FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES AT OPOTIKI.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 794, 6 June 1865, Page 3

FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES AT OPOTIKI.

{From the Daily Southern Cross, 21th May.) H.M. s. Eclipse arrived in harbor yesterday at noon, from a cruise on the East Coa&t, whither she had been despatched to attempt the capture of the murderers of Mr. Volkner, and ascertain whether it was true, as reported, that Kereopa had been taken, and was being kept a prisoner at Opotiki. We regret to say that the Eclipse has not been successful in capturing any one concerned in the murder at Opotiki, and it would seem that Kereopa is not there at all. The result of the cruise shows most indubitably that the natives at Opotiki are still wholly under the influence of the Pai Marire faith, and are not inclined to return to friendly relations with us by giving up, or driving from amongst them, the emissaries ofTeTJa.

The Eclipse sailed from Auckland on Friday, the 19th May, having on board Mr. Fulloon, Government interpreter, and the native Tiwai, who is well known in connection with the affair at Opotiki. The vessel arrived off Whakatane Point on Saturday morning, where communications were entered into with the Ngatiawa there. Early on Sunday morning the Eclipse sailed for Opokiti, where she arrived at eight o'clock the same morning. There was naturally some hesitation felt about going ashore; but Tiwai, seeing some men on the beach who displayed a white flag, expressed his willingness to renture, and having been put ashore, went up to the settlement. He returned in the afternoon. Shortly after midnight, Captain Fremantle ordered four boats to be manned, with the design of landing, surprising the natives, and capturing some of the murderers of Mr. Volkner, who it had been ascertained, were living there. The boats contained in all forty-seven men and twelve officers, under the command of Capt. Fremantle in person. It is said that the beach was made and the men landed without the Maoris discovering them; but however that may be, the attempt to surprise proved a failure. Very likely the natives suspected the possibility of such an event, and were on the alert; for the party, soon after landing, found, not only that they wore discovered, but that they were to be opposed. Of course it was at once seen that the object of the expedition was frustrated, and an immediate retreat was begun. Indeed, there was some risk that the men would be cut off from the boats, it being found that an ambush was laid for this purpose. The Maoris opened a brisk fire, but fortunately with little effect, only one casualty haviug occurred amongst our men —a corporal of Marines received a gunshot wound in the arm. It is stated that two Maoris were killed by the fire of the Eclipse's men, one of them being a chief called Hakarariki. With the exception mentioned above, the retreat to the boats was safely effected. It being evident that nothing more could be done at Opotiki, the Eciipse weighed anchor for Te Kaha, where she lay till Tuesday morning, at eight o'clock. From Te Kaha she went to a place called Waihou, where Captain Fremantle and Lieutenant Boughay landed, and had an interview with the famous Patara. Leaving Waihou on Wednesday morning, the Eclipse went to Ornaio, where Wiremu Kingi came on board and informed Captain Fremantle that Ephraim, the halfcaste, who put the rope round Mr. Volkner's neck, was in the neighborhood. It was resolved to attempt his capture by- surprise in another way from that adopted at Opotiki, but unfortunately it had no better result. Tiwai and two of the ship's boys went ashore, the boys being clothed with blankets to disguise them as Maoris. A short time after they had gone ashore, a shot was heard, and Captain Fremantle landed with some men to give aid. They found that Ephraim had been captured by Tiwai and his assistants, but had managed to get away again. While being dragged down to the beach, Ephraim made a sudden effort, and shook off his captors. One of the lads immediately fired his pistol at him,- but missed, and Ephraim avoided any further shots by darting in amongst a crowd of women and children, who had by this time assembled. The Eclipse then went back to Te Kaha, which she left for Auckland on Thursday. Some stay was made at White Island, where many of the oflicers landed.

A Lieutenant Gotebnob foe Auckland.—Wa have much pleasure in announcing that Auckland is no longer to be left without any representative of the Government to act on his behalf in case of emergency. Our esteemed fellow-citizen, Dr. Pollen, is appointed to represent his Excellency Sir George Grey, and the Ministry during their absence at Wellington or else where. The ability and talent* of Dr. Pollen render his appointment a subject for congratulation to Auckland.— New Zealander,