AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 275, 7 June 1865, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES AT OPOTIKI. (From the Southern Cross. 27th May.) H.M.S. Eclipse arrived in harbor yesterday at noon, from a cruise on the East Coast, whither she had been despatched to attempt the capture of the murderers of Mr Volkner, and ascertain whether it was true, as reported, that Kereopa bad been taken, and was being kept a prisoner at Opotiki. We regret to say that the Eclipse has not been successiul in capturing any one concerned in the murder at Opotiki, and it would seem that Kereopa is not there at all. The result of the cruise shows most indubitably that the natives at Opotiki are still wholly under the influence of tbe pai marire, and are not inclined'to return to friendly relations with us by giving up, or driving from amongst them, the emissaries of Te Ua. The Eclipse sailed from Auckland on Friday, the 19th inst., having on board Mr Fulloon, Government interpreter, and the native Tiwai, who i- so well known in connexion with the affair at Opotiki. The vessel arrived off the Whakatane Point on Saturday morning, where communications were entered info with the Ngatiawa there. Early on Sunday morning the Eclipse sailed for Opotiki, where she arrived at eight o’clock the same morning. There was naturally some hesitation felt about going on shore i hut Tiwai, seeing some men on the beach who displayed a white flag, ex-

pressed his willingness to venture, and, Laving been put ashore, went up to the settlement. He returned in the afternoon. Shortly Captain Freemantle ordered four boats to -be manned, with the design of landing, surprising the natives, and capturing some of the murderers of Mr Volkner, who, it had been ascertained, were living there. The boats contained in all 47 men and 12 officers, under, the command of Captain Fremantle in person. It is said that the beach was made and the men landed without the Maoris discovering them, but however that may be, the attempt to surprise proved a failure. Very likely the natives suspected the possibility of such an event, and were on the alert; for the party, soon after landing, found, not only that they were discovered, but that they were opposed. Of course it was at once seen that the object of the expedition was frustrated, and an immediate retreat was begun. Indeed there was some risk that the men would be cut off from the boats, it being found that an ambush was laid for this purpose. The Maoris opened a brisk fire, but fortunately with little effect, only one casualty having occurred amongst our men—a corporal of Marines received a gunshot wound in the arm. It is stated that two Maoris were killed fay the fire of the Eclipse’s men, one of them being a chief called Hakarariki. With the exception mentioned above, the retreat to the boats was safely effected. It being evident that nothing more could be done at Opotiki, the Eclipse weighed anchor, for Te Kaha, were she lay till Tuesday morning,, at eight o’clock. Prom Ta Kaha she went to a place called Waihou, where Captain Freemantle and Lieutenant Boughay landed, and had an interview with the famous Patara. Leaving Waihou on Wednesday morning, the Eclipse went to Omaio, where Wiremu Kingi came on board and informed Captain Freemantle that Ephraim, the half-caste, who put the rope round Mr. Volkner’s neck, was in the neighborhood. It was resolved to attempt his capture by surprise in another way from that adopted at Opotiki, but unfortunately it bad no better result. Tiwai and two of the ship’s boys went ashore, the boys being clothed with blankets to disguise them as Maoris. A short time after they had gone ashore, a shot was heard, and Captain Freemantle landed with some men to give aid. They found that Ephraim had been captured by Tiwai and his assistants, but had managed to get away again. While being dragged down to the beach, Ephraim made a sudden efibrt, and and shook off his captors. One of the lads immediately fired his pistolfat him, but missed, and he avoided any further shots by darting in amongst a crowd of women and children, who had by this time assembled. The Eclipse then went back to Te Kaha, which she left for Auckland on Thursday. Some stay was made at White Island, where many of the officers landed.

MR T. A. WHITE

To the Editor of the SoutJiern^Cross. SIE, —I perceive in your issue of this morning, that some doubt still exists in the public mind as to the fact of Mr T. A. White being on board the ill-fated schooner Eate Williams. I can certify that he went on board the Eate Williams at Waiapu (East) Coast) on the 18th March, and with the decided intention of going in her to Auckland ; but my impression is that she has gone down with all hands. Yours, &0., John C. SesiieAuckland, May 26, 1865. At the Compensation, Court yesterday, during the examination of claimants to the Wairoa block of confiscated laud, Inoka, a returned rebel, was called upon to give credence. Mr Turton, Crown Agent, observed that there was a feeling amongst the natives that he should not bo examined. Mr Crawford, in answer to the Court, said in the law of evidence there was nothing to prevent Inoka from being examined; but of course the Court would consider what value they would place upon his testimony. Mr Fenton said he did not see why Inoka should not be examined. The Court had no power to exclude his evidence. In the Resident Magistrate’s Court they had a discretionary power of receiving or rejecting a certain class of testimony. He thought it very unwise and wrong that evinence should be received or rejected at the caprice of a presiding magistrate; and that the law ot evidence should be taken as carefully laid down for their guidance, Inoka was about being sworn, when he was asked if he was a Pai Marire. He answered in the affirmative, with a scornful smile on his countenance. He repeated the answer. Mr Turton stated that Inoka had told him on the previous day that he belonged to the Pai Marire, but he (Mr T.) thought he was merely jesting. Mr Fenton ordered the “ dusky fanatic” to go away, at the same time observing that he was a lunatic. Inoka left the Court laughing, and evidently not displeased at the compliment paid him by the Chief Judge. Inoka had been residing at the Thames, and was brought by Mr James Maokay to Auckland as the bearer of some overtures from Mohi’s people to the Governor. A somewhat singular disaster occurred in Queen-street last evening, about six o’clock, at the premises known as the Beehive, occupied bv Mr Moginie, toy-dealer, and belonging to Mr T. G. Shepherd, of Mangapai. The recent improvement effected by the City Board at the upper end of Lower Queen-street, by filling up, and causing the street to have a gradual rise from WePesleystreet to Wakefield-street had rendered it necessary for the shops on the west side to be raised considerably above their present levels- Several of the shops had been successfully elevated to a corresponding height with those on the east side of the street, and for the past two days about a dozen workmen have been employed under Mr Jones, contractor, in attempting to place the “ jßeehivh” on a level with the neighbouriug buildings. By about five o’clock last evening the building had been raised to the required height; a slight movement only being required to place it on the square with the adjacent buildings and the street, in attempting, however, to put the finishing touch to tie work, the workman, it is surmised, owing to the darkness, struck one of the supports, and the building fell with a loud crash. The back portion

of the house appears to have sank first, leaving the front side elevated. Moat fortunately none of the workmen were injured by the accident, and the contractor had a very narrow escape. At the time of the occurrence the shop was locked up and the shutters fastened, the occupants having closed the premises at dusk and retired to their private residence. Owing to the shock of the fall the shutters were burst open and thrown into the street, and the window fraims were smashed. The whole of the goods, principally toys, on the shelves were thrown down and broken, and the building itself—being of wood, with corrugated iron sides and roof—is twisted so much that it is fearen that it will have to be rebuilt. The accident cannot be ascribed to inexperience in the work, as Mr Jones, the contractor, had previously raised the adjoining premises occupied by Messrs Colins and Carey. We could not ascertain last evening the amount of damage sustained, bnt we understand a survey is to be held to-day. A settler at Mangawai sends us the following particulars of a fatal accident: —“ I beg to inform you that a melancholy accident occurred here on Sunday night last, 28th instant. Joseph Elliott, the contractor for the ferry to Bentley’s Point, left Mr Mooney’s at ten o’clock to return home in his boat across the river. No more was heard of him till next day, when his boat was found moored down the river, opposite Mr Mclnnis’s boatbuilding establishment—the oars laid in, and just as he would have moored it at his own house. It is believed, in the dark, he mistook his way, and, seeing a house, moored his boat and stepped ont, supposing it to be shallow water, but unfortunately it was the deepest channel in the river. His body must have been carried out to sea, as the tide was running strong at the time.”