NATIVE DISTURBANCE IN AUCKLAND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1049, 30 August 1879, Page 2

NATIVE DISTURBANCE IN AUCKLAND.

[by telegraph.] Auckland, August 30. News was received early this morning of an attack by natives on a survey party at Ohinemuri. They were engaged on a block of Government land between Paeroa and Te Aroha, on the Thames Eiver, when the natives suddenly fired on them. Bayldon and Crump (surveyors), are missing. One named M'Williams was wounded in the thigh, but crawled into Ohinemuri and gasre information. Another . named Fowdree escaped unhurt. Inspector Kenny and Dr. Andrews have left for Ohinemuri. Later. j It is believed that the natives who attacked the surveyors are of the Ngatikoe tribe, who occupied an inferior position in the Ohinemuri District under Te Hira and Ngatatitamatera some years ago. The Ngatikoes appeared in the Land Court as against Te Hira, and to assist the Government. They resided chiefly at a place half way between Ohinemuri and the East Coast. There was a man of note among the natives who have committed this outrage, and who will no doubt at once make their way into the King Country and defy us to attempt to capture them. The two surveyors, whose fate is so uncertain, are well known in Auckland and at the Thames. Mr. Bayldon has been a resident of the Thames since its opening, and Crump has been for years at Coromandel. The fact that M'Williams was wounded shows that the Maoris really meant to kill the members of the party. There are several settlers on the Thames river above Rotokahu and not far from the line of retreat which must be adopted by the | natives. It is, however, not at all likely that the assailants -will do any further mischief. Their first care will be to place themselves in a position of safety. The excitement produced in Grahamstown and Shortland by the news was almost inconceivable. The two men who are missing reside in Shortland. Bayldon's wife and family are there, and anxiety almost intolerable must be felt while the fate of the missing men is uncertain. At 2 o'clock this morning bugles were sounded in Grahamstown for volunteers to fall in, and Colonel Fraser had 50 men all ready with several day's rations. It was suggested that there should be a general turn out of volunteers on Saturday to proceed to the Upper Thames, but Major Murray hesitated to take the responsibility upon himself. Later. Official information has been received by the Native Minister from Superintendent Thompson of the safety of Bayldon and Crump. The 1J on. Mr. Sheehan has left in a steamer for the Thames. Grahamstown, August 30. M'Williams, who was shot by the natives, is in the Hospital, wounded through the right leg just below the groin. He is also wounded with small shot in the chest. M'Williams informed the Star reporter that when he found himself shot he shammed death, and the natives, one of whom he recognised, came to him and koreroed over his supposed dead body, one of them cutting off a portion of his hair, and chewing it. There is a feeling in the district that the Government should take active measures. Mr. Sheehan and Superintendent Thomson and a party of police will go to Ohinematu this afternoon.