The Native Rebellion.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 347, 5 February 1866, Page 1

The Native Rebellion.

EAST COAST. (From a Correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross.) Opotiii, January 9. I can scarcely find language to express my feelings at the providential escape which it is now my duty to acquaint my friends and the public with ; and also to record the brutal murder of a friendly native belonging to the camp, Hotine (Johnson,) who was brutally murdered by the Hau-haus whilst on his way from hence to Whakatane. It appears that Captain Newland left the camp on the 7th to visit Whakatane, proposing to return the following day. He was accompanied by Eamuri, the female guide, who has for the last five mouths been residing in camp. Whilst they were leisurely riding they were overtaken by a native, who was riding most furiously, and though he was saluted by Eamuri, still nothing could be obtained from him. After riding past them for a short distance he returned at the same speed, which causing suspicion in the minds of Eamuri and her companion caused them to hasten on to Ohiwa, and cross without delay the river. This was fortunate for them, inasmuch as the same native was seen galloping in the direction of the ford; but the wretch was disappointed; they were out of the reach of danger, having crossed the ford.

Having made up my mind to go on to the Matata, and then forward by special native ray communications to you, via Tauranga, in company with Mr Page, of the firm of Page and Rayner, photographers, we sent our baggage on to a settlement on a coach, in charge of a friendly native, Raniera, in* tending to call for them on our way the following morning as we went along. Our intention was to have started at daybreak yesterday morning, but Sergeant Macdonald having been disappointed in not procuring a horse obliged us to remain until the afternoon tide, when we left the river about 4 p.m. We had not ridden more than a couple of miles on the beach when we were overtaken by a native, who came over some sand hills; he rode furiously past us, and reached the settlement where our luggage and Mr Page’s instruments had been sent the day previously. He remained there only a few minutes when he returned in company with another native, and though we spoke to them we did not receive any information We had not, however, proceeded much further when we perceived a native approaching us. He looked very fierce: still he desired me to return immediately with my friend, as the Hau-haus were covering the whole range of coast leading on to Ohiwa. At first I thought it was all a hoax, and persisted in riding on to the settlement, but I had no sooner got into the bay where Raniera’s settlement was, than I met a native who seized hold of the reins of my horse, and implored me in the most serious manner possible that I would not be obstinate, but to return at once to camp, otherwise I should be killed by the natives. I inquired of Raniera’s whereabouts, but the man looked at me in a most determined manner, saying, “ If you have no regard or value for your own life, I entreat you as a friend to return in order that you may be spared to your children.” With this I returned, but not until the man pointed to me to look at the Hau-haus who were descending upon us. Having joined our companions, we lost no time in returning to the camp, that we might acquaint Colonel Lyons, the commanding officer, of the position which the Hau-haus were holding. Major George, with a company of men, was sent out immediately, bat returned without meeting with the enemy. I have since heard that Hotine, who left yesterday morning, was murdered on the beach, about a mile further on than Raniera’s settlement. His body has been found; he had met his fate by the tomahawk. We have also been informed that the ambuscade which poor Hotine fell into was laid for us, Raniera’s party having made known to the Hau-haus our intention of passing that way on to Ohiwa; the ferry-man at Ohiwa was spared on condition that he would fetch Captain Kewland over and hand him over to

them to he butchered, but fortunately Capt. Newland became acquanted with, what had taken place, and took boat at Whakatane and reached here in safety this morning. I have lost all my papers and clothing, and Mr Page has lost all his instruments. January 13. Since I wrote you on the 9th instant, I have nothing to report further than the fact that the camp is beset on all sides by the Hau-haus, who have now become so daring in their exploits that they are to be seen nearly within rifle shot of our camp. Early yesterday—l believe at the dawn of day—some troopers, in charge of Lieutenant Macpherson, started in search of cattle for Commissariat supply ; and when at the distance of a mile from camp a native popped out of his ambush, and presented his gun at Far-rier-Major Duff, but fortunately it missed fire. In an instant afterwards he was not to be seen, having escaped and sheltered himself in an adjacent scrub. A diligent search was made for him, but he could not be found. This is only a daily instance of the position in which we are placed. Colonel Lyons has since the murder of Hotine, taken every precaution to keep a strict and vigilant eye over those natives who are residing in camp, under the false name of friendlies—that is, that portion of the Wliakatanes who have surrendered since hostilities commenced here.

The steamer St. Kilda, Captain Kennedy, arrived here yesterday with stores. She also brings with her Captain Percival, the Paymaster of the Forces. The timely arrival of these stores have given universal satisfaction, inasmuch as the forces have, for the past ten days, been on short allowance, having only on hand two days’ more at the time of the arrival. The steamer left again leaving the Paymaster behind. On the arrival of the Southern papers, and the notification of Captain Hussey’s having been killed whilst leading his gallant band into the field of strife and bloodshed being made known, the whole camp was plunged into grief, the like of which 1 have rarely met with since the campaign commenced. Captain Hussey was one of the senior captains of this expedition, and assistance being required at Poverty Bay, his company was selected to leave here in the early part of December last. He was much respected and esteemed by his brother officers, and by the non-commissioned officers in camp, for his kind, upright, and gentlemanly deportment, and also for his soldier-like bearing. A whaleboat came in here to-day from Whakatane, bringing us the overland mail. She also brings Hemi Kakatu, a friendly native, who resides at Ohiwa, who gives a graphic description of the plans and schemes which the Hau-haus had devised to intercept and slaughter those of us who were contemplating passing on the Bth instant along the coast. It appears from his story, that at an early hour on the Bth he left his settlement at the extreme S.E. arm of Ohiwa harbor, for the purpose of coming on to camp to put Mr Mair in possession of information of the conniving and treacherous part which our friendlies were taking with the Ilau-haus. On his arrival at the ferryman’s station he was fortunately unperceived by any one hut the ferryman himself, who went up to him and, in a whisper, told that he was “ a dead man,” and, pointing to some scrub close by, told him that a number of the Hau-haus were secreted there waiting for their prey. Hemi then asked him how it was that he was spared, to which he replied by saying that, on condition that his life should be spared, he was to agree to stand by his duties as ferryman, and that when Captain Newland should signal for his canoe he was to go over and fetch him without acquainting him of his danger, and then hand him over into their hands to he massacred. He also told Hemi that another of the Hau-hau party was waiting in ambush at the point of the cliff on the beach, near the turning spot going into Ohiwa, waiting for myself and Mr Page; who he-expected, as I was to have left early in the morning, must loug before then have fallen into their hands, and by that time been brutally murdered. Many other plans of the Hau-haus were disclosed, but Hemi, becoming uneasy for his position,

at once put spurs to his horse, and was in a very short space of time flying by the ambush of those savages, who, on perceiving him, opened fire; but it was too late. Hemi, after the first volley, was safe; and, as if his horse knew the danger to which the life of bis master was exposed, it nobly swam with its rider across this dangerous ford, and was within an hour after informing Captain Newland and his friends of their danger, which caused him to go to Whakatane, and come to camp by boat. Mr Page’s instruments and my valise have not been recovered. Raniera, the friendly native who took charge of them, at once fled into the arms of his Hau hau friends; and possibly is at this time amusing his friends with taking photographic views, and perusing my manuscripts, which are all contained in my valise. The body of Hotine has been buried by his friends at Ohiwa, the murderers having chopped it to pieces with the tomahawk.

The cutter Whitby came in last evening from Tauranga, with stores for the Commissariat. Capt. Pennefather, Lieutenant O’Callaghan, and Ensign Kendrick, are passengers hj her. No news from Wellington as to what is to be done with the prisoners.