THE Wellington Independent "NOTHING EXTENUATE; NOR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." SATURDAY MORNING, 29th JULY. THE HAILS HAUS ON THE EAST COAST.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2238, 29 July 1865, Page 3

THE Wellington Independent "NOTHING EXTENUATE; NOR SET DOWN AUGHT IN MALICE." SATURDAY MORNING, 29th JULY. THE HAILS HAUS ON THE EAST COAST.

Fnoai two different sources we have received very disastrous rumors as to the proceedings of the Han Hau fanatics on the East Coast. i Dr Young, who arrived here in the sa. Egmont from Napier on Thursday last, gives us the following information. "Some time ago ho left Auckland as a passenger for Napier in a coasting vessel named the Success, which on Thursday week, the 20th hist, lay becalmed in Hick's Bay, on the East Coast. H.M. s.s. Eclipse was also there, and sent a boat to board the vessel, lii the conversation which ensued between the officer of the boat's crow and the captain of the vessel, the former stated that on the same moruing the Eclipse had been firing at the pa occupied by the Hau Haus, and that an engagement had taken place between a large bod} r of them —numbering 800, under Kereopa — and Morgan's men, who only mustered about 80. The Hau. Haus were victorious, and nearly thirty of the loyal natives were killed. The most startling part of the narrative is that Mr McLean, the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, was taken prisoner by the Hau Haus during the engagement. He was on shore when the fight took place, and shared the disastrous fortunes of our allies." Such is the statement made by Dr Young as taken down in writing at the time, which ho asserts is an exact reproduction of the information given by the officer of the Eclipse. Our informant adds that the Success, with himself on board, proceeded on her passage to Napier, and unfortunately ran on a ledge of rocks at the bar there, so that she had to be abandoned after some of the cargo had been saved. He afterwards went to Napier and came on to Wellin gton in the s.s. Egmont. So many false statements constantly gain currency, that the utmost caution is necessary in receiving them, and we publish the present one precisely as it has reached us. It is, however, noteworthy that the Hawke's Bay Times gives a story very similar, which it has learned from Native sources. Iv nearly every point both statements are alike — on the fact that a battle had been fought, and that 30 of Morgan's people had been killed — though the Native version is not that Mr McLean has been taken prisoner, but that he, Mr Biggs, and the Chief, Morgan, had been killed. The Herald, which is a very reliable journal in Native matters, discredits the whole affair, and argues that as the Zillali was off Awanui, on the 17th, had anything of tho kind occurred, tho news would have boon brought to Napier by tint vessel. It moreover urges that as this Native news is said to have arrived on the 22nd, it was simply impossiblo between that and the earlier date for any news from tho Scat of War to have reached Napier overland. If there was only tho native report to go upon, then tho Herald's argument would seem almost conclusive, but it is somewhat striking that a gentleman arriving from Heck's Bay, who had been there on the 20th— three days later — should allege that he received similar information from an officer of the Eclipse. We sincerely trust tho intelligence relative to tho capture of Mr M'Lean may prove to be unfounded, but till the arrival of tho Queen from Napier, now hourly expected, it is impossible to speak with certainty. As rumors of all kinds haro been in circulation relative to this, during the last two days, we have thought it better to state how they have arisen, leaving our readers to accept them ■with due reservation. That tho Hau Haus are gaining head, no one can doubt who peruses tho account which we publish to-day from the Auckland papers of an engagement which has taken place on theEastCoastin the Uriwora country between them and the Arawas. Outrnatchod in strength and numbers the loyal Arawas have suffered defeat, and five of their chief men, who fell into the hands of Eereopa, have

I syuonimous terms. Atrocity has its varieties, and the horrible murder of poor Volkuer is now followed by a deed at the thought of I which humanity shudders in repugnance. Surely it is time to make some more decided efforts for the suppression of a creed, the adherents of which, are guilty of such outrages- " The repression of outrages" is a part of the Ministry's policy, as expressed in the Governor's Speech, and none could be more flagrant than thoso of Kereopa and his followers. There is another reason why, if further action be possible, it should be taken. The Arawas are apparently unable to cope with the powerful force which their foes have brought into the field, and by the last reliable accounts are in great danger of being overpowered. It is hard that these men, who have fought against our foes, should not be helped, It is true we have given arms and ammunition, that a steamer and a few British volunteers have gone to their aid, j but ifc is worth considering whether something more could not bo tried, ere such valuable allies are worsted. Let us hope that the day is not far distant when should an oc- j casion like the present arise, we shall have a I Colonial Military Force ready to act at once in the emergency. At present affairs are in a transition state. We have not got rid of the Imperial troops, and we have not yet raised a small force of our own. Thus it ! happens that while thousands of soldiers stand idle — and while their presence in the Colony prevents means being taken to replace them, — murders like that of Volkner and flcwett are unavenged, and brave loyal i natives are left to fight without sufficient j help. I