MOTIVES FOR THE OUTRAGE.

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

MOTIVES FOR THE OUTRAGE.

Mr. Cashol, of Oliinomutu, states the following facts, wliicli throws a light on the motive of the outrage : — Six weeks ago, with a party, he was surveying a block where the outrage has taken place. The block has not passed through the Court, and his party were surveying for the Ngatipeakos, the supposed perpetrators of the outrage, who had mado application to the Court. There are very few of the tribe, but they are turbulontly inclined, and ( their stronghold is at To Owaiti); it is believed that Piako and Waihi (anothor tribe) and Ngatikoe's have taken advances on tho land from the Government, and that Bayldon's survey party wore preparing for that tribe, who had also applied, to the Court. They had asked Mr. Cashol to survey tho block, 1 but having already done a part of it for other people, ho would not undertake it, and henc'o Messrs, Bayldon and Crump ; wore applied to. The tribe claimed several, piec,cs in hist Court, but gained nothing, and hence have been very discontented. They are the same ppople that prevented tho snagging' of tlio riv<er,

The Pukohangi Block, described as tho scene of the attack, is bounded on tho west by tho Waiho River, on the north by a line commencing at Okahukura extending westward, and by a bo^ndiary of<tlie P.amakahoni Block, on tlie eastby Ohinemuri and the goldfield block ; and on the south by native lands. Tho block is estimated to con'tam'aliouii^'O^OOO^acreV.'^ "" " ,Mr. 'Baylclon was authorised to commonoo tho survey about five weeks ago. The following natives sigiiett tho authority : — Tunukay Tarawhakara, Herckeoha, Ronata, Tanitate, Wetene, Haoni, Kaharuhi, • and Mamearoa. The survey was being mane on behalf of tho Government, who were tho purchasers, and l'6r whom .Mr. Mackay j made advances some years ago. Mr. Bayldon states that after the shots had been fired ho and Mr. Crump ran off in the direction of tho other two, and hearing no crios did not know that anyone was injured. The Maoris oanie on the party so suddenly that not even the cattle dog belonging to one of the party gave any indication of their approach. Messrs. Bayldon and Crump gained their camp, where they remained until after sundown, and did not leave until tho arrival of the constabulary, who informed them that McWilliams had been wounded. Mr. Bayldon has laid the facts of the shooting before Mr. Native Commissioner Puokey. The young man McWilliams is in tho Thames Hospital ; he is very feverish. The surgeons have extracted tho ball from the thigh wound, which is not considered dangerous. On receipt of the news at Grahamstown, Major Murray instructed the officer of No. 8 Scottish Volunteers to place his services at the disposal of Inspector Thomson, and further offered the Inspector 200 Thames Volunteers equipped, at an hour's notice.