TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 203, 2 December 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

TARANAKI.

ANOTHER MURDER WITH MUTILATION. (From the Correspondent of the Southern Cross). Tabanaki, Nov. 29. Another murder of a very shocking character has been committed by the Mataitawa natives (William King’s). It appears that Private Hartley, of the 70th Regiment, had strayed some distance from the redoubt, and was shot down by a number of natives, tomahawked, and the head carried away. The headless trunk was found, and carried in. This occurred on the 28th November, when the man was out digging potatoes between Mataita va and Manutahi. A young settler named Richatfas, who was out in the bush, was met by a native and tolc] that it would not be safe for any European to go out in the bush afterwards. I should tell you that since our occupation of Mataitawa, a contract to fell the bush betwen Mataitawa and Manutahi has been entered into by tile settlers, to render the position free from danger; and jiMr. Richards is one of the contractors. This is his second escape from the natives since he began operations. h rom Tataraimaka I learn that nine natives, with one musket, from the Ngatimahanga hapu, have come in, or tried to come in. The story goes that Colonel Warre, who went with Mr. Parris to receive the penitents, told them that if they could not bring in any more guns they had better return to their kaivga again. A native told me that, the .arrangement is that Ngatimahanga should be allowed to remain as friendly at their own villages, and not reside at the Grey Institution, or elsewhere ; but while wo have natives talking of coming in at one end, we have natives shooting down and butchering unarmed men at the other end of the settlement. From Wanganui I Lear that the natives have positively stopped the road to Waitotara- Kara Tipene'disputes the right of Rio and others to sell the land, and the former is supported by Rcwi Maniopolo, Ti Kaokao, William Toitoi, and other influential Waikato rebel chiefs. Sir George Grey’s proclamation has been circulated, and they treat-it with contempt. They will fight at Ngatiruauui. All quiet up the rivir. M e may add to the foregoing, that we have been told by a gentleman familiar with the locality, that the place where the murder happened is well adapted for planting ambushes ; and that being so, we are like to hear of more Maori surprises. It is to be regretted above all things that they mutilated the dead. The following appeared in our second edition yesterday evening;— BRUTAL MURDER BY REBELS AT TARANAKI. By the arrival of the Ahuriri, we have received the following important intelligence, which reached Taranaki just previous to the departure of the steamer. On the 28th instant a soldier of the 70th Regiment was out digging in a field, about eight miles from the town of New Plymouth, in the direction of the Bell block, when he was fired at by the rebel natives, and wounded in the leg. They then chased the unfortunate man, and brutally mutilated bis body, cutting offhisbead and hands, and taking them with them. It is rumoured that another soldier has been wounded, but it is not authenticated.

There was great excitement at Taranaki. The Alexandra is due to-morrow from Taranaki, and will probably bring full particulars.