DISTURBANCE AT PATEA.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 277, 20 June 1868, Page 4

DISTURBANCE AT PATEA.

MURDER OF THREE MEN BY THE NATIVES. (From the TaranaJci Herald Extra, June 15.) A rumour of a rather unpleasant nature was circulated through the town on Saturday morning last,, but, like all rumors, no authentic foundation for it was at first get-at-able. The rumour spoken cf' was exaggerated into a fight between the natives and the Armed Constabulary at Patea,"and that three men had been killed. It appears that two men, Patrick Hoggarty and John Delaney, anda boy named James Higgins, started from here on Wednesday last, and arrived on Thursday, at noon, at Tipolia, near the wreck of the old brigantine Marchioness. Here t ley were met by some natives—young men and boys—who demanded money. The men told them they had none; so the Maoris proceeded to search for tobacco and pipes. These they took, as also a cap from one of them. They then went on three of the natives following them for half-a-mile, when they bid them " good day," and went back. The men proceeded on as far as Umeroa (about five miles this side of Opunake), when they again met some natives, amongst whom was Tamati (formerly a mailman), who asked where they were going. On being informed that they were bound for Patea, he said, " No, you can't go and on being asked the reason, he replied that there was fighting going on, and that three white men had been killed. The men consequently turned back, and brought the information into town. At about 4 p.m., the mailman arrived from Patea, briuging a letter to Mr Parris from Mr Booth, R.M., dated Waihi, 10th June, from which we gain the following information: —• A military pettier, named Sergeant Cabill, and tw r o others were attacked while putting a log on the sawpit, in the Kitemarai bush, and murdered by ten men from the TeNgutu-o-te-manu tribe. An inquest was to be held on the bodies the following dav (the 11th). The Pokahoi chiefs tendered their allegiance on the 10th, and pledged themselves to protect the European settlers. Tadgalioi and Tito belonging to the Ngahui tribe, have also tendered their allegiance to the Queen. The Keteoneta natives have sent in the settlers, and the friendly natives think they (the Keteonetas) will join the Titokowarus. From a private letter, we have received further intelligence of this murder : " The murder was committed by 10 natives, supposed to come from Pongaroa. Cabill and the other two men were just fixing a heavy log on the pit when the volley was fired. Two of

them were shot through the heart, and they wore dreadfully tomahawked. Some natives heard the firing, and saw the war party returning through their land exultting over the deed. " Some of thorn took the intelligence to Waihi, when a party went out to fetch the bodies. The natives near Turuturumokai have pledged themselves to defend the Europeans. " The authorities have sent to Wellington for instructions. " Major Hunter has gono up from Patea, with thirty-five men, and Capt. Ross with twenty-five. This fores will be quite sufficient to protect the district. " Messrs rT. Carington, Vivian, and Carter, have arrived safely at Patea ; and Mr liichmond Hursthouse and Mr arrived safely at Oeo. "There are several rumours floating about the town as the cause of this murder, but as nothing reliable is known we abstain from giving publicity to them. Latest Intellegeitce. Mr Powell has kindly placed the following letter from Mr Carter at our disposal:— " Patea, J uue 10. " There is great excitement here at present, and it is impossible to say how things will go for a few daya. The men under arms here vere transferred to Waihi at two o'clock this morning, and every unemployed man sworn in to take charge of the camp. " Capt. Page and Colonel M'Donnell have been recalled from Wanganui. " As far as we know at present, the names of the unfortunate men are Cahill. Squires, and Clarke. " June 11, 8 a.m. " Ifc appears that the men were sawing when attacked by the natives, and two of them ■were fearfully mutilated.. " The rebels th oil went to some j friendly natives and told them what they had done, and added that if they (the friendly natives) did not join them, they would murder them also. " All the out-settlers have been called in. " Colonel McDonnell has just arrived, and off to Waihi."