THE UREWERA TRIBE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 656, 15 February 1869, Page 3

THE UREWERA TRIBE.

(From the Wellington Independent.) We learn that a letter has been written by the Government to several of the leading chiefs of the Urewera tribe on the subject of the help given by members of the tribe to Kooti and his band The letter shortly states the facts of Kooti's rebellion, from the time of the escaped prisoners, and the offer of free and peaceful passage made to them by the late Major Biggs, on condition of giving up the Government rifles in their possession, down to the capture of Ngatapa. It reminds the Uriwera that 'they have taken part in most of the fights against the Government, although their country has never been invaded or interfered with. It states that their boundary, as laid down by the Government Agent in 1865 has been respected, and there is no desire to cross it otherwise than in peace, but at the same time warns the tribe that they will be held responsible for the acts of its members should any ol them again come clown on murderous errands, such as thatoi Kooti at Poverty Bay. It asks them to declare their intentions plainly that the Government may know how to deal towards them. It recognises their bravery, but reminds them of the scantiness of their tribe and the inexhaustible numbers of the Europeans ; intimating, in conclusion, that the question of peace or war is in their hands, as the Government are prepared for either alternative. It will no doubt be remembered by our readers, that the Uriweras are a wild hill tribe occupying the shores of the Waikari Moana, a lake at the head of one large branch of the Wairoa, and the southern part of the mountain ranges and valleys which lie between Opotiki and Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, and Poverty Bay and the Wairoa in Hawke's Bay. The tribe was active against us in the Waikato land East Coast campagins, apparently from no motive but the love of war and adventure and the hatred of civilizaton ; for their rugged forest covered country could be coveted by no one, European or Maori, and certainly had never been trespased on or threatened by the colonists or the Government. In the last Waikato battle at Orakaa, the Uriwera and the Upper "Wairoa tribes under Te Warn were conspicuous and lost heavily. They renewed the strife at Turanga (Poverty Bay) and Wairoa in 1865, and were uniformly unsuccessful, losing their last light on the shores of their own lake, the Waikari Moana, to which they were driven back from their invasion of the coast country. From forty to sixty of them joined Te Kooti, and under him again lost at Karetu and Ngatapa, half or more of their number with a leading chief, Eangaiaho. It is now ascertained that a large part of the band detailed to do the butcheries at Matewhero was formed of this savage tribe. Their numbers are not large, probably not above 250 fighting men, but their country is so difficult of access, that it is much to be hoped that the colony may not have the task of following them into their fastnesses.

Boiling-down Establishment.—Several boiling-down establishments are now, or soon will be, in operation in tins province. A patent boiling-down apparatus will be shortly erected by Mr Bull at Rangitikei, and another by the Surplus Cattle Company in the Wairarapa. As it lias now been ascertained that a 501 b sheep will produce 25ib tallow in addition to hams and offal, it will pay to boil down wlmi the price of sheep is reduced to a certain figure. The quantity of scabby sheep, now infesting tho Wairarapa could be more beneficialy turned into tallow than be effectually cured of the scab. —Wellington Independent, 4th Feb. Flax-Duessing —We aro happy ■to learn that the flax-dressing machines recently imported from England will soon be in working order at Manawatu. We understand that two flax-dressing machines on an improved principle, have just beoa turned out of Mr E. Mills's foundry, one for Manawatu, acd one for Mr 11. Fitzherbert, at Wainuiomnta. No doubt now appears to be entertained that flax planting and dressing will yet become a profitable pursuit.—Wellington Independent, ;4th February.

Fatal Accident neae Point Eusseli,. —The New Zealand Herald, February 5, says : —One of those terrible accidents which some times occur in the bush and startle the dull monotony of the life of the outlying settler, occurred on Saturday last; in the neighborhood of Point Eusseli. A young man aged 19 years, named Charles Flower, who has only been resident a few months in the country, having arrived in Wellington from London in the Electra a short while before Christmas last, was working as one of a party of sawyers about seven miles above Point Eusseli. Flowers mate—whose name is Thomas Freeman — set off between 7 and 8 o'clock on Saturday morning last from the saw.pits to go to Point Eusseli for provisions in a canoe, in company with a man named M'Manus, also a sawyer. About 10 on Sunday morning they left Point Eusseli to return, and when about half-way up the river were met by a canoe containing the wife of M'Manus and a native constable, who informed them that Flower had been killed by a log rolling over him. Freeman and M'Manus at once made all hasto to the place where they lived, and not finding their mate they proceeded to the saw-pit, where they found the unfortunate man lying under a huge log, crushed to death, the log lying the whole length of the body. Death must have been caused instantaneously, and some time in the morning. It appeared to Freeman as if the deceased had been attempting to roll the log up upon the skids and that it had rolled back upon him before he had titno to check it. Wilson, another of the sawyers, rose the- log up whilst Freeman extricated the body j it was placed in MacManus's canoe, and conveyed to Point Eusseli Hotel, where an inquest was held upon it on Monday, before C. Mellsop, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of accidental death was returued. On that evening the body was conveyed by Freeman and MacManus to Queens Eedoubt r a distance of three miles, and interred in the burial ground there about midnight. We understand that it is the intention of Freeman to erect a plain wooden monument over deceased's grave. He was, we are informed, an educated man, bred for the bar, and of most respectable connections, and was much respected by all who knew him. On Sunday morning the deceased was heard working by some natives, who called to him to come, and get some food with them, but received no reply. The native wife of M'Manus went to the pit to procure bark for baking purposes soon after, and observed the dog sitting upon a large log, and intently gazing upon some object below. Upon nearer inspection she saw what had happened, and called the wife of AVilson, with whom she went and and called the native policemen. Deceased had relations in Auckland, and Freeman came down to town, and brought down the mournful tidings to his aunt, Mrs Flower, residing in Albert.street.

Attempted Suicide osr Board the Ruahine.—A passenger by the Ruahine from Wellington to Panama, named Courtney, attempted suicide while on the voyage. The Panama Star and Herald informs U 3 that the unfortunate man is a native of Ireland, about 55 years of age, a Catholic Missionary. On the afternoon of the 30th, Nov., he complained of a slight indiposition, and retired to his own room, and not coming up to supper as usual, the surgeon of the ship went down to call him, Finding no response to his knocks at the door, his. suspicions were aroused,, and the carpenter was ordered to force the door open,, when a horrid sight presented itself. The unfortunate man was found stretched out senseless, his throat cut from ear to ear in a most mangled manner, and his arm being also deeply perforated with a knife in an attempt to open an artery. He must have died from exhaustion very soon afterwards had he not been discovered; however, luckily, he was not so far gone as to bo beyond recovery, and his wounds being sewed up, his life was saved, though at first he made several attempts to tear them open, and the captain was obliged to confine him iu irons, to keep him from attempting to put an end to his existence. He his now in a fair way of recovery, and in full possession of his senses. He say 3 the attempt to commit suicide was caused by a peculiar dream he had a night or two previous. On examining his papers, drafts were found for £3,000 sterling, besides a large quantity of gold under his pillow. A will was also found of a very recent date, leaving all his effects to the Bishop of Lancaster, England. The unfortunate man is now at the Aspinwall Hotel, in this city, under medical treatment, and may possibly be able to prosecute his journey to England by the next steamer.'

Walter Thicker. —We understand that Major Edwards will proceed to Kangitikei, on Monday next, for the purpose of concluding the enquiry that is being made relative to this case, and expects to return to Porirua in about eight days. Du»iug his previous visit to Racgitikei, some twenty witnesses were examined before himself and Lieutenant Willis, the commissioners appointed for that purpose ; and we hear that there are about twenty more to be examined on this occasion.— Wellington Independent, 4th Feb. ■ A Grammatical Authority.—A member of Congress once said, " What the hon* gentleman has just asserted, I consider as catamount to a denial." " I presume,''" replied his opponent, " that the honorable gentleman means tantamount." " No, sir, Ido not mean tantamount; lam not so ignorant of our language S 3 not to be aware that catamount and tantamount are anonymous." —American Paper.