TARANAKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1766, 13 September 1862, Page 2

TARANAKI.

[FROM OCR OWN COKBESPONDENT.J Taranaki Sept., Bth 1862. i It is with considerable pain, that I write ta convey the intelligence of the wreck in Namu

Bay, of tbe mail steam ship Lord Worsley, oi Monday, September Ist. During the whole period of distress througl which it has been our lot to pass, we have not eti dured a similar amount of anxiety, thau ha: been caused by this sad disaster, nor have wi felt to a greater extent, our isolated and lonelj positiou. You can imagine the pain that al of right feeling must have endured, at knowing that so many of our fellow countrymen wert wrecked and at the mercy of those, who but s short time ago, weie ruthlessly and indiscrimi nately murdeiingaii Europeans they came in contact with, and whom it was not in their power tc aid. May be the slightest attempt at a rescue might have ended in the utter destruction ol t iose we so earnestly wished to save. Very early on the morning of Wednesday, the 3rd instant, a native came in with the news fiat a three-masted steamer had been wrecked at Namu Bay, about 45 miles to the south ol New Plymouth. Colonel Warre on the reception of the news, immediately sent orders to the contractors to prepare six days rations for 2)0 men, who were detached and ordered to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice, Major Butter being in command. Nor had the old spirit died out from among the civilians, for notwithstanding our decreased number, 150 volunteered to accompany the expedition. The Rev. Mr. Wbitely who rode down, was not allowed to pass the gate, he asked if he p-rid, whether he might proceed, the answer W,as " No ;" nor could he obtain any other information, beyond '• that the people would be cared foi," and thus hour after hour passed away, leaving us suffering from the greatest anxiety as to the fate of mn fellow countrymen. In the afternoon, a letter arrived from the Warea natives addressed to Mr. Parris assuring him, that the white people should be brought up in their drays. The next day, Thursday, Colonel Warre, a:companied by the Superintendent, Mr Parris, and the Captain, rode down tbe coast to the Maori toll gate, but could obtain no information as to the movements or intentions of the natives. From this time until Saturday ujoin ing, the troubled countenances of those who collected in small knots, were talking over the sad affair, evinced how much they felt, at not being enabled to cany out their hearts wishes in rushing to tbe rescue. To us it was worse than for the military, they could plead waut of orders lor not moviug, we on our parts felt that nothing would compensate us for the want of power to shew our hospitality. On Saturday morning, nervs came in town, that Robert who bad riddeu down the coast, had returned, and that all were on their way, and might be expected in town that night, or en the Sunday. Prior to this news arriving, the Captain had started for the wreck in a whale boat with his crew, and two of our cargo boats had left with the intention of bringing up spine tbe passengers from Warea, where the drays had encamped. On tbe Saturday night the boats returned laden with living freight. Mr. Graham aud others also leached town, having riddeii overland. The captain's explanation of the affair I enclose. [This was published in oui last issue ] After the passengers had landed from the fie wreck, William King of Umuroa took c'uaige aud conveyed them to his pa, a negocia lion was then opened with tie king natives, who agreed to convey all in safety over land on consideration of receiving five shillings a head as toll money, and £4 for drays and bullocks, and £4 for a horse. By Sunday, all had arrived in safety, and were through the excellent arrangements of our energetic Superintendent, the Rev H. Brown, and others kinaly cared for and coinfoitably lodged. The mails did noi arrive until late on Saturday night. The wreck is in the hands of the natives. W. I, G. Since writing tbe above, I find that reports are in town, to tbe effect that the king natives held a meeting to consult whether the party should be murdered or brought up. The case in reality is, that one chief wished such, and became so outrageous, that he was bound hand and foot, and put out of the pa, the others to the letter have carried out their xgreement. Eiueti of Warea, acting in such a stiaigbtforward and honourable manner, as to draw from the passengers and crew, a handsomely worded letter of thanks. W. I. G.