THE PAI MARIRES AT POVERTY BAY

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

THE PAI MARIRES AT POVERTY BAY

(From the Daily Southern Cross.) By the Sea Shell, which arrived yesterday, wa have received later new a from Poverty Bay. Captain Harris, of that vessel, reports that while at anchor at Turanga on Monday, the 20th March, he received a letter from Bishop Williams advising him to'clear out of the river in case of any hostile movement. On the same evening about sixty Europeans, men, women, and children, resident some little distance inland, came to Turanga, and stated that the pai marires had threatened their

lives; and Captain Harris very considerately took them on board that night, although it was very laie, and cruised about an til the morning, when ho again made for the harbor, and a boat and crew were sent on shore to ascertain if the news was more favorable. Being informed that all was quiet again, the settlers went on shore, and stayed at Captain Reid’s during the night, and returned to their homes on the next day. On Friday last they were again threatened, but not in a manner to cause the same alarm. It is also reported that the pai marires had reiterated their determination to have Bishop Williams, and that some had been caught prowling about his house at night. The latest news is up to Monday last, and It is more satisfactory. It is to the following eflect, —that the Poverty Bay natives had given the pai marires a certain time to clear out, and that that time having expired, they bad left in two parties, taking different directions. A number of f riendly natives had been sent, out to watch them and inflict summary chastisement upon them in the case of their attempting to return. If this report of the termination of their visit is correct, Bishop Williams and the settlers are comparatively safe ; but the friendly natives are so fickle that even now the news is not quite assuring. It is the duty of the Government, we think, to provide for the removal of the settlers on the first signs of an outbreak; and this can be only effectually done by having a vessel stationed at Poverty Bay. There have been plenty of warnings in this case, and there will be no excuse for the Government if a murder is committed before sufficient preventive measures are taken. The calling of the mail steamers is not an effectual safeguard, for all the mischief might be done in the intervals of their trips. We perceive that the St. Kilda, a vessel belonging to the Otago Government, has been chartered by the General Government to proceed to Poverty Bay, and it is to be hoped that she will be retained there until the danger has passed over.