MASSACRE AT CAPE MARSH.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 54, 10 July 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

MASSACRE AT CAPE MARSH.

The William schooner, Gi tons, Captain Rodd, last from Treasmy Island, which arrived on the Gtli Irom the trading voyage, collecting tortoiseshell, pearlshell, and beche-le-mer, brings intelligence ot the murder of two of her ship’s company, and eleven natives of Lifu, at Cape Marsh. The following extract from her log will! give all the particulars known of this unfortunate occurrence : Cape Mars!), (3th February.—At 11 a.in. underway, and sailed for I sabel leaving behind to cure beehe-le-mer two of the ship’s company and eleven natives of Leeloo, with one boat, six muskets, and provisions, Ac., for (wo months. Returned on the 3ist March. At sundown came to an anchor. \\ c wore surprised at no one from shore coining off, having Icit thirteen people ashore on the Gth February. April I.—At 6 a. m. the boa and four hands went a Lore to try and hear something of the missing people. Un arriving at the station found the home burnt down and every appearance of ti e people having been aitarked. Proceed to the native settlement, and saw four or five natives who appea-ed very shy. Coix d one cf them to the boat, who inlormed me that our people were all killed, haw'ng been attacked by natives from some island. .Not believing him I immediately made him fast, and seeing that he was trying to get. out of the boat winch was on shove, 1 pulled away' a short distance, and tho native: carried her down to the beach. Two of ray people then swam ashore, and brought the boat off', and proceeded to the ship with I ho natives I had made fast. At 11.30 a in., two boats went ashore with eleven hands, to try and get more particulars. When they arrived the natives took to the bush. Searched the houses and found a mini her of things belonging to the station—a plain proof they were all murdered by the natives. Immediately common ceil burning down then 1 houses and destroying.all their canoes, twenty in nurabe”, but could not get at the natives, they having taken to the bush directly the boats landed At sundown, returned to ship. April 2, 9 a. m—Sent the boats to try to find more proo and d : scovered (he bodies and several articles belonging to the station. Destroyed three more cones ; (hen returned to the sVp. April 3.—Got underway at 6 a. in. ; bound to the westward.