BAY OF ISLANDS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 25, 29 March 1845, Page 3

BAY OF ISLANDS.

It is our most painful duty to record the deaths of many of our brave countrymen in resisting the lawless murderous attacks of the natives of the Bay of Islands on the European inhabitants and their dwellings at Kororarika, and with still more poignant feelings of sorrow and indignation do we publish this commencement of murder, robbery, and outrage, of which none, however well they may imagine they know the native- character, or may be misled by false philanthropy, can forsee the termination. The Government brig Victoria arrived in this harbour yesterday afternoon, having left the Bay of Islands on Tuesday evening, bringing this disastrous intelligence. From the many conflicting, and perhaps exaggerated statements, and the very great excitement which such calamitous event has produced in this settlement, it was difficult to obtain accurate, full particulars ; but, we think, the following relation will be found to be a close approximation to the real facts. The natives, to the number of twelve to thirteen hundred fighting men, had given notice of their intention to attack the town of Kororarika, on Tuesday last, and the European inhabitants had concerted measures, with the military and the commander of H. M.S. Hazard, for their defence. However, on Monday evening, information was sent by the Rev. Mr. "Williams, that he had seen the natives, and there was no real occasion for fear, or to anticipate serious proceedings. — The inhabitants were therefore lulled into false security, for, at dawn, on Tuesday morning, the natives came down on the town of Kororarika, in various divisions, and a general attack commenced. Capt. Robertson immediately, with six marines and about twenty-five seamen, proceeded to a narrow pass, through

which about four hundred of the natives were advancing on the town, and most gallantly defended it for above half an hour, killing above forty of the natives ; but this brave, gallant young officer received some serious wounds himself from musket balls, and we fear his life will be sacrificed in this bloody strife with ruthless savages. The marines fought nobly with the seamen, the serjeant of the former was shot through the head, and out of the thirty seamen and marines, eight were killed. Of the military we refrain from relating the accounts reported, until better authenticated ; but merely state, that their commander left the block-house in charge only of three soldiers, an i proceeded towards the town. As soon as the natives ascertained that the soldiers had quitted this strong hold, they attacked it, killed the three soldiers, and took it. Most of the inhabitants were driven to seek refuge on board the Government brig and H. M.S. Hazard, and the Victoria has brought numbers who have lost all their property. The town of Kororarika was taken by the natives and of course ransacked. The house of Mr. Polack was blown up by some accident, and Mr. Torre, of the Dolphin, schooner, dangerously wounded. Such are the outlines of this most lamentable event, fraught, probably with most momentous consequences. While on the one hand, we would not unnecessarily excite alarm or fear, yet on the other, we caution the settlers not to be beguiled into false security. Although the surrounding and neighbouring tribes are at present friendly and peaceable with Europeans, yet we know well the native character, and we fearlessly and conscientiously assert that at the present day, a New Zealander, when wrought upon and excited by his own countrymen, is still the same treacherous, ungrateful, barbarous savage that he was years since. Policy and self-interest alone, dictate different conduct ; and this event is proof, for in the very abiding place of the Missionaries, their teachers, pastors and protectors, after thirty years of attempted civilization — they thus have shewn their gratitude — their fidelity in promises — their moral conduct — and their submission to law and order. — Heaven grant that there may now be an end of the mistaken, temporising pusillanimous policy of the Government towards the native race. — Auckland Southern Cross, March 15.

SERIOUS AFFRAY AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS. We deeply regret to say that the long expected collision between the Europeans and the Natives took place on Tuesday, the 11th instant, at the Bay of Islands ; in another column we give full particulars. Too much praise cannot be given to Captain Robertson, of H. M. sloop of war Hazard, his officers and men, for their most gallant conduct ; with unfeigned sorrow we add, that Captain Robertson was severely wounded while defending with undaunted bravery a dangerous pass, having only 25 sailors and 5 marines to oppose a force of 300 natives, (whom he kept in check sufficiently long to enable the inhabitants of the Bay to reach the ships in safety.) The Block-house which Mr. Philpot's described in his despatch as the key of the position of the Europeans, was, by a most extraordinary species of conduct deserted by Mr. Campbell of the 96th Regiment, the | officer having the charge of it, who, together with 17 out of the 20 men left to protect this most important point, proceeded to some other part of the place. It is scarcely possible to reprehend with sufficient severity misconduct so unmilitary ; all the lamentable disasters at the Bay may be said to have arisen from this gross direliction of duty ; he ought to have known, that under no circumstances should he have left his post. It is said that Mr. Campbell hearing firing, considered it is duty to proceed in the direction of it, but as an officer he might readily perceive the extreme | danger of such a course — we dare say Mr, Campbell is a brave man, but it was unpardonable to give so young an officer so important a trust; of Lieut. Barclay we say nothing, it is however reported, but we trust without any foundation, that both he and Mr. Campbell were in civilians clothing, we however do not believe this possible. One blockhouse having been taken by the natives, and the other blown up, the position occupied by the marines and sailors being no longer tenable, they returned to the Hazard. We cannot avoid feeling that if the bravery of the Hazard's officers and crew had had the assistance of the gallant Major Bunbury and his officers, a different result would have ensued. — Chronicle, March 20. The melancholly destruction of the Town of Korerarika, the oldest settlement in New Zealand, by the Natives, fully bears out our predictions as to the result of the policy which has been practised towards the Natives ever since the British Government took possession of these Islands. We must, however, ac-

knowledge the Governor has been placed in a very auckward situation, without any power to uphold the dignity and supremacy of British law, he has been compelled to resort to the mischievous temporizing expedients of Protectors, backed' up with divers threats and promises, mingled with a few compliments and presents. But while we make every allowance for the weakness of the Government, we do certainly think the Governor was wrong for the partiality he has ever shewn to the one sided and biassed opinions of the Missionaries and Protectors ; while the old, settlers (whose commercial intercourse with the natives must necessarily have given them a far more correct idea of their real character) have never been consulted, or at least, their opinions have been treated with contempt. His Excellency's speech at the opening of the Council this Session, betrayed his profound ignorance of the Native character ; subsequent events-have in some degree no doubt tended to change his views on the subject, but prejudices are not easily removed, and if his Excellency returns to the corrupted source of information with which he has hitherto been supplied, good bye to New Zealand — if we escape with our lives 'twill be a wonder. The opinions of the Arch Traitor Williams, served up in the garb of sanctity, and echoed by the sycophantic multitude of sub-protectors, have constituted the only source of information considered worthy of notice by the Governor, but we trust there is now an end of this nonsense. We hope a strict enquiry will be made into the conduct of the Reverend H. Williams, the false prophet who cried peace, peace, when there was no peace. It is not a little remarkable that this Reverend Impostor publicly declared upon Kororarika beach that there was no danger only the night before the attack, and derided the inhabitants for packing up and shipping their goods, this wily deceiver having at that time taken care to, ship all his own goods off, which are now safely landed, with Mr. Kemp's the Protector's, at Mr. Grahame's store ; while the deluded inhabitants, misled by his perfidious advice, have lost every article they possessed. Does not this speak volumes ?—lbid.? — Ibid. The British settlement at this place, the earliest, if not the most important over which the British flag has waived is utterly swept from off the face of the earth, and its inhabitants, to the number of at least 500 souls, despoiled of every possession, are now refugees in Auckland. Thus the wise and popular doctrine of concentration is likely to be carried out by a summary process. Our own position is not without danger, but we gather encouragement, and would impart it to others, from the calm and deliberate conduct of the Government, let every man who loves his country, let every man who is truly susceptible of the holiest of human, namely, domestic feeliugs, rally around the Governor, and by a complete unanimity of feeling endeavour to avert the evils which threaten us. But we have the melancholy detail to give. We are enabled, by the indulgence of his Excellency, to lay I before the public the following official comj munications, and we much prefer this course to any attempt to condense or analize the vaj rious reports which are vesy naturally fluctuating in the town :—: —

[ OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS AX THE BAY OF ISLANDS. Russell, March 11, 1845. On board H.M S. Hazard, 5 p.m. Sir, — I have the honor to inform your Ex-« cellency, that about four o'clock this mprning the town was attacked on all sides, by a party of about two thousand armed natives. The small arm men and marines of H.M, S. Hazard, under the command of Captain Robertson, (who I am sorry to say is danger-* ously wounded,) endeavoured to drive them back, but in consequence of the block house being surprised, and taken, his party were obliged to retire into the stockade in th,e town. Soon afterwarde a simultaneous attack was made, and a heavy fire was maintained on both sides for three hours, when the assailants were repulsed, and retired to the hills where they remained. A.t 1 o'clock, the magazine in the stockade unfortunately exploded, and several persons were severely hurt and contused. The greatest portion of our ammunition being exhausted by this fearful circumstance, it was deemed advisable to embark the inhabitants and troops and evacuate the town, which was then immediately entered by the natives, who are now busily engaged plundering, I am sorry to say that the casualties on the part of the Europeans have been very great. The greatest praise is due to the officers and crew of H-.M.S. Hazard, for their conduct on this occasion. I have, &c. &c, (Signed) George Beckham, Police Magistrate* To his Excellency the Governor.

H.M. Ship Hazard, Bay of Islands, March 11, 1845. Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that the forces have had a severe encounter with the natives, this day, in which Acting Commander David Robertson was wounded in several places, I fear mortally, and acting Lieutenant Edward Morgan was slightly wounded. Our party consisted of about 150 individuals. The whole of the naval and marine forces belonging to the ship behaved in a manner that elicits ray warmest approbation. The place could have been maintained, had not the block house, the key to our position, been surprised and taken in the morning. At about one o'clock the magazine in the stockade was blown up, wounding several persons, and the ammunition being completely expended, I deemed it advisable to order the inhabitants and troops to embark. Many of the land forces have been severely wounded, and some killed, the particulars of which I have not as yet been able to ascertain. This despatch has been written in extreme haste, owing to my anxiety to see the women and children shipped on board the different small vessels that I have been able to obtain. The whole of my attention is at present directed towards preventing the ship from being surprised this evening, which it is the intention of the natives to attempt. I have, &c. &c, (Signed) George Philpots, Lieutenant in command during the illness of the Acting Commander. To his Excellency the Governor. Times, March 18.

In addition to these documents, and all that we have stated in the Council report which we are obliged to postpone, it is our duty to mention a few most important particulars for public information : — The first is the almost unexampled heroism of Captain Robertson, with his little party, who, with only twenty-five or thirty men under his command, beat back a force of more than ten times his number. With no less than six or seven bullets in his body, bleeding and on the ground, he thought only of cheering on his brave companions to the service he was called to. It is most earnestly to be hoped that the recovery of this gallant young officer may be conceded by the only power that is able to complete it, (that granted) though only an ungrateful set of treacherous savages have been "his opponents, — he will bear about him in after life such marks as Nelson was prouder of than all his crosses and orders. The marine corps is spoken of with exceeding praise, and the Serjeant whose death we record, distinguished himself most highly. All the officers of the Hazard are entitled to the gratituJe of their country upon this occasion, and to none more than to Lieut. Phillpotts, for the energy with which, under extreme danger, he secured the safety of the women and children. We are of opinion that if there had been less carelessness and more concentration of purpose, the Bay of Islands would never have been lost ; and that Honi Heki and his coadjutors are- perfectly surprised at the success of their unintentional attempt. The Rev. Mr. Williams made it his business before the attack, to allay all apprehensions, and to give every assurance of security against the attack of the maories, although Mr. Mair had promulgated the positive certainty of the attack by daybreak. A charge officially, of undue leaning against his own country, (this is a mild term for treason and treachery,) is preferred against Mr. Williams. It is no part of our desire to give currency to this opinion, but it is so prevalent, that we think il no less a matter of justice and kindness towards the Reverend gentleman himself, to challenge his contradiction or explanation of it. The town is thoroughly sacked, — burnt, destroyed. The loss of life on the natives part is variously stated, but we think the nearest approximation to the truth would be about seventy killed and wounded. The amount of property of course, as regards home and happiness, cannot be estimated, but the less of merchandize we believe to be little short of forty thousand pounds. Refugees to the number of about 500 have come into Auckland, many of them favoured by the kindness of Capt. McKeiver of the U. S. corvette St. Louis and the English whaling ship Matilda.

The following we believe to be a correct account of the killed and wounded in this disastrous affair : — H. M. S. " HAZARD." Sergt. Macartby, Royal Marines, killed. Alexander May, do. do.

William Lovell, Seaman, killed. John Love, do. do. F. Minnikins, do. do. William Danby, do. do. Com. Robertson, dangerously wounded. Liut. Morgan, slightly do. And about fifteen others wounded. 96th regiment. William Giddens, killed. Henry Ireson, do. George Jackson, do. William Miller, do. James Duross, severely wounded. William Gutteridge, do. do. Thomas Welton, do. do. William Morris, wounded. William Scott, do. CIVILIANS. — Torre, Esq.,, solicitor, commander of the Dolphin schooner, killed by the explosion of the magazine. — Thompson, Government boatman, killed. ■ . One of the seamen of the Victoria killed. Mrs. Abraham, dangerously wounded. Mr. Polack, and several others, severely hurt. Lieutenant Barclay fell on his face !