BAY OF ISLANDS.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 9, 30 April 1845, Page 2

BAY OF ISLANDS.

In the third number of our journal, April 9, we inserted a paragraph, under the head of ' Postscript," extracted from the Auckland Times, to the effect that nine more Europeans had been murdered at 'the Bay of Islands, We again publish this statement, with some trifling additions, for the information of out readers, and can only add that we fear the number murdered, in cold blood, by the Maories at the Bay, will amount to more than what is generally supposed. By the Russell, from the Bay of Islands,

which has just arrived, we are sorry to hear from Lieutenant Walsh, who came as a passenger with his wife ami family, that nine more of our countrymen have fallen by the hands ot the natives since the general collision. Mr. Walsh informs us that when on Kororarika beach, he had a conversation with Ehara, a powerful chief, who told him that nine Europeans had been taken and murdered by the natives, after which, their bodies were burned ; this statement was corroborated by the Rev H. Willi ms, who buried one of the men, after cutting off a portion of his shirt and waistcoat, which we have in our possession ; who was lying on the beach ; but the whole of his body was burnt, with the exception of his legs and feet, as a portion of the wood with which the fire was made to burn the body was lying over the bones. The only buildings standing at the time the Russell left were the buildings of the Catholic Bishop ; the house of the chief constable, and a few small houses; but the whole of the houses were pillaged, with the exception of those belonging to the Bishop. Ehara also repeatedly said he would have taken off the head of Mr. Walsh, only he (Mr. W.) was connected with the Catholic Bishop, who, we understand, is much respected by the natives generally. Many of the natives told the son of Mr. Walsh "that it was no use to go to Auckland for protection, as they (the maories) would be there in one month from that time. — Auckland Paper.