A—No. 15

PAPERS RELATIVE TO ESCAPE OE

4

Proceedings of tho Hauiiau Prisoners who surprised and took possession of the Eedoubt, Waitangi, Chatham Islands, on Saturday, 4th July, 1868. About 2'30 p.m. there were about fifty prisoners of war in the redoubt, and a considerable number outside. I asked Corporal Marshall what they were waiting for (Constable Mullooly asked the same question), and he told me that they were going to carry flour as soon as the boat came ashore from the " Eifleman." I then remarked that it was too wet for them to land flour, and that they had better go up to the pa and wait till they were wanted. He said he would go and see about it, and told me to keep tally of any flour that might come up during his absence. He had gone about ten minutes when an elderly Maori standing near the barrack-room door muttered something, and immediately I was seized by some Maoris from behind and thrown on my back. I tried to regain my feet, but was shoved back again by two Maoris who were in front of me. At tho same time, a Maori who was at my side drew a tomahawk from under his blanket and raised it as if to strike me, when. one of the others said " Kaore," which I knew meant "no" or " don't." Then two of them said to me " Kaore the fight, kaore the pukaru;" so seeing resistance was in vain I submitted quietly to be bound hand and foot. They then put me on a cot. On looking round, I saw Constable Hartnett lying on his cot, with a fearful gash in his face (which I at once presumed was a tomahawk wound), and to all appearance dead; also, Constable Johnson, ljing on the floor, bound hand and foot; and likewise Constable Cotter. In the north end of the barrack room, which is partitioned off with canvas Eobcrt Hardie, one of the old guard, who had permission to live in the redoubt, was bound hand and, foot. This I know as I spoke to him. When we were tied up, there were two Maoris left to guard us, and several came in and out looking for caps and other ammunition. On looking out of the window beside the cot upon which I was lying, and which commanded a view of the barrack square, I could see Constable Mullooly tied and lying in the drain. A few minutes after this they brought him into the barrack room; the barrack gate was shut and the square was full of Maoris, who were fitting themselves with belts, &c, handed to them by the Maoris in the magazine ; others were packing the ammunition in bags ; several were on the parapets and at the gate, with loaded rifles and bayonets fixed. About this time the gate opened and I saw Captain Thomas enter, and I could see Constable Hemmington a short distance behind him. As soon as Captain Thomas entered (I think the words he said were, " What does all this mean?" or words to that effect) the Maoris at the gate fell back a pace or two and came to the charge. Captain Thomas turned to go out again, when I heard the discharge of one or two rifles. I saw Captain Thomas fall on the bridge, and felt sure that he was shot; they dragged him inside the gate again, but there was such a crowd round him I could not see what they were doing to him for more than a minute, when I saw them carrying him towards the barrack-room door. I could see he was tied. They brought him inside and put him in the room beside Hardie ; a minute or so after they brought in Constable Hemmington and placed him inside the barrack room, near the door. They then handcuffed Captain Thomas and took him out of the redoubt. About ten minutes after they brought in Dr. Watson, tied his hands behind his back, and put him on one of the beds. About a quarter of an hour after this the Maoris marched out of the redoubt, and in about another quarter of an hour I saw Mr. James Poujome (a civilian whom the Maoris had not bound) and Browne, at the redoubt gate; they both came in and untied us. They then went down to the prison to relieve those there. T. P. Mltbhead. P.S.—I forgot to state that the Hauhaus had prayers in tho barrack square two or three times. T. P. M. Chatham Islands, 11th July, IS6B. I was on the beach about 3.50 on the 4th instant, when M. Hennessey, late bugler to the Chatham Island Guard, came to tell me the Hauhaus had taken possession of the barracks. I immediately ran towards the barracks; saw the Hauhaus armed with rifles. I asked them what they were going to do ; they answered, they were going to take the vessel " Eifleman," and go to New Zealand. They ordered me to go away when on the beach, if not they would sho>t me. I immediately went to the Courthouse and informed Captain Thomas of the affair; he (Captain Thomas) ran up to the barracks; at the same time Mr. Beamish called me to assist him, as about six Hauhaus were binding him ; I went to him, but could render no assistance, as they served me the same and took me to gaol. GrEOEGE SeIiWOOD, Private, Armed Constabulary.

Statement of tho IIAUHAtr Peisonees' Beeak-ottt on the Eedoubt at half-past two o'clock on Saturday, the 4th July, 186S. Being allowed to remain in the redoubt I was witness to the rush made on the guard by the prisoners of war ; they began to come into the redoubt about two o'clock, and to the best of my belief there was about fifty of the prisoners in the guardroom, and about twenty in the square. Te Kati, the chief, came into the guardroam with firewood, about five minutes before they made the rush, and he came to me and said " Plenty of rain, Bob," and I said "yes." After that he went out of the redoubt, and 1 saw him bringing in a armful of firewood, and he took it into tho orderly-room, and shortly after that he came from there and he give the signal for the prisoners to break out, and them that was in the square made a rush for the magazine, burst open the door; I saw a key in one of their hands, and I saw them rush on four of tho guard; they were standing among the prisoners at the time I was standing at the door of the guardroom apart from them, and I saw one of the prisoners lifting his arm and he had a tomahawk in his hands, and I saw him give a blow on M. Hartnett, and he fell on his back; I only saw him give him one cut with the tomahawk, and just at that time I was seized by four of them, and they put me on the ground and tied my hands and feet with flax rope ; I don't remember of seeing or hearing anything after that time. I saw Captain Thomas dragged into the place where I was lying; and he said "Is that you, Hardie?" and I said " yes ;" he asked me if I knew who was on guard to-day, and I told him. That all I remember of. Robert llardie, Carpenter.