WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 100, 1 May 1847, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

H.M.S. Racehorse arrived on Monday evening last from Cook’s Straits with despatches for the Governor from theSuperintendant of'the Soot hern Province. The old brutal chief Rangihaeata, who has still a few desperate followers, perpetrated a most daring robbery on the morning ofSunday the 18th ultimo, the particulars of which we have published below. The old wretched out* law, with his band of about forty reckless natives, crossed over to Kapiti on Saturday night, and attacked the house of a Mr. Brown, who was alone in bed; and, after securing all the gunpowder they could lay their hands on, destroyed or carried away property from the station to ttie amount of about £SOO in value. The Independent observes i —“ When it is considered that Kapiti is more than three miles distant from the main land, and that in thus venturing across water, the rebel chief was i iskin’g all on the cast of a die, it will be admitted that no scheme is too improbable or too daring for the natives to attempt. Rangihaeata has again thrown down the gauntlet; has again defied the power of the British Government; and has again evinced a disposition not to relax in his efforts to destroy the power of the white man'in this district. The Government must now take possession of Manawatn. Unless this be done, no oulsettler can consider his life or property secure, and this feeling of insecurity will be productive of the worst consequences. The winter’s amusement, of the rebels, seems about commencing; we trust the drama will conclude with the capture of the entire body.” The Racehorse has been despatched fa Sydney, we believe, for a reinforcement of troops for the South. When they arrive, active steps are to be taken to secure Rangihaeata before the depth of winter. When the old leadei is once secured, let him be banished foi life from the country, and his misguided followers will soon scatter and seclude themselves amongst their tribes, and we shall hear no more concerning them.

DARING OUTRAGE COMMITTED BY . RANGIHAEATA.

(From the Wellington Independent, April 21.]

Early on Sunday morning last, the rebel chief Rangiliaeata, at the head of about forty well armed men, made a sudden and'unexpected descent upon Kapiti. He crossed the water from the. neighbourhood ofManawatu, in a large war canoe, previously provided,for that purpose. On landing, the rebels surrounded the premises of Mr. Brown, who was alone in the house at the time, asleep. Brown was aroused by Rangihacata, who was standing .over him, holding a tomahawk in a threatening manner. The chief said, “I will kill you.” Brown answered, “kill away, lam not afraid to die.” Rangihaeata then ordered him to get Up, saying, “ I hear you have a large quantity of powder in the house, and I must have it.” Brown, making a virtue of necessity, went out and unlocked, the door of the store room. The natives seized a half cask of powder, and, disbelieving Brown’s assertions that he had no more, commenced ransacking the house in every direction. A few minutes afterwards, one of the vagabonds found four flasks of fine powder, and this proved a signal for plundering the whole property. Expecting to find more ammunition, the natives went to work systematically, and handed the whole of the goods out of the house' on to the beach. They then took possession of a five-oared whale-boat, which they filled With plunder. They also destroyed a smaller boat, in order to prevent Brown from creating an alarm. During the time occupied ransacking, Rangihaeata told Brown, “ that the Calliope could not come out of Port Nicholson, as she was repairing damages.” After having made a clean sweep of every thing moveable, they made preparations for departure, having stowed the property in the whaleboat and canoe in a very scientific manner. The rebels obtained about 60 lbs. of gunpowder, three double-barrelled guns, six muskets, four bags of shot, a quantity of lead, carpenters’, blacksmiths’, braziers’, and other tools, tobacco, flour, blankets, and clothing, the property of Mr. Brown and his two sons. Not having room for the beds in the boat, they ripped them open, and scattered the feathers on the beach. For the same reason they threw a bag of flour into the water. The value of the goods stolen amounts to about £SOO sterling.

After the robbery, and when on the point of leaving, Hangihaeata informed Brown, that “ the act was the commencement of hostilities, and that from this he intended to prosecute the war.” The natives then raised the war cry, and as they made off shouted—to Wairoa! meaning Gillett’s place. Fortunately an accidental circumstance caused Hangihaeata to change his intention, observing a boat leaving Gillett’s place for Waikanae, and no doubt suspecting that the boat had been despatched for assistance, Hangihaeata gave chase, and cut the boat off from the beach, but without injuring the crew. His party then fired three vollies of muskets in defiance, and pulled in for the beach about three miles on the Otaki side of Waikanae. Here natives were assembled to convey the plunder, so that it is evident every necessary precaution had been taken by the rebel chief.

Mr. Brown arrived in town early yesterday morning, and at once made known the circumstance to the proper authorities.