WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 352, 16 July 1863, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

A serious in. Wellington on this evening of the 6th insfc. It appears that in a public house brawl on the previous Saturday a soldier of the 14th got ’ roughly handled by some civilians His comrades therefore determined to be Tevenged, and sent word to the police to keep out of the way on Monday night. Information was of course given to the military authorities, but from the accounts in the Wellington papers nothing appears to ha\ T e been done to prevent a riot. Accordingly, about G pan., some forty men made an indiscriminate attack pn the windows of the public houses and shops in Manners.-street, Willis-street, and Lambton-quay south, and were shortly joined in the exciting amusement by about twenty more who formed a picket. Damage to the Oxtent of about £SO was done. The Whole 'affair was conducted in the most systematic manner, the rioters acting under the direction of an officer pro tern. A constable was also roughly handled. Tlie military authorities, on hearing the riot, had the roll called, and all who Avere absent are confined to bavracks for a specified period. . Several of the injured parties applied to 11. St. Hill, Esq., H. M.,' next morning with a view to obtaining redress, and a public meeting was held .in the afternoon, at which a Vigilance Committee was appointed. The householders also armed themselves to resist any further attack, but this pre caution Av'as rendered unnecessary for the time by the military authorities sending out strong pickets to prevent a repetition of the disturbance.

The Fanny a Gat riques brig was wrecked in PalHser hay at about 6 a.m on the 30th ult. The crew lowered a bout, which . filled, and the; captain, who had got into her to bale her out, was washed overboard ; lie eudeavoured to swim ashore, hut waSjdashed on the rocks and drowned. The crew stuck by the wreck till 9 p.m. when one of them succeeded in swimming ashore with a . line, by means of which the rest escaped. The wreck occurred near Mr. C. Pliarazyn’s hcmse, but the weather was so thick that they remained two days on the beach hemmed in by two creeks, which they could not cross. On the morning of the third day, however, a fshepherd. saw the wreck, and., informed •Mr. Pharazyn, who supplied the sufferers with food, by passing it across a creek in a watertight bag, till they were able to cross the stream. The vessel is a total wreck, and was insured for £6OO in the Hew Zealand and £4OO in the Australasian,

AUCKLAND. Shocking Case ; op Wipe Murder.— The town was in a state of commotion last evening, in consequence of a report •that Mr,: Ilieliard Harper, tlie butcher, in Queen-street, had murdered 1 his wife by stabbingher. 'i lie report was soon proved to be too true, it being ascertained that the perpetrator of the horrible crime had been conveyed handcuffed to the police office, and that his wife had .died from the effects of the wound. We have gleaned the following particulars of the frightful occurrence, but we cannot vouch for their strict accuracy in every detail, although we believe they will be found substantially correct. The deceased, it. appears, was about 32 years of .age, had two young children, one only eight months old, and she had been separated from .her husband several times on the ground of incompatibility of tem-

pei\ She was last separated from him about six months ago,“and was living at the; time this shocking' affair took 5 place at the house of Mr; Baker, at the top of Edward-street, where she had hired two front rooms, her husband allowing her one pound a week and paving her lodging expences. He used to go and see her during the week, and was there on Sunday last, when lie arid the deceased quarrelled. The latter expressed hei i; belief that her h usband in ten ded to m urdev lierj arid sh e said he had shown her a knife and said do so. Being apprehensive of such a catastrophe, she called in a neighbour and a policeman, who stopjiCd with her until one o'clock on the following morning. The deceased being frightened that her husband would come iri during the night through the window, was then induced to go arid lodge with one of the persons who had stopped to protect her. Outlie Monday morning, being still appiehensive that her husband would visit her with the idea of killing her, she had her door barred, and prevailed on Mrs Baker to.allow the partition doors, which separated the two front rooms which she occupied fram the two back rooms, to remain open so that she might have an opportunity of escaping in case of emergency. During the day (Monday) her husband did come, knocked at the door, and not getting admission, got through the window. The- deceased ran away into the yard, and he followed her, when on some neighbours taking her part and remonstrating with her husband for his conduct, he disappeared. At half-past four o’clock yesterday the deceased, receiving an intimation that her husband was coming, ran into the yard and her husband ran after her. Mrs. Baker, the landlady of the house, who was washing in the back premises, then heard the deceased cry “ Oh,” and saw her fall into lief husband’s arms. She (Mrs. Baker), fearing violence to herself, ran away and cried “murder.” Harper was then seen to ■ sit down against the palings, lay the deceased on his knees and kiss her. A neighbour who saw the occurrence called for assistance, and another who just came up went for. a m'edical man Harper still continued sitting with deceased on his lap until several persons arrived—the neighbour who had called assistance in'the first place having until then feared to go near, dreading further violence. When three or four persons had assembled lie went up to' Harper and touched him on the shoulder, when the latter told him to mind his own business. Shortly after this, however, Harper got up and canned deceased half way round to the front door, when he was assisted by one of the neighbours and carried into her own apartment; Her husband placed her on the floor, putting a stool under her head, and he sat down beside her. He said it was no use running for the police as he was there, and he had done it. Shortly afterwards sergeant Evers arrived and took him into custody, and Dr. .Hu bait It, who had been sent for, examined the deceased and found that she had received a deep-cut extending downwards from the left shoulder and penetrating the heart, and that death must have been instantaneous. The wound, it would appear, was inflicted with a butcher’s knife, which was found in the yard afterwards, and was, as well, as the prisoner’s drcse, covered with blood. He was at once taken in custody to the police office, and an inquest will probubly be held to day on the body of the unfortunate woman.

We have been, informed siuce that the prisoner was one of the jury at the inquest held on Monday on the body of the man found-'at Smaile’s Point. We have been further informed that the deceased took out a summons against her husband on Monday, for constantly using abusive and threatening language to her, more especially on Sunday last, and setting forth that in consequence of his violent conduct to her, she feared he would do her some grievous bodily harm if lie were not restrained. ' This summons, which required the prisoner-to appear-at the Police court to-day, was served on him yesterday, and it maybe surmised that it had something to do with his visit to his wife yesterday. The deceased had the reputation of being a highly respectable and iiitelligigent woman Weekly New -.

A Maori named Peta has been committed for trial for a rape on a settler’s wife named Howard, near Henderson’s mills.

TAEANAKL From the Herald's “ Journal of Events.”

Saturday , June 27.—H.MS, Eclipse, Com.mandce Mayne, arrived from Maun kau this morning, and has come down for f roops. 'I lie troops embarked at once, and the Eclipse was on her way back to Manukau before 4- p.m.. She took 107 men of the 40th, under Lieut. Hobbs and Ensigns Ducrow and Phillips ; 104 men of the both, under Capt, Gresson and Lieuts. Lewis and Chevalier ; and 90 of the. 70th regt.—the whole in command of Major E} r an, 70th regt. Lieut-Colonel Gamble, D.Q.M.G., and Brigadier Major Paul were also passengers in the Eclipse. Orders having been received also to send up. immediately to Auckland the portion of. the Armstrong battery at px-esent liei-e, it was decided to shell Kaitake at once, as had been previously intended by General Cameron. Accordingly Colonel Warre and Staff, with Captain Mercer, rode down to St. Andiew’s redoubt, and at 1 p.m. the four guns were moved out and took up a position on this side of the Oakura and about 2000 yards distant from the pa—a portion of the 57th and the Mounted Artillery acted as covering parties. The guns opened fire about 2 p.m., and the first two shells burst right over the whares-on the hill. They were then directed against the palisading be low, and with great precision, the firing being remarkably good throughout. Forty

rounds were expended, but with wliat effect it ,is.rimpossible to say. After it was over the natives lighted little fires in different parts of the hills,, apparently to show they were still alive. ■ * Monday. June 29.—lhaia, from Waitara, informs us this morning that, by \yay of Mataitawa, he has heard that 300 of the Ngatiraukawa tribe from Otaki, Rangitikei, etc., will shortly arrive at Tataraimaka, with 100 of the Taupo natives. 170 of the Ngatimauiajioto tribe are bringing: down Wi Kingi, and the chief Hikaka will also shortly arrive. Waikato will not commence {oho) at Te la (on the Waikato), but:will rather make a beginning here. “ Kia: olio tenei ka oho a Tela,” i e., “When they have commenced here, then a commencement will he made, at the la.” Then there will be a general rising. The word is this : “ Waitara must be the commencel- - Whether the attack will-be made at Waitara or at Bell Block is mot known by lhaia, but he has heard that lhaia Te Wharepa and Patukakariki urge an attack upon Teira and his people, while Hapurona, Paora (little Paul), Eruera (Ui Kingi’s son), and; Epiba (from Onaero), insist upon a hostile movement at Bell Block- Hare te Hokai lias returned from the rebels’ positions at Kaitake, etc. : He reports that he found the southern natives in a disorganised state, in consequence of their recent defeat, and were short of food, having subsisted for some time upon fern root (mamakn), etc: lliey told him that they left the bodies of twenty-four of tlieir people in the redoubt stormed by. the 57th on the 4tli ult., including: three women, and that three have since died of their v'ounds. Besides the chiefs Hori Te Kaioroto and Mohi Hoko, of Wanganui, Aperalnima Rulcuwai, of .the Taranaki tribe, was killed. . Ihe rebels told Hare that they killed “a great- many soldiers;” hut Have told them they were mistaken, as his tamariki (children) were in town when the ship with the soldiers returned from 1 ataraimaka, and there was only one dead man and - a very few wounded landed.

Tuesday , June 30.—The evacuation of Tataraimaka for, a second time took place to-day, and was effected skilfullv and rqpidly under the superintendence of Lieut.-Colonel Logan, 57th regt. Every thing of value was brought aivay or burnt, and the redoubt left standing. The troops halted at Oakum. Some changes will be made in the location of the several companies of the 57th, and a portion will come to town.: We are informed that the following appointments have been made in tlie garrison. Colonel Warre, C.H., 57th regt., colonel on the staff and commander of the troops in this province (Lieut.-Colonol Logan, consequently, now commands the 57th regt.) ; Lieut, and Adjt. C. M. Clarke, 5 7th regt., Deputy Asst. Quarter master General ; Lieut. Brutton, 57th regt., Garrison Adjutant ; Lieut Thompson getting the Adjutancy of the 57th regt. We also hear that Major Mulock will get the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the 57th regt. in consequence of the promotion- of Colonel Chute.—Sir George Arney, Chief Justice, who came down in the Airedale, opened the Supreme Court to day, the Masonic Hall having been taken for the purpose —The lfarrier, a from Mauukau, arrived to-day, but put to sea in consequence of tlie threatening state of the weather. Wednesday , July I. Natives from tlie north inform us that some Waikatos, under Tikaokao, are fortifying Te Arei, digging rifle pits, etc’., and-that Hapurona is building a pali at Kairau (No. 1 redoubt), the Mataitawa ; people assisting Firing heard in the direction of Oakuia this afternoon.—The Harrier left to-day for Auckland with. Armstrong guns, and the Abeona with the heavy baggage of the 40th and 65th detach men ts.

Thursday, July 2.—From Oakura we hear that yesterday Lieut.-' blond Logaii laid a skirmish with-the rebels, who came down to Hanranga and danced the war dance. Colonel Logan fired two shells from a howitzer, which fell into the midst of them, and with a party from the redoubt drove them inland. ; Oil the return of the troops they were fired aat by some natives at Wairau, who were also driven up towards Kaitake, ■ Soon. after • the evacuation of Tataraimaka 'the rebels came down and fired several volleys over the grave of those of their people who were killed on the 4th ult., and yesterday in bravado danced the war dance, no doubt emboldened ,by the supposed giving n p„of the lataraimaka block to them.— The Claud Hamilton, from Auckland, arrived this morning and left this evening with Capt. Mercer’s Mounted Corps of Royal A rtillery and the women and children of the detachment of the Goth regt. I'riday, July 3.—From f ell Block we hear that a pah supposed to about a quarter of a mile inland of Matarikoriko has been erected within the week. Two sides of the palisading can be seen distinctly from the blockhouse, and it is believed to be a small but strong place - The report that some of the Ngati mania poto tribe are digging rifle pits at Te Arei is confirmed, liapurona, it is stated, laid an ambuscade beyond Bell Block during tlie week, but lie was , not sup ported by the Mataitawa people.—Weather stormy and wet. 'I lie Claud Hamilton got away just in time;

From the official despatches relative to the engagement of June 4th, published in the New Zealand Gazette, it appears the total’ British force’ engaged 'consisted of 873, —viz., 45 officers, 57 non-commis-sioned do, and 771 rank and file. General Cameron says, eight of the enemy were found inside the redoubt, and one on the road, leading to the kainga, but it is probable that there were many more Killed and \Jounded.” The following from Colonel Warre’s

despatch accounts for, and to sonie.extent confirms a native rumour mentioned .by us several weeks ago,-—“The Maories fighting desperately to the last, a band to hand combat ensued, which was only terminated by the whares catchingffire, and burning many of the Maori ..defenders in the ruins: Twenty-one Maories were taken out of the rifle juts killed, three are known to have been burned in th'9smaller whare, and four in the larger, and it is believed that several others perished in the flames, which, with the stench arising from the. consuming flesh, jirevented accurate information being obtained. One Maori was [ricked uj> dead in the road, and many more,'wounded, escaped, and were seen to take refuge and hide themselves in the fern arid bush.” From it we also learn that the natives were pursued for upwards of a mile, and that in their flight they were exposed to the shells of tlie Eclipse, as well«®is the fire of the troops.

OTAGO. FATAL STEAM BOAT COLLISION

FE \RFUL LOSS OF LIFE !

On Saturday evening, between five and six o’clock the steamer Pride"of the; Yarra took on board, at Port Chalmers, front 40 to 50 passengers for Dunedin. The majority were on deck, hut the ladies, including Mrs. Campbell, wife of the Rev. Mr. Campbell, Principal of the High School Dunedin, sought what proves to be the fatal shelter of the cabiri,- along with her husband and live yoiing children, and two maid servants, Fanny Finch and Mary Roberts, and Mrs. Henderson. Its other occupants were several gentlemen, all of whom have been saved with tlie exception of one, who has been recognised as Mr. Somerville, a station holder at Wanganui.- .->u: ;

Thus freighted, the Pride steamed on. Captain- Spence was persoiially in charge, and at the wheel was an experienced and steady steersman. J’ai*allel to ,Sawyer,s Bay, the lights of the Favorite steamer were recognised, as that vessel was on her way down from town, and, as the two vessel approached, the Favorite seemed to be steering right down upon the Pride, and occasionally keeping so much of a starboard course that her port lights were concealed, I his course being apparently preserved, the Pride’s helm was ported, and she was kept well over to the starboard side of the channel-, which, at that particular piace, is, defined by a bluff rocky' headland, hut there appeared still more necessity for porting the helm, and, “ Port,” “ Hard a-Port,” are alleged to have been the orders. A collision being now almost imminent, there was a cry. of For God’s sake reverse the engines,” and simultaneously with this they were reversed, hut all too late. Both vessels going still at a considerable rate of.speed, the Favorite run si era on to the Pride, catching her at a: point a! out a third of her length from the l ow, or nearly on a line with Jier mast, listing her over to port, and cutting right through her port side. This was the col ision as said to have been seen from the deck of the Pride of the Yarra. . „

Tue question of the caires of the accident is one upon'.which'it; is delicate-to touch in-anticipation of the inquest and other inquiries .which, will probably follows It may be mentioned, however,: that tlie Favourite had the usual masthead and port and starboaid lights ; but not a boat or lifebuoy. The Pride of the Yarra had one light at tlie masthead, representing the usual colours for masthead light, port, and starboard. The rule of the road is, to allow a vessel to pass on the port or left hand side, aid it was while this was being attempted by the Pride of the Yarra that the accident happened.

Eleven bodies of the unfortunate suffi-rers were recovered on Sunday afternoon by the aid of. the professional divers Watson and Wiee’er, whose services.were as expeditiously as possible obtained by the HaiKur Department and the Police. The Abandonment op Waitara ’ . The Daily Times of the 24th. instaut, makes the following statement : “ Eiom a source which; we are not at liberty to state, but in which we have every reason to place reliance, we are*at length put in possession of the mysterous information which reached the Government, and led them to renounce the Waitara. It appears that it is asserted- that Te Teira gave to Wireinu Kingi on his return to the Waitara in 1848, the right to . occupy. the Waitara. This right to occupy without limit is said to be equivalent to a concession of the title, and, taking . this view, the Government consider that Teira could only sell subject to tlxe permission to occupy granted to Wirenni IClngi, and with that condition they look upon Te. Temi’s title as worthess Such is the substance of the explanation that lias reached which, as we have said, we have reason to believe is the true excuse upon which the abandonment of the Waitara, was decided on.” .

Previous prices for stock are maintained, Mr. itoger.son’sTot ex Ford Ashley were sold at <£2U to £25 per head. :