NATIVE ATROCITIES.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 29, 22 July 1867, Page 3

NATIVE ATROCITIES.

MURDER OF MR. BENNNET WHITE. The steamer Sturt arrived in Wellington on Saturday last and brought authentic intelligence of several savage murders committed by tbe Haubans on the East Coast. Two- men by the name of Biggs and Moore, who had been for some time missing, were found to have been tomaby the'nativcs, and Mr. Bennett White, the principal witness against the natives accused of the murder of Mr. Balloon, has been murdered and then decapitated. The evidence submitted by Within at a Court of Inquiry relative to the sad event is as follows:

“ On Thursday, the 27 ult, whither I 'had' been summoned b} r Mr Commissioner Wilson to attend the Compensation Court as a witness. I was accompanied by my son Paora. We crossed Ohiwa ferry about noon, and noticed nothing unusual until wo reached Waiotahi river. At this place I was riding in advance of Paora some 300 or 400 yards, as his horse was jaded with the long journey. When 1 arrived at the Opotiki side of the Waiotahi ford I observed a good many footprints on the sand ; and, thinking our people were there pig-hunting, turned up olt the beach towards the oldkainga, there expecting to find them ; but the great number of footprints I saw at high, water mark convinced me at once that - a •strong body of Hauhaus must he in the vicinity. 1 instantly called to Paora, and beckoned to him to come on quickly. The Ilanhans heard me call and rose out of the fern at the old kainga, about 300 yards off, and fired upon us very sharply ’ for they were in considerable force. Their fire ceaseit, however, after we had rounded a point of the -cliff; hut still we hastened on as 1 feared we might be intercepted at the other streams on tha'heach by other parties, who might hear the firing and come out of the valleys near Opotiki. Just after rounding the point, I was startled at seeing the head of Bennett White standing upright on a small rock on tiro beach, with the face towards the sea. I passed close by it. The Sowing beard was carefilly spread down over the rook. Close by it, on its, hack,

lay his body, inked; and near it the be:' , ;e-:s body of the mailman, with drawers on. 'l ids body .was lying on its side. I did not see i.v.; bead cf the postman. After passing tlicb :di,ci a few yards we saw Mr White's br.r.v i;. dead, shot behind the shoulder. 1 now end Psora to leave his tired horse and. jump no Ivin ml me, and mv lior-’c, which is r. strong one, carried ns at fall speed bevon.d reach oiMangcr."

There is little doubt that tiie Ilanhau ambuscade was laid for Mcior Mair, Mr Oomi'fssioncr "Wilson, and the Vv'akatohca chiefs 1 who it is well known would return from attend:;:;' the compensation Court. at M«kotn. at ace-lain time. The weather delayed (lie party. Major Mnir. however, had remained at Taur-mga, and ?»fr "Wilson had altered Ins ranuigcmcnts and had gone to Auckland.