THE ESCAPE PROM THE CHATHAMS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 337, 29 August 1868, Page 2

THE ESCAPE PROM THE CHATHAMS.

By way of Nelsn, we have the following particulars regarding the escape of the Hau-hau prisoners from the Chatham Islands. The steamer Stormbird, which had been sent by Government to the Chathams to ascertain the particulars of -the escape returned to Wellington yesterday week : On the arrival of Sthe tormbird at the Chatham Island?, it was discovered that the account of the escape formerly published, and said to have been furnished by the fugitive prisoners, was incorrect in many particulars. One man of the guard, named Harnett, resisted the Maoris while they were making him captive. He was immediately tomahawked and killed. Three prisoners still remain. They were averse to the rising, and informed the guard of the intended sunrise. Their information, through some unexplained reason, appears not to have been taken advantage of. These three prisoners had to 'secrete themselves until the departure of their countrymen. On the afternoon of the fourth of July, the prisoners attacked the redoubt, secured the guard, and killed one of them. They then ransacked the Customhouse, taking from the chest £GOO in cash.

A portion of the money belonged to the Government, and the remainder to

the inhabitants, having been deposited in the Custom-lrouse for safety. The prisoners then took 4000 rounds of ammunition, and from twenty to thirty stand of arms. They seized Captain Thomas, the gentleman who was in charge at the Island, and marched him handcuffed from the Redoubt to the Customhouse, telling him that they would not hurt him if he would show them where tho money was. After tho departure of the Rifleman with the Maori prisoners, an attempt was made to float the schooner Florence for the purpose of proceeding to Wellington. The attempt was unsuccesssful. A native who was assisting became entangled beneath the bottom of tho vessel, and was drowned. The Florence now lies on the beach, a total -wreck. She has been purchased by Mr. Ritchie, of Christ-church, for £GO. A letter from Poverty Bay, dated August sth. which appeared in (*io Hawkes Bay Herald, gives the following interesting particulars of the movements of the escaped rebels previous to their being overtaken and attacked in the gorge of the Euakituri, of which a telegraphic notice was given yesterday.

Colonal Wbitmore and his party have crossed the river in pursuit. Hau-hau fires are reported a3 being visible at Puketo ramiro, in a gorge of the Ruakituri River. The grayes of six of the enemy have been found —three of those who fell in action with Westrupp (amongst them Nikora of the Tarewera), and three killed by Richardson's party. The messenger sent by Biggs, through to Eichardson, was shot by the enemy, and his bodhas been found pierced by two bullet wounds ; he was a half-caste, known as Paku. This accounts for the noncommunication which puzzled us all. The despatches would have been read by the enemy, one of whose number could both read and write in English. The Hau-haus must have crossed the Hangroa with expedition, as the messenger sent from here found a quantity of clothing, bridles, and rifle abandoned near the river, and a number of horses. A knowledge of, or a peep at the contents of the despatches, may have hastened their movements.