ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

Southland Times, Issue 993, 27 July 1868, Page 3

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

A gentleman who was a passenger by the coach from "Wanganui, gives us the following account of the affair. He states that the number of killed is not so great as had been announced by the previous dispatches ; but he confirms the statement that the Natives surprised the camp undoubtedly with the intention of murder, that they succeeded in killing nine men and wounding six. It appears that the Maoris, after their usual manner, crawled up to the camp. The sentry on guard fired upon the foremost of them, who returned the fire, killing the sentry. This was the signal for a general onslaught. Captain Eoss was in his tent, which was the first object of attack, and the unfortunate gentleman was murdered. The firing aroused his comrades, who came to the rescue, too late, however, and the result is that nine were shot dead, and six were wounded. The difference between the first account and the later intelligence may be easily accounted for if we suppose that in the haste and excitement the figure 1 had, by some mishap, come to be placed before the 9. Colonel Gorton at once communicated the intelligence he had received, and a meeting ot Magistrates was, as we already know, convened — HjrtnwltnT Coloner Gorton has been authorised to enlist as many volunteers as could be found, and we are informed that an effort is being made to enrol a troop of mounted volunteers. Considering the population of the district, it is hardly to be expected that so large a force will be obtained as the emergency urgently demands. We believe that forty men have already been enrolled ; but this force is wholly inadequate. It will cause no surprise that the district is in a state of intense excitement. Our informant states that Mr Eox has expressed his intention of coming to "Wellington by the s.s. Ahuriri.