NORTHERN NEWS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 24, 25 July 1868, Page 3

NORTHERN NEWS.

(From the " Wellington Independent, July.lß.) THE ESCAPEES FROM THE CHATHAM ISLAND. Startling intelligence has been received here from Poverty Bay. At one o'clock on Thursday a '-niessenger arrived from Wairoa, bringing despatches from C.-ijJts. Deightbn- and Biggs. Their contents may' be stated aa follows :—: — The Hau Hau prisoners at the Chatham Islands, who were guarded by only fifteen ■men, suddenly made a- rising' attacked and overwhelmed the guard, and thus effected there liberty. After first talcing the precautions to bind Captain Thomas and the guard, they next seized a French whaling vessel, which was lying at the Chathams, and it is supposed, compelled the crew, by force and threats, to take them to New Zealand. At .all events, the late prisoners, who are 180 in number, did land at Wharoongaonga, close to Poverty Bay, on Saturday last. It, is stated. they were fully armed, the supposition Keixig tliat -fcliGy hacl ottain.ecl - the rifles dnA ammunition from the Go- - verment store at Wharekouri, in the Chatham Islands. They are now intrenched in a pah near Poverty Bay, :, It is believed that their landing in New Zealand is. part' 'jf a preconcerted scheme for a general rising on the part of the rebel Natives. I Captain Biggs has 120 men with which to proceed against them, but urgently requires reinforcement. Wheii Mx Deighi ton arrived here, he ' at once despatched Ihaka Whanga and some Natives to his I assistance.^ ' '. '. ' Nothing is known as to particulars, but Volunteers, are _b_eing raised. Colonel Whitinore and his men proceed to the assistance of Captain Biggs tomorrow. We have been informed in Napier that the Rosario and Waipara" are both coining j with reinforcements to our aid. j The Telegraph is constantly at ' work, " and it is stated that both the Rosario and hte Waipara would be employed by the Goverment to proceed to Napier and Poverty Bay. Thtere is-rn tense exeitinent both iv the town and country distrcts of the Province. . His Honor Donald M'Lean, Esq., the Superintendent, is" much misled, A"ovessel is expected almost every minute.