WANGANUI.

West Coast Times, Issue 93, 4 January 1866, Page 3

WANGANUI.

BARBAROUS MURDER AND MUTILATION BY NATIVES.

(From tho Wanganui Times.) It is our painful duty to record the perpetration of another unprovoked and cold-blooded murder by tho the tribe,

who, a few months ago, murdered

Kereti, the bearer of the peace procla-, ination. The victim upon this occasion ia a man named John Arbon, who served twelve years in lI.M. 12th Regiment, was discharged, and had been employed as a drayman by Mr Simpson during the last two years. Arbon's duty was to cart supplies — especially beer and spirits — to the various military On Monday last he loft Jwanganui for Nukumaru with his twohorse dray, and stopped at Alexander's that night. On Tuesday he proceeded to his destination, and on Wednesday • started to return to Wanganui. Ho had then on his person upwards of LSO in cheques and L 7 in notes. When he had arrived about half-way between Nukumaru and Alexander's he was attacked by the Hau-haus and brutally murdered, A fearful struggle evidently jQpJt pla.ee, Q* fyJcßyly indjo^c} by

spot upon wb.ic.li ho fell, and from whence his body was dragged to the middle of tho road, where it was discovered shortly afterwards by Mr Mitchell, of Nukumaru. Tho body wrs found quite naked, with a largo toma-hawk-cut on the left side of tho hend, tho throat cut across, tho two thighs near the groin cut up, the cuts extending at each side up the inside of tho hips, as if attempting to dismember the body. Tho chest was cut open about eighteen inches downwards, and then a gash which severed one side about the navel. This accomplished, they dragged out their victim's heart and entrails. Our informant, who had seen tho body, says tho heart was missing. Most likely both heart and kidneys were carried away and devoured. A largo piece of flesh, cut clean out of one arm, showed that poor Arbon.who was unharmed, fought hard for his life. Immediately on intelligence reaching Nukumaru, twenty men of the 1 8th Royal Irish were 'sent out, and the' mutilated remains taken to the camp.

Tho two horses and dray wero taken off by tho murderers ; tho dray was subsequently traced to the vicinity of a native village, but the party did not consider it prudent to follow up tho track. The deceased wns a native of Suffolk, and his mother is still living there. Arbon's little dog was found lying beside his murdered muster.

Immediately on the intelligence reaching Wanganui, Brigadier - General Waddy ordered out tho Forest Rangers to assist tho troops stationed nt Nukumaru to pursue flic murderers. Unfortunately, Major Von Tempsky and Major M'Donnell wore both at Rangitikei recruiting for the native contingent. In their absence, Lioutonant-Coloncl Rooks volunteered his services, and wo believe ho accompanied the detachment, which is under tho command of Lieutenant Pilmer. The Rangers went out yesterday, evening, cheering as they marched along with " three cheers moro for General Waddy." No doubt Von Tempsky and M'Donnell, as soon as they hear of it, will rido post haste after tliem. Let us wish them " God speed," end hope that tho murderers, upon this occasion, will meet with condign punishment*