TAUPO.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 154, 23 January 1869, Page 5

TAUPO.

Attempted Massacre of Friendlies. A private letter from Taupo, dated 24th nit., appears in the Hawke's Bay Herald. A trigonometrical survey of the Northern Island is being conducted under the auspices of the General Government, and a survey party, under Mr. Henry Mitchell, has been for some time at work in the Taupo district. On the 23rd they received a letter from Poihipi say it was exceedingly dangerous to continue work, and warning them in to Oruanui for security. The survey has accordingly been stopped for the present. Mr. Tetley’s sheep, in accordance with a notice given by the Hauhaus, have been driven off' the Tatua. Following these occurrences is the fact of the attempted massacre of a canoeload of friendlies, who, on the invitation of Manuera and some other Hauhaus at.Poukawa, were on their way to have a korero at that place—the kainga near Grace’s mission station. It appears that Hauraki, one of the Hauhau chiefs, had laid an ambuscade of some 50 men, who hid behind some rocks, and on the approach of the canoe fired into her. In the canoe were Hohepa Tamamutu, Hare, Paurihi, Kingi Abraham, and others, consequently great excitement exists among the few friendlias that are around. Hauraki is the chief who is blamed for the treachery.

Paora Hapu reports that it was expected the Arawas would attack, the Ureweras and Te Kooti, and that he and his people were hastening off to assist the friendly tribe.