FULL PARTICULARS OF THE ATTACK.'

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3215, 1 September 1879, Page 2

FULL PARTICULARS OF THE ATTACK.'

.[by telegraph.] Auckland, August 30. — Early on Saturday morning information was received of a murderous attack, by natives at Ohincmuri, on four men who were surveying at Eotokohu, a place about eight miles above Ohinemuri. Part of Rotokohu is included in the goldfields, and was cut there years ago. The party were engaged surveying a block of Government land, and j)ossibly it may be found that they were engaged on one of the Government purchases initiated several years ago. . The party consisted of Thomas Powdroll (a half-caste), Daldy, id.GWilliams, * and Messrs. Crump and Bayldon, surveyors. About 2 o'clock on Friday afternoon, whilo working, Powderill heard a Maori call out, "Look out; you will be shot!" Shots were then fired by the natives, and Powdcrili ran in the direction of Oiiinemuri. Ho was immediately joined by McWilliams, who cried out that ho was shot, as it proved he was, being wounded in tho hand and thigh. Afterwards these men heard firing, and saw nothing of Crump and Bayldon. A messenger at once left Pareora for Shortland, and as ho was leaving McWilliams was brought in. Superintendent Thomson was at the Thames on a visit of inspection when the messenger arrived, and he, despatched Sub-inspector Kenny and Dr. Andrews to Ohinemuri. It is believed that the natives who attacked the party were of the Ngatikou tribe, who occupied, an inferior position in the Ohinemuri District, under To Hira and Ngatitamatera, some years ago. Indeed, the Ngatikou appeared in the Land Court as against To Hira, and to assist the Government. What [ particular reason they had for. attacking the survey party is not known. They reside chiefly at a place about half-way between Ohinemuri and tho East Coast, and also on the East Coast. There was no man of note among thorn. Tho natives who have committed this outrage will, no doubt, at once mako their way into tho King Country and defy us to attempt to.capturo them. Tho two surveyors arc well known in Auckland and at the Thames. Mr. Bayldon 1 lias been a, resident" of the Thames since its opening, while Mr. Crump has been has been for' vearsj at Coromandel. It is possible they may have been able to get away into the bush, and so escape. , ,;$ The fact that McW;iUiams was wounded shows that- .the. Maoris really meant to kill the members of the party. , , ■ At two o'olook on Saturday morning the bugles sounded in Grahamstown for the volunteers to fall in. Colonel Fraser had fifty nien all ready, with arms and ammunition and provided with several days' rations. It was suggested that a general, turn-out of volunteers on Saturday to proceed to Upper Thames should take place, but Major Murray hesitated to take tho responsibility upon himself.