POVERTY BAY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 249, 7 April 1865, Page 2

POVERTY BAY.

[COMMUXICATLD.] The first tidings of the approach of the hau-hau to Turanga was received on the Ist of March. The murder of Mr Volkner had not then taken place. A week afterwardc another messenger was sent to announce this horrible event, reporting at the same time that the hau-hau were proceeding direct to Turanga, and that their object a as to cut off all the inhabitants indiscriminately. There was much excitement among the natives in consequence of this intelligence, unclu strong detmiiination was manifested to resist the admission of these tenets. The only reason lor allowing them to come down tfco .valley of Turanga was the hope that Mr Grace might be with them, and- that his recovery might be easily effected. While, however, the body of the natives showed a proper feeling upon the subject, tnero were ctiirmany who, under the influence of national sympmhv, were ready to join these fanatics, their object was not the introduction of a new religion which none of them believe in, but it was to insinuate a new principle which promised to than the povar of resisting the English authority. The hau-hau were thus able to obtain a hearing from great numbers, who willingly believed their marvellous stories that their bodies are invulnerable, and that they can destroy without difficulty any power that is brought to bear against them. The leading chiefs expressed their determination that these fanatics should take their departure at once, but they contrived to hold their ground among those who favored them. There was no serious apprehension of mischief for some time. They saw plainly that the way was not open for them to act at Turanga as they had done at Opotiki, they therefore adopted another course :—— They tried to disarm suspicion, working all the while upon the intnds of the weak, until they had gained a firm hold upon many of the people. Then it was that Patara, the leader of the party, persuaded some of the leading chiefs to accompany him on a visit to several of the settlers for the avowed purpose of assuring them that there was nothing for them to fear, that the hau-hau had no thought of molesting any of the settlers. But this artful man now fancied himself so secure that he proceeded to use most offensive language to the settlers, threatening them with what the hau-hau would do if they attempted to take the precaution of arming themselves. This too was done in the presence of Turanga chiefs, who gave no reproof to Patara, and the prospect was quite enough to shake the confidence of those who for many years had lived without the slightest molestation. The result has been that a large number of the settlers have left their homes, and many of them may never return again unless there should be a great alteration in the state of the district.