Colonial News.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 377, 18 June 1856, Page 8

Colonial News.

TARANAKI,

Dreadful Murder.—lntelligence of a frightful murder having been committed at the Wade, Tuesday afternoon, reached town on Wednesday morning. The murder was perpetrated at the house of William Harris, by a man named White, well known in Auckland, and commonly termed Tinker White. The unfortunate victim was a Mrs. Fay, whose husband was drowned some time ago, and who has since cohabited with the man by whose hands she came to an untimely end- Recently, it would appear, she had left White's house in consequence of ill treatment, and, waiting for an opportunity to go to town, and take refuge in that of Harris. White ha 1 endeavoured to get her back, but failing in this, and prompted, it is presumed, by anirer at her refusal, he went to the house of Harris with an axe over his shoulder. He called the woman i'vot^ an inner apartment, and on her coming asked if she would come back to him. On her refusing to do so, he struck her on the back of the neck with an axe, and nearly severed the head from the body. The murderer then turned round to Harris, and s id, *|its your turn next,' He aimed a M'jw with the axe. which Harris, avoiding, ran out, followed by White with the axe, who struck him a heavy blow on the arm, but not so heavy as to prevent Harris closing with him. A struggle for life ensued, which ended in Harris, after sustaining severe injuries, getting possession of the deadly weapon. The murderer then fled, but was taken by A man named Reynolds, and conveyed to the tap-room of Jenning's public house, where he was retained in custody, and the police sent for,

pßy, the Overland Mail from Wellington we still have reports of the mustering of the Natives South, and Tuesday next is now dated as the day on which their march is to commence. These reports, for they are no more, appear «;o be but a repetition of those we have heard for weeks past, and deserving of little attention ; but other circumstances combine to give weight to the opinion held here by many of the well informed as to the disposion and intentions of the natives, that -their visit to Taranaki is determined on. That the natives of this district are impressed with this idea is proved by a communication which has reached them from Mokau. induced probably by some application for advice or aid. That having heard that Ngatiruanui intend settling upon the land at te Ikamoana intending to stop the communication by the Northern road, they (the Mokau.chiefs) will interfere to prevent, such proceedings and forcibly resent them, considering that the road belonging to the Queen is the highway of both Europeans and Natives, and should

not be obstructed. We give the statements cis they have reached us, and without com'Hnentary. The effect of this last communication may be effective to deter, or be fraught with further complications. Rumours have been rife for several days past that the march of the Ngatiruanui on this district commenced early in the week ;

and it was stated yesterday that, if not arrived, they were in the bush close at hand. We have not been able to gain any positive

information as to their whereabouts; but from the accounts of the native who brought the mail from Whanganui they actually did commence to move on Tuesday last; but what their numbers or what advance they have made on their journey, travelling by ■ another line, he had no oilier information to give. We understand that a letter from one of the chiefs of the hostile party has been received by the Government, but we are only partially aware of its contents, which however we believe to be important. — TaranaM Herald.