AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 192, 16 September 1864, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

ESCAPE OF THE MAORI PRISONERS FROM KAWAU. [From the Southern Cross, Sept. 13.] The town was thrown into a considerable state of excitement yesterday by the report that the Maori prisoners, to the number of 200, the most of 200, the most of whom were captured atßangiriri, had taken Maori leave of their guardians, and had effected their escape from Kawau to the main land. This report was soon authenticated beyond all question of a doubt, as it was ascertained that it emanated from Mr. John White, the native interpreter, who had brought up the intelligence direct from the Kawau, at a late hour on the previous night, and who immediately conveyed it to his Excellency the Governor. We need hardly say that that prisoners were towed down from Auckland some two or three months ago in the Marion hulk, and landed on the Governor’s island, it being supposed by those who were responsible for their safety that it would be amply secured at this romantic and retired spot, besides giving them them the enjoyment of that liberty which they could not possibly enjoy on board the Marion. In other words we may say that it was thought that this was the best and most merciful way of disposing of the elephant we had caught. The old familiar exterior of the Marion —a relic of a style of sbip-buildingToreign to the present day—disappeared from the Waitemata, and with it the 200 brown candidates for the rustic felicity that was in store for them to the romantic Kawau. People began to think less of the prisoners of war, and although there are a few who would like to have seen them quarrying at Mount Eden, or mending our roads, the more thoughtful and sympathetic agreed that perhaps a better course could not have been taken. It appears that the prisoners, after their long confinement, were quite overjoyed at their release and at being allowed once more on terra firms ; and with that simplicity which they can so well affect, signified their pleasure at the leniency extended to them. They were distributed into two or three bodies, taking up their quarters on different parts of the island, and were comfortably housed, at least so far as their requirements demanded it. To carry out, however, a self-supporting scheme, and for the sake of the prisoners’ own health, they were required to employ themselves in the industrial pursuit of fencing and planting the land ; and to this occupation they took with considerable will. 'I hey were provided with all the requisite tools, a large proportion of which were already on his Excellency’s estate; and we understand that some of them had just completed the fencing preparatory to planting, and that others had actually commenced to plant. The Kawau, as moat of our readers are aware, is not far distant from the main land—probably not more than two miles, but this breadth of water intervening was considered to

be a sufficient guarantee, even if the prisoners desired to escape, that they would not be able to do so. Captain Krippner’s company of Waikato Militia had been relieved of the charge of them, no doubt much to the gratification of both parties, and the prisoners had an ample opportunity of going where they pleased within the sea-girt boundaries of Kawau. And hero, we may say, a mistake seems to have been made in relieving them so completely from control that there were only four Europeans absoluely left in charge of them, viz., the warden, the chaplain (the Rev. Mr. Ashwell), the interpreter (Mr. John White), and Dr. Ham. It was not likely the prisoners would disclose,any cherished plan of escape, and everything seemed to go on smoothly until Sunday morning last, wnen, at the request of the chaplain, the beii was rung for divine service, and Mr. Asbwell was ready as usual to exercise his sacred office. The energetic ringing of the bell, however, brought Mr. Asbwell no hearers, except Dr. Sam, and suspicions began to dawn upon the minds of the reverend gentleman and those of his companion that his congregation were either not punctual in their devotions or had made their escape. Tlie suspicion of an officer, in charge of the hulk, who had landed, being also aroused, lie made search for the prisoners, examined their houses, found them empty, and could see no traces of them about. H.M. s.s. Falcon was lying in the bay opposite the Governor’s house, and information was immediately conveyed to the commander, Captain Parkyn, that there was reason to believe that all was not right. It appeared that some of the prisoners had either eommencedfencingorcultivatingin the northern harbour of the island, and it being supposed that themain body had repaired thither, a boat was despatched by Capt. Parkyn, but no natives were seen, and on a further search it became evident that the birds had flown, and that the escape had been made between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Confirmation of this was soon obtained by the arrival of one or two settlers in a boat from the main land, who, as we have heard, were deputed by the friendly chief Patuono of Matakana, to inform the authorities that the prisoners had escaped during the night from the island and had arrived at a native settlement not much frequented, near Matakana, at an early hour in the morning. They also stated, we believe, that some of the settlers about there had been warned by Patuone that there was some danger to apprehend, and to be on their guard. On further examination it was found that the prisoners had taken with them all that they could carry, such as spades, tools, of every description, blankets, pannikins, and other useful articles, leaving behind them only i-a-dozen old blankets that were not worth taking away. Captain Parkyn immediately despatched one of the cutters belonging to the Falcon to Auckland, by which Mr. IV lute arrived at a very late hour on Sunday night, and at once gave full information to his Excellency the Governor on the subject. Orders were given yesterday morning for the Miranda to get up steani i which she did and sailed from the harbour about 11 o clock, a.m., with his Excellency the Governor and Mr. White on board, and in pursuit it is supposed of the fugatives— what steps will be taken to secure their capture have not, of course been made public. Jt is said that about the time the prisoners escaped, at least within 3 or -1- days of it, some Maori crafts were seen cruisingjabout the Kawau, and it is supposed that the escape was made by these means. It is quite possible that the main body of the prisoners mav have sailed direct for the Thames, as there was a fair north wind blowing on Saturday night. Landed aTtl'.e Thames they would be amongst their friends, and could with less diffieultyjoin Thompson, who would, no doubt, receive them with open arms. Some of the prisoners who may not have got passages to the Thames may have crossed over to tlie main land, or they may all have gone there; but at present it is idle to speculate upou their whereabouts beyond pointing to the fact that the message from Patuone is a sufficient proof that at least a portion of them have escaped to the North.