa and Patara having arri< ed and demanded to be" allowed to pass through Tauranga. The Naive s had as sembled in front of the runanga house, one of the handsomest of native construction to be found on the coast. There were over 300 present, fully dressed in war costume, aud with more than the u=ual sprinkling of arms amongst them. The meetirg was opened by two war dances, followed by speeches, by Auara and others, of welcome to Bishop Selwyn and his companions. Subsequently they were asked to assist in setting Mr Grace free, and in procuring the murderers of the Rev. Mr Volkner. Here it was learned tha* Mr Grace had been left behind at Opotiki, and was not, as reported. tra\elling the country with the party. The natives declined interfering with Kereopa's party, least thereby any mishap should befal Mr Grace, but gave the most positive assurances of their determination to protect the resident Europeans. Subsequently two messengers (Maori chiefs) were se> t on board the Eclipse bearing a letter to Hori Tupaea, the Ngaitcrangi chief, the substance of which was that the production of Tupaea at Opotiki would procure MiGrace's release. On the 14th, the Eclipse left Povert3' Bay, and proceeded to the Kawa Kawa roads. Mr White had not arrived, nor had the messenger despatched to him returned from Waiapu. Large meetings "were being held in the district, and the general feeling was tending towards the Pai Marire faith. The Eclipse left Kawa Kawa roids on the morning of the loth. The Rev S. Williams and hi* brother came on board and were gratified at receiving assurances of the safety of the Poverty Bay Europeans. We have omitted to mention that Kereopa's party were not allowed to proceed southwards ; they were, therefore, obliged to return by the way they came, and would no doubt arrive at Opotiki about the 17th. The Eclipse steamed to Oamaia, and from thence to Tauaphori, where she anchored for the night, leaving for Opotiki at daylight, and arriving off Opotiki on the 15th, at 7 a.m. The two Tauranga chiefs were landed for the purpose of negotiating Mr Grace's release. Immediately afterwards a boat containing Messrs Levy and the other white men belonging to the schooner Eclipse (which was at anchor inside the bar) came on board. From them it was learned that all the natives were absent inland at a Pai Marire meeting, and that Mr Grace was alone in the settlement. This immediately suggested the advisability of Mr Grace's rescue, and Mr Levy offered to pull on shore and communicate with him. Within the hour the boat was seen returning, apparently without Mr •Grace, but on getting alongside it was

happily discovered that Mr Grace was hidden in the boat. Immediately after this the Eclipse's boat was sent to bring out the schooner. This duty was successfully performed. Tiewai, a friendly Native, came on boai d ; he appeared to be under some apprehension that he would be charged with complicity in Mr Grace's escape. The two Tauranganatives not having returned, some apprehension was felt as to their safety, and towards evening Tiewai volunteered to land, and make enquiries respecting them. During the night the ship's boat was patrolling the shore but no signs of Tieuai or the other natives. On the morning of the 17th the natives were seen in great numbers on the point, and it was decided on opening communication with them. For this purpose a boat, containing Captain Freemantle, the Bishop, and Mr Rice, approached the shore, and Mr Rice, interpreting, requested the delivery of the Tauranga natives, who had landed on the previous day. This was refused, unless Mr Rice landed, which, of course, was not acceded to. After some further warlike demonstration, shouting, praying, and gesticulating, for the purpose of drawing the vessel on shore, the natives then carried off the three flags that had been planted on the beach, and the boat with Tiewai, returned to the Eclipse. Subsequently the two Tauranga natives appeared on the beach, swam off to the boat, and were embarked.

The Eclipse then left Opotiki on her return to Auckland, calling off Maketu to communicate to the authorities at Tauranga the result of her proceedings.