ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. ECLIPSE, WITH REBEL PRISONERS.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 769, 7 March 1865, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. ECLIPSE, WITH REBEL PRISONERS.

(From the Wellington Advertiser, March 2.) H.M.S. Eclipse, Captain Ereeniantle, arrived in "Wellington harbor on Sunday afternoon from Auckland, having on board eight of the rebel Maoris recently captured at Tauranga. These men all belong to the Pai Mairire creed, and their high priest, who was also taken prisoner, was left behind in Auckland for some reason or other. We believe we are correct in stating that no determination- has as yet been arrived at in connection with the disposal of the eight rebel prisoners who arrived here on Sunday last in H.M.S.S. Eclipse, and as that vessel left for the Patea yesterday we presume they remain on board until a decision has been come to between His Excellency and the Ministry. There is no doubt that the ease case is encircled with difficulties, but it is probable the Government will take the earliest opportunity of bringing these fanatics to trial at the place where they were stirring up sedition and encouraging disloyalty. "While upon this subject we cannot but express the hope that while Ministers should use every exertion to protect the ignorant from being misled, they will be enabled to temper justice with mercy, and, while confirming the wavering, strike a blow at evil

doers