MURDER OF MR T. COLLINS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 389, 29 October 1868, Page 2

MURDER OF MR T. COLLINS.

A settler from Wairoa who was in the redoubt when Mr Collins was killed, and who was one of the party who next day went out and recovered part of his mutilated remains, called at our office Wanganui Times on Thursday forenoon, and dictated the following statement:— On Thursday, the 15th instant, an escort left Patea and arrived at Wairoa same day. Mr Collins was one of that escort. On reaching Wairoa they stayed over night; next morning, Mr Collins' horse which had been tied outside the redoubt, broke away and could not be caught in time to enable him to return with the escort. Consequently himself and Mr Southby started some time afterwards. When about six miles from the Wairoa redoubt on their way to Patea, at a rise in the ground, covered with toi and fern, Collins being about ten yards in advance, and both at a brisk trot, they were fired upon by an ambuscade of Hau haus. Mr Southby instantly observed Mr Collins fall forward in his saddle, and heard the Maoris shout to each other to surround him. Southby's horse reared, but he quickly got him in command, galloped back to Wairoa, and reported the occurrence to Captain Hawes. Thirty of the Wairoa Volunteers under the command of Lieut. Kenah were immediately told off, and after having proceeded four miles on the road to Patea, returning without fiudins; the body of the murdered man. Next morning Captain Hawes with forty mounted men started for Patea and, when returning, found tha mutilated body of Mr Collins. The head was severed from the body and found about sevc n or eight yards from it. The other mutilations are too horrible to be particularly described. The remains were taken to Patea and decently interred.

The Wairoa settlers, who are now besieged, complaiu that, when the war broke out they were just commencing to put in their crops. They were then ordered iu to build, a redoubt, and obliged to suspend further operations. The women and children were then allowed rations, but after a month that indulgence was withdrawn. The usual mode of conveying supplies being now cut off, the men are unable to obtain provisions for their wives and children. They, as volunteers, hold the redoubt and receive rations for themselves, but none"for their wives and children. If they ' abandon the place they abandon their all and leave that district entirely in the hands of the enemy. If that is re.dly part of the Government prouranime let Captain Hawes aud his men at once be ordered to clear out; if not let them be reinforced and sup. plied with provisions sufficient to enable them to hold on. That little garrison being within the boundaries of the province, and the only post in advance of the Waitotara, we think that Captain Hawes and his men with the women and children under their protection, have a strong claim upon the people of Wanganui for sympathy and assistance.