The Late Lieut. Hetchinson, R.E.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 121, 11 August 1853, Page 3

The Late Lieut. Hetchinson, R.E.

A very painful report has been current, for the last week or two, that this young officer and his unfortunate companions might have been reseued from their unlimely doom, lull I'ur tin; liai-lciroiis indifference of tlie master of ou«: of the native roasting craft, who, seeing their cxlreiiiilv, and disregarding their cries for aid, passed on and left llieni to llieir fale. We have made anxious inquiry into the ti'iilli or falsehood of llirse allegations, and we regret to say that we fear the following narrative will lie found lint a 100 faithful statement of this unhappy ease. It is iininiicd llr.it a Maori vessel, named the 'Te liana,' To Wharaupo, master, whilst on her passage from Whangarnrii to A nekland, discovered Lieut. Iliilcliinsoii and his party clinging to the keel of the yacht,— that is when she ro.se upon a wave, for at other times she was altogether buried in the trough of a very boisterous sea. The cries of the sufferers for aid were distinctly heard, consequently the crew of the 'Te liana' must have been very near to their perishing fellow creatures. It is stated (hat the 'Te Tana' had shot ahead before her native crew were fully aware of the fatal .situation of Air. Hutchinson and his friends; but when their extremity became apparent, one of tlieni I'akerehn, much to bis honour, was most anxious to put about to the rescue of the sulVcrers; this, however, To Wharanpo inhumanly refused to do,saying, "No;wesball he capsized if we attempt it." The drowning men were thus left to perish, whilst the 'Te I'aua' hrouglil lip ill Okahu Hay, where the reception lie experienced from the Natives of that seltlemeiil, must have shown Te YVharaiipo in what estimation his barharitv was helil by his own countrymen, who desired him to get away as soon as possible lest evil should befall tlieni.

As it lias been our frequent ami gratefu duly lo record the bcnevolcnl and uiagnaniiiions conduct of our native fellow citizens in the preservation of life and properly from shipwreck, so we account il lobe no less our duty lo bold up to general reprehension such a heartless instance of inhumanity as this, whereby so many human beings were left to perish, vvlien lliey might so easily have been saved. Examples or the most generous devotion, oil the part of the native race, in rescuing and attempting to rescue Europeans from watery graves have again and again adorned our pages; and we have ever fel the most lively satisfaction in exhibiting their philanthropy lo the inhabitants of other lands. There are shades hoMcvcr, in the fairest pictures; and as no meed of commendation, and 110 measure of reward has been deemed 100 great iu recompensing Ihe active and energetic exertions of Maori benevolence, so, we are of opinion, there should be 110 shrinking, iu exposing and reprehending so grievous an instance or Maori inhumanity. We are informed that the natives to whom Tc Wharaupo's conduct has become known, have been deeply offended at it, and that he lias been censured by llietn in no measured terms. We hope, and believe, that as this bas been the first, so it will be the last, occasion we shall have to animadvert upon an act of such cold blooded indifference. Our sole motive for touching upon ibis unfortunate subject is to show our native brethren that whilst such ac(s cannot escape public indignation, we are far more anxious to proclaim their deserts than f> censure llieir backslidings.