LIEUT. GASCOYNE, WIFE, FAMILY, AND SIX SETTERS KILLED.

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 537, 20 February 1869, Page 2

LIEUT. GASCOYNE, WIFE, FAMILY, AND SIX SETTERS KILLED.

REV. MR. WHITELEY KILLED

The Taranaki Herald of Tuesday last says :—

News came in yesterday, just previous1 to the Wellington ' leaving-, that the whole of the settlers at Clifton (White Cliffs) had been massacred by the Mokau natives.

The steamer was detained; and about 7 p.m.-left for the White Cliff (with his honor the Superintendent v/n board), \o bring the settlers who are scattered about that district to ISew Plymouth.

Mr McDonald arrived in town early this morning- bringing us information that' settlers h^id been massacred at Pnke-a-ruhe and that Lieut. Gascoyne, his wife, and three children, the Rev. Mr Whiteley and ■two-settlers (who resided there) had been murdered.

The Chatham Island natives have j been threatened by the Mokau natives, so have left that district, and come this side of the Urenui.

Lieutenant Messenger, wife, and ■ family are reported to be safe at; Urenui. j The names of the two settlers . who have been murdered are Ed- [ ward Richards and John Milner. I

The out-settlers are all ■ coming into town in a great state of alarm. The ' Wellington' has just returned ' from the Urenui river bringing- se- , veral of the families from that dis- '. trict. She takes back with her the Volunterr Infantry, wh^m she will, land at the Whire Cliff. They go i to recover the bodies of those mur- j dered.

Major Stapp with an armed force j on horseback, accompanied by Mr 1 Parris, have left town for the scene ' of the murder. I

Lieut. Rowan, who has not re-! covered from the wound he received at Ruaruru, bravely accompanies them. ■

The public offices, and the bank, besides the stores in town are all closed; the ensign at the signal .station has been half-mast all the

morning.

These ara all the particulars we can gather at present.