TWELVE NATIVES KILLED.

West Coast Times, Issue 103, 16 January 1866, Page 3

TWELVE NATIVES KILLED.

DEATH OF CAPT. HUSSEY.

By tho latest arrivals we have news of further lighting and punishment of tho rebel natives on tho East Coast. We copy tho following particulars from the " Ilawko's Bay Herald" ef 30th Docomber: —

Captain Biggs arrived, yesterday overland from Wairoa, bringtag news of hostilities having commenced ; of the first of the enemy's fortifications having beon carried by assault ; and of ten of its defenders having been killed. Unfor tunatoly, this success was not achieved without tho loss of that gallant officer, Captain Hussoy, of tho Taranaki Military Settlers, who was shot dead while leading hia men to the assault, the fatal bullet having entered his spine. Two friendly natives wore also among the slain ; and two men of tho colonial forces were seriously wounded — Corporal Hawes and Private Hollingworth, both of the T.M.S., and both doing well. We havo already mentioned that, on Saturday, the 23rd instant, Major Fraser and tho force under his command loft Wairoa, tho force advancing tho same day to within a fow miles of the enemy's position, and remained there until Monday. Marched eitrly on that day, and found the first pa ovacuatod — time not having been permitted tho Ilau-haus to finish it. About twelve- or fourteen miles up the river — the country being rough and inaccessible — a pa or kiangtv called Maruhakeke was reached about 3 p.m. It was garrisoned by about 150 men; tho Ilivu-hau flag waved over it ; and a flag of truco was contemptuously disregarded. An immediate attack was thereupon ordered. Tho attacking force consisted of 100 of the Hawke's Bay and Taranaki Military Settlers, and about 100 natives under Ihaka Whaanga — Kopu, with a party of his own men, following detached parties of tho enemy who were seen on tho hills. The assault was led by the gallant Hus'soy, who is said to have rushed in in advance of his men. ' Tie was shot dead as he entered ; also one friendly native. No sooner did this take place than the pa was rushed in gallant style — Lieutenant St. George having been first to enter. The enemy flew out under cover of the river bank, but with considerable loss, twelve bodies having been seen. Captain Biggs and Lieutenant Beero had been detached to a position inland of the pa, whero they were enabled to cut off several of tho enemy while retreating. Wo learn that Mr Towgood, who aecompained the expedition as a volunteer, kept encouraging the men, and was close to Captain Ilussoy whon he was killed. Whon cho enemy fled, Kopu joined in tho pursuit, chasing them to tho hills and killing several. Next morning, at two o'clock, a party under Captain Riggs went along with Kopu's and Ihaka's people, in hopes of being ablo to surprise the enemy, but did not succeed in gotting at them, they having apparently fallen back. Kopu had a skirmish in tho bush, and had two of his men wounded,' ono it was feared mortally. Ho reported that the Ilau-haus had retreated to a strong position on the hills. •The St. Kilda arrived lust evening, but Captain Kennedy had seen no ono beside tho pilot, and of course brings no additional news.

THE MURDERER KEREOPA. Tho story that was published some timo since, to tho effect that Kcrcopn, tho murderer of Mr. Volkncr, had bee.-, tried, condemned, and hung by an inoensed tribe of Hau-haus, at 'iVupo. is contradicted. Tho "Southern Cross" says : — " A native rumor, of a more recent date, and much more likely to be true, states that Kereopa has made his way across the country i and gono to Taronaki, taking with him the head of the Rev. My. Volkner."