NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE HAUHAUS

Colonist, Issue 1165, 4 December 1868, Page 7

NARROW ESCAPE FROM THE HAUHAUS

The New Zealand Advertiser of Monday, November 9, gives the following: —

"About midnight on Saturday last, Mr. Charles Durie, who resides on the other side of the Waitotara river, about half-a-mile from the Ihakupu pa, was woke up by the barking of his dogs, and immediately after a Maori named Timoti, rushed into the whare and told him and those who were in the house at the time to get up and not wait to dress, but run lor their lives. They acted on Timoti's advice, and had not got more than forty yards when they heard the Hauhaus shouting nt the house, and one ot the party saw them distinctly; they at once made for the bush, where they remained all night, and next morning crossed the Waitotara at Parakama, and found their way to Wercroa redoubt; which they reached afc about six o'clock. The party consisted ot Mr. Urns. Durie, Mr. Lingard, and three men; two of the men not being able to keep up the pace, lagged behind, and took a different road, crossing the river at Ihapuku, and arriving at Wereroa about 3 a.m., and giving the first alarm. Mr. Durie speaks in the highest terms of the Ihapuku natives, who refused to join the Hauhaus when they came to then- pa, and detained them there whilst they sent on Timoti to give warning. Pereama, the chief of the Ihapukiis, came into tho Wereroa redoubt yesterday morning, and informed Mr. Durie that the Hauhaus who called at his pa numbered 40 men, and that two parties ot similar strength had paid a visit to Ferekama and Popatuka—the former Mr. Durie found deserted when he passed through, and its inhabitants are supposed to have been taken prisoners. It has since qeen rumored that Timoti has been put to death by the Hauhau9.