SAD MASSACRE AT TARANAKI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 243, 22 February 1869, Page 3

SAD MASSACRE AT TARANAKI.

Feb. 21, 5.10 p.m.y ■ The Eangatira from the North brings news of the massacre of nine settlers at the White Cliffs, Taranaki. On the 15th inst. letters from the officer commanding the district reached .New Plymouth with news of the murders, and the destruction of the blockhouse, and asking for assistance in arms, and ammunition. V^ The Wellington was on the poiflr-of sailing for Auckland, but Captain Holmes waited and took the Superintendent, together with a supply of arms and ammunition on board, and went up to Urenui. The steamer returned with the Superintendent and the settlers' families in the evening and embarked Captain McKellar, three officers and 70 men of the. militia and volunteers, and took them to TJrenui to recover the bodies of those killed. The volunteer cavalry left for the same place overland. >^ KThe names of those killed are, Lieut. Gascoigne, wife and three children, Rev — Whiteley, Wesleyan Missionary, John Richards, John Millari (settlers). * murderers are supposed to Be four Mokau natives, who had been hanging about the neighbourhood some days. They were — Philip (half-caste), Te Wetere, Te Koko and another, and they committed the murders in detail, Mr Whiteley being shot on Wednesday or Thursday, the others not till Saturday. The discovery of Mr Whiteley't* body, and the burnt ruins of the blockhouse, and of Gascoigne's house, by a young settler named M'Donald, gave the alarm, or more murders would have been committed. The murderers have fled to, the Mokau country. , A volunteer expedition recovered all the bodies except Mr Whiteley's; All the victims were found buried, none being mutilated. The bodiea were exhumed and brought into town, and the funeral was attended by 600 people. A public meeting has appointed a deputation to go to Wellington and ask for assistance from the Government. The Superintendent of Taranaki has issued the following notice: — "New Plymouth, February 17th. No positive information has yet been obtained as to the natives who have committed the late murders at ■ the White Cliffs, but there is every reason to suppose that it is the act of a small party of the Ngatimaniapoto, and I believe does not indicate any general rising of the King party. Should any reason to doubt this come to my knowledge I shall make it known at once. Messengers have been sent in all directions to ascertain whether the Natives of other tribes have any connection with this outrage, but there is no reason to think that such is the case. An armed party will occupy the Pukearuhe block. For the present, garrisons have been stationed in the Tikorangi, Mataitawa, Tataraimaka and Okato block-houses." The,, Auckland papers state that Fenjdns have been attempting to form an alliance with the Hau-haua, so as to secure the exclusive right of working in the Upper Thames. Mr Commissioner Maekay has issued a notice warn : ing all miners to leave the Native district, in consequence of treasonable overtures made to the Natives by certain parties.