BARBAROUS MURDERS OF TWO OFFICERS AND SIX SOLDIERS BY THE MAORIES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1868, 14 May 1863, Page 3

BARBAROUS MURDERS OF TWO OFFICERS AND SIX SOLDIERS BY THE MAORIES.

JOURNAL OF EVENTS. Wo resume our diary of daily occurrences from the date we concluded it on the 23rd March, 18(31. Monday, 4th May, 1863.— This day will be as long remembered as Tuesday, the 27th March, 1860, when fire of our settlers were shot down and tomahawked while peaceably following their several vocations on the Omaia road. To-day we have to chronicle the murder of eight more of our fellow countrymen under circumstances as horrible as those which attended the death of Messrs. Ford, Shaw, Passmore and the two little boys At about ten o'clock this morning the inhabitants of New Plymouth were thrown into a state of great excitement by the arrival in town of Ropata Ngarotigomate fiom Poutoko with the intelligence that the natives bad attacked a party of the 57th Rngiment on their way to town from j Tatamimaka. The General, who was on his i way to Poutoko, with Colonel Warre, and who i met Ropata, hastened on, and was soon after followed by the Governor; and his Excellency bad not long left town when his A.D.C., Ci'pt. Bulkely, galloped back to announce to the Colonial Secretary that several soldiers had been shot. The' excitement of the townspeople reached its height, when confirmatory tidings came in town by more than one horseman on reeking horses, that no less than six men and two officers who had been waylaid and shot clown by an ambuscade of natives on the beach near Wairau, belweeu the Oakura river and the Tataram.iika block, exactly in the some place as that occupied by the central party we mentioned last week. Some time elapsed before particulars of the murder readied town, and we gathered the following, which we believe to be reliable:— A party of the Commissariat Transport Corps, with tivo drays and twelve bullocks, with supplies, "were on their way to Tutdiaiinnka, and having crossed the Oakura river heard the report of a volley of small arms, and saw the smoke of the pieces some half a mile hefoie them. They saw that a party of soldiers and two horsemen (who proved to be o(Hcers) were attacked and saw some of them fall, when they immediately abandoned their cans and hastened back to the Poutoko and gave information of what they had seen.. Captain Short, with a party of 30 men only from the Redoubt at Poutoko, were the first to ar;ive at the spot, followed shortly afterwards by Colonel Warre, and it was their mournful task to- gather the bodies of the following officers and men savagely murdered. — Asst. Surgeon W. A. Hope, M.B. Lieut. T. H. Tragett, 57th Regt. Color-Sergeant S.imuel Ellers, 57th Regt. Sergeant Samuel Hill, " Private Edward Kelly, " '' John Flynu, " " Bartholemew Macarlhy, " Win. Banks, " They were on their way, on Military duty, to town from Tatarairaaka, and apparently had been shot down without a moment's notice. The bodies were all horribly mutilated, and those of the officers stripped of nearly all their clothes. One of the drays was found where the escort had leftit, but the other had been driven off, which contained a quantity of flour, potatoes, and groceries. The oilier dray was subsequently seeu being driven up to Kaitake, on the spur of Ihe ranges. Dr Hope's horse had galloped towards town and was caught by the escort. This fearful tragedy cast a deep gloom over the whole settlement, Dr Hope was rising in his profession, and had only lately received a staff appointment. Lieut. Tragett was a 8.A., and the only son, we believe, of the Rev. T. H. Tragett, of Romsey, Hampshire, England. This gentleman was a great favourite in his regiment, and his untimely and fearful end is deeply and poignantly felt by his brother officers. The two sergeants and the privates were good and gallant men, and their loss will be no less felt by their comrades ; one who new them well said — " There were not six better men in the regiment." Sergeant Ellers was the senior Color Sergeant in the regiment, and Kelly had five medals. Precautions were immediately taken in town for tlve safety of its inhabitants. The alarm guns were fired from Marsland Hill, and messengers despatched into the country to bring into town all who were out on their farms and nt work in the bush. A Gazette was published calling out the Militia for actual service, and warning people not to go beyond the Omata Stockade. At nightfall 200 Volunteers and Miliita were told off for duty at the blockhouses and for patrols, and at 7 p.m., were marched off to their respective post. The military in garrison were marched off for particular service, and the Mounted Artillery corps told off duty during the night. His Excellency the Governor and the General returned to town in the afternoon ; and late in the evening the bodies of the murdered men arrived, and were conveyed to the hospital.

Tuesday, otu May.— Military movemeuts have been made to-day at the Pouloko redoubt, and the troops have marched to Oukura and taken up a position on native land, where they are constructing a redoubt No natives have been seen. An inquest on the bodies sat to day, at the Military Hospital, and after hearing the evidence of several witnesses, adjourned to Thursday next, when evidence from Tataraimaka of some who are supposed to have escaped back to the camp will be heard. No communication bus beeu had with Tataraimaka. A law people have been permitted to day to view thp bodies of the murdered men, which present a most horrible spectacle. The following is a description of the wounds given by Dr Mackiunon, the medical witness on the inquest: — Staff-Assistant Surgeon W. A. Hope, M.B.— Gunshot wound through rij»hfc shoulder, penetra-. ting both lungs as far back as left side near the ! spine, where ball remains under skin j tomahawk cut, over left side of head, and deep spear wound through face and upper jaw. Lieut. T. H. Tragett, 57fch Regfc.— Gunshot wound through right side of chest, bullet found ' under body this morning ; gunshot wound through left thigh — no other wound. tJolor-Sergoant Samuel Ellers, 57th Regfc. — Shot through head and speared through abdomen. Sergeant Samuel Hill, 57th Regt.— Gunshot wound through right side of abdomen, both arras smashed by bullets, ball through head, the. integuments of right side of same all . burnt by

powder, the muzzle of gun must have been hel * close to the part ; head tomahawked and speared through as well. Private Edward Kelly, 57th Regt.— Shot through both thighs and abdomen ; head gashed completely open in front and behind by tomahawk ; another deep tomahawk cut across left hand at wrist. Private Bartholomew McCarthy, 57th Regt. — Shot through right hip, two tomahawk cuts over forehead ; back of right side of head speared. Private John FJynn, fi7th Regt. — Shot through right arm and same side of chest, and through left forearm and thigh, and gunshot wound on right side of head, penetrating brain ; musket must have been held close to head. Private William Banks, 57th Regfc. — Shot through right knee and left thigh ; four terrible tomahawk cuts through back and right side ot head ; index finger of right hand all but severed, as also middle one, by tomahawk ; the man ha« evidently raised bis hand to protect his head. Mr Tragett must have died iustantly, but Dr Hope, from the appearance of his countenance, stiuggled hard with his brutal assailants. There is no doubt that all were shot down by the first volley, and those who were not killed outright were at once despatched with the tomahawk or its spear handle. Several natives from the North in town to day. Mr Tragett's horse was so badly hurt, his leg being broken by a bullet he was shot. The natives account for the murders of yesterday, that the Southern natives having found that Waireka and Tataraimaka have been occupied by the troops in spite of their word that it should not be, and having waited in vain for signs from the tribes, and being ivhakama (ashamed), determined to begin themselves and endeavor to bringabout a war in that manner.' It is said, however, that the bulk of the natives will consider their proceeding a \ kokurtt, iie., murder, and will not assist them, which remains to be seen. The families ouif.de the town have comeinto town to-day, and me Bell Block settlers moving into the stockade. The entire white population are now within the line of blockhouses.

Wednesday, 6th May» — This morning at 10 o'clock the Militia and Volunteers paraded on Poverty-square for inspection by MajorGeneral Cameron. He addressed them as follows : — " I have called you together to-day to express to you my gratification in having you under my command. I feel quite sure you will do your duty as soldiers and be obedient to orders. The number of men required for the blockhouses and patrols has made the duty severe; but I hope shortly to have reinforcements, when your present press of duty will be lesseued. I see that some of .you will want some drill, and you will have to attend parades pretty often in order that you may become efficient men in the field." There was a good muster of the Militia and Volunteers, and arms and am munition were served out to those who were not supplied with them, The duties for the night having been told off, the men were dismissed. No news from Tataraimaka. A native in a red coat and a gun with a bayonet fixed (no doubt cine of the rifles taken from the murdered men) is to be seen daily on guard at Kaitake on the spur of the ranges. Two muskets were fired last night between the Poutoko and the redoubt at Oakura,no doubt from prowling natives. The Abeona, from Raglan arrived to-day. The captain reports that the Upper Wuikatos had driven of all the Europeans, had taken all the native women and half caste children living with the Europeans, and that 600 Wnikatos had left for Taranaki, after expression their intention to fight and slaughter immediately on their arrival in Taranaki, Immediately this was known, a deputation of settlers waited on the Native Minister, Mr Bell, who asked him if it was true that the Government intended to take into theiv confidence those natives who have been hitherto in arms against us, such as TamiUana and others, and urged the Government to forbid all intercourse with the natives within the lines, thus preventing any treachery and the spread of information to the enemy. Mr Bell informed the deputation that he would see his colleagues on the subject, and requested them to see him again shortly. Thursday, 7th May. — The funeral of the murdered officers and men took place this morning. At 1015 o'clock the procession moved Irom the Military Hospital, and was attended by all the military and inhabitants of New Plymouth who could possibly be present. The bodies of the officers were carried on two Armstrong guns, drawn by 8 horses, the colors of the 57th Regt. covering their coffins. The bodies of the sergeants and privates were also carried on two gun carriages drawn by horses, and the firing party consisted of 50 men under Lieut. Waller, 57th Regt. The officers of the 57th Regt. followed immediately behind the bodies of their late brother officers, and the Brethren of the Mount Egmont Lodge of Freemasons, who attended to pay their last tribute of vespect to their lute Brother Tragett. The bodies of the men were next in procession, followed by the widow and family of Flynn, and several women of the Regt. ; these were followed by. his Excellency the Governor and staff, the General and staff, and the officers of the different regiments. The Artillery Corps, the Royal Engineers, the men of the 57th, 65ih, and 70th Regiments, the Militia and Volunteers, with their officers, and several gentlemen of the public departments, made up the line of procession. The Band of the 07th, who for the purpose of attending were relieved from duty at the outposts, played the solemn and affecting strains of the Dead March in Saul. On arriving at St. Mary's Church, the bodies of the officers and tlnee of the men (Protestants) were conveyed into the Church (the five coffins placed down the uisle) where the Burial Service was read by Archdeacon Govelt, assisted by the Rev. H. H. Brown. They were then carried to their lastresting place, at the foot of the graves of Capt. Strange, 65th Regt., Lieut, Jackson, 40th Regt., and Lieut. MoNaughten, R.A., who were killed during the war in 1860-61, and all laid side by side in one grave. The usual salute was fired over the grave, and the procession moved on to the Public Cemetery at the Henui, where the three remaining bodies -vere buried in one grave by the Rev. Father Pertius. It was altogether a' most imposing and solemn ceremony, and one which will be long remembered by those who witnessed it. All the places of business in the town wera closed, and the flags &t Marsland Hill, Mount Eliot, and on board of H.M.S.S. Eclipse (which arrived early this morning from Manakau) were half mast high.— luformation bus been received from Tataraimaka, we believe by signals, that ten men comprised the party attacked on Monday, and that one man, named F. Kelly, had arrived in camp slightly wounded in the hip, who escaped by a miracle. Another man named Rae, a corpora), is missing, and it is believed he was badly wounded and crept away into the bush and has died, or been found and despatched by the natives. We also bear that the men all had their rifles excepting Private Banks, and each had 40 rounds of ammunition—these are all in the hands of their murderers. We are also informed that the natives have been reinforced and are building a pa at Kaitake and digging rifle pits, An attempt was made last night to shoot a sentry atOaktna but the natives failed in their attempt. The Eclipse left for Manttkau at noon, under steam and sail, and is to return immediately with reinforcements. The evidence of the wounded man Kelly has been received by telegram from Tutaraimaka, and we hope to procure it in time to publish it in this issue. The coroner's inquest has not terminated. Fbidat, Bth May. — We have by way ; of Mataiiawa intelligence received there on the

' day of the massacre, that the natives concerned in it were of the Patukai (Warea) and Upokomoto hapus of the Taranaki tribe— the veryj; same as were concerned in the ambush we re-.|. ported last week. — We received this morning the following . "■•-, .-,..■ . Statement of the Survivor by Telegram. prom Tataraimaka.' ;-•'■■'■ Private F. Kelly stated — I was one of the escort that left Tataraimaka. When we, got to the Wairau stream we were fired at from the scrub about 20 yards from us. Dr Hope and Sergeants Ellers and Hill fell. Returned lire and extended. We were then surrounded by about thirty maories. At last only three of us left alive. Went to the sand hill with a flag of truce. No notice taken of it — came back — found Mr Tragett dead and Private E. Kelly badly wounded. Retired firmg — followed some distance by the maoris—h id, and was picked up by rhe party from Tataraimaka.

The following extract is from the New Znalander of Tuesday last — (the date should be observed.) It will be seen that it draws its information from " those who have better means of arriving at the truth and who have no interest to serve by distorting it." "Nevertheless we believe that notwithstanding what appears in the Taranaki Herald, all, in so far as the Native question is concerned, proceeds quietly and satisfactorily. There was. a report of an "ambusb," of certain Natives of lbs Tarar.aki tribe having been posted on the road to Tataraimaka, with the intention of be* ginning the war by a murder, but nobody was murdered or molested, and those who have better means of arriving at the truth,, and who hare no interest to serve by distorting it, doubt the whole story."