HORRIBLE MURDERS ON THE HUTT.

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 58, 8 April 1846, Page 3

HORRIBLE MURDERS ON THE HUTT.

NARRATIVE OF EVENTS.

The town of Wellington was thrown into great excitement, on Friday mornby the reiort ihat Mr. Andrew GiU lespie, an intelligent and industrious settler* together with one of his children, a promising youth of thirteen years of age* had been found dead—murdered the proceeding evening, rie; i. r ||j 8 house, on the banks of the Kiver Hutt, between the bridge and the encampment. It appears that towards dusk, one of the militia men, who was returning home from j the bush, heard groans as if from some person in great agony, in the direction of Gillespie's house. On approaching the spot, he discovered to his horror and surprise the father and son, lying on the ground, brutally mutilated, and apparenily quite dead. He instantly gave the alarm, and a number of the setters speedily ariving, the bodies were conveyed into the house. The lad merely uttered an exclamation of "my poor mother," and then expired. The father though not guile dead, was utterly insensible to all around him. The father and son were discovered, lying, one on each side of a tree which they were engaged in sawing when struck down by the murderers. On examination, it became evident that all ih.> wounds were inflic ed with tomahawks, similar to those in use amono- the natives. The son, Andrew Gillespie, junior, had fiO less than eleven wounds, principally on the head. The father had seven wounds, most of which were also on ihe head. We forbear shocking the feelings of humanity by relaiing the fiendish mangling of t''e b< dies. Gillespie's tongue was not cut out as reported, but was contracted, owing to his severe sufferings. On Friday, an inquest was held on the body of the son, before J. Fi zgeraid, Esq , M. D., Coroner, and a respectable jury of Hutt sellers. Theevidonce received merely related to thefaci of finding the body, and to the number and decriptiun o! the wounds, and the jury returned a verdict ol " Wilful Murder against some person or persons unknown/ Saturday, April 4. Te Rauparaha sent in a letter, by Mr. \V. Couper. to the Rev. Mr, Hadfielti, informing him that the mu--ders had been committed by some natives from Porirua, and that if the Governor would send five or sis c nstabls, he thought he should be able to deliver up one of the murderers. Acting on this letter Ensigns Cervantes and Symonds, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. and f. ur Constables, set out for Porirua. On arriving at Jackson's, they apprehended two deserters ol the 99th regiment, who were staying there. The party stopped at Jackson's all night and in the morning proceeded to Mr. Coupet's. An interview took place between Kns-ign Cervantes and Kauparaba, who informed him that Hangihaeata would not give up the murderers without a struggle, and ihat he had espoused the cause of the Hutt intruders, heart and hand. Sunday.—-A native arrived in Town bringing despatches lo the Governor,- conlaing this intelligence. Orders were insantly issued for H. M. steamer Driver, and H.M.S.Castor, to prepare for sailing, and 260 men of the 58ih, 96th, and 99th Regiments were conveyed on board* At half-past five o'clock in the morning, poor Gillespie, after lingering for two days and three nights,- expired. During the whole time, no word escaped his lips, and be appeared perfectly unconscious. We trust he may have been unconscious both bodily as well as menially. The body of the son was brought over from the Hutt and placed in the Episcopalian church. Monday.—An inquest was held on the body of * Andrew Gillespie, before J. Fitzgerald, Esq., M.D., Coroner, and another Jury ol settlers empannelled for the occasion. After receiving the evidence respecting the finding ol the body, &c, the Jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown." The Jury also gave the following letter. I, on behalf of the Jury assembled on the body of Andrew Gillespie, do hereby state, that it is our opinion that every attention and possible care was paid to the unfortunate deceased, until the time of his death, by Dr. Tumbull, M.D., of the River Hutt, and nil other persons about him. On behalf of the Jury, A. Ludlam, Foreman. April G, 131(5. To J, P. Fitzgerald, M.D., Coroner, Wellington.

The burly was bn-uglit over and planed in the church, there to remain till ilm funeral. At 7 PM.. TIM. Steamer Driver, 0 guns, (!. O. liays, with bis Exceli.ncy Captain Grey, and suite orf b/>a<d, and a body of tile military departed for Porirua H.M.S. Castor was c impelled to remain at anchor, owing to the unfavourable S.E. weaiher. j Ensign Cervantes and party proceeded to Pa-ramatta, the pah of "liauparaha. He delivered an address lo his followers, of three hours dura ion. About one o'clock the steamer hove in siylit, and on the anchor being; dropped, Kauparaba went on board. He stated to Capiain Grey his determination of taking part with the white men, and that if Rangihaeata would not give up the murderers, he would instantly go against him. Kauparaba also told his followers that if they fought against the Europeans, ihey would ultimately be entirely cut off. It is further stated that from Wakinai to Manawatu, the entire native population are prepared to join Rauparaha. # Rangihaeata has leftTaupo, and thrown himself into a fortification lately built by the Ngatirangatahi, about four miles from the Bay. We are informed that the position is admirably chosen for defence; however, we think the tiger will son be driven from his lair. His associates are murderers and and desperate m;m, and the sooner this hornets nest is destroyed the better for Port Nicholson. The Wairau murderers —the Hut subsequent murderers, —are anrjnj?st thr-m. And Captain Grey, we (rust will hold no parley with thesp savages. Yesterday morninp;, H.M.S. Castor, 36, Captain Graham, got under weigh and pr.iceided to Porirua. At one o'clock, .he remains of the unfortunate Gillespie and son, were entered in the Public Cemetry. The' Rev. R. Cole performed the funeral service. About one hundred and fifty of the inhabitants, paid their last tribute of respect, by following the funeral. From what we can learn, it apppars that a party of natives, came down on the Hutt from Porirua, bent on sacrificing any unfortunate white man they might e>me across. That three or four crossed ihe river, and perpetrated the cru Idted, we have above rcro'rdr-d, whilst the remainder coy. red the t\ treat of the murders 'o the bush. Some blankets, and a few trfiinor articles were t«ken from the house. The eider son of Gifh'spie, had been sent down to the bridge on a message. Had he been present, there is every nason to believe, ihat he would also fuve hr-en sacrificed by the monsters, Gil'e*pie has lest a widow and one son to lament his untimely end. We are also informed that the natives visited a dwelling house lower down the river, but that fortunately for the owners they were absent at tbe time. The Govemmeut must now take energetic means to protect the ont-settlers. Since the murder, a body of natives have been observed hovering about the Hutt. In consequence, we believe, orders have been issued for the troops stationed there, under the Command of Capt. Armstrong, of the 99th, to fire upon any urmed body of natives who may make their appearance. H.M. Steamer Driver, returned to port last night, and H.M.S. Castor, this morning. Various rumours are afloat. We believe a combined movement will shortly be made against Rangihaeata. The barque Janet, arrived last night, after a lengthened passage of twenty-two days, from Sydney. 105 head of cattle Were shipped at Port Jackson, 50 of which have been lost on the passage. She brings no mail. Three vessels had been chartered by Government, for tfie conveyance of coals, for the use of her Majesty's War Steamers in this colony. They are ordered to touch at any port Where the coals might be required.