DISTURBANCE AT PATEA.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 283, 27 June 1868, Page 6

DISTURBANCE AT PATEA.

MURDER OF THREE MEN BY THE NATIVES. (From the Taranaki Herald Extra, .! une 1.5.) A rumour of' a rather unpleasant nature was circulated through the town on Saturday morning last, but, like all rumors, no authentic foundation for it was at first get-at-able. The rumour spoken of was exaggerated into a fight; between the natives and the Armed Constabulary at Patea, and that three men had been killed. It appears that two men, Patrick Iloggurty and John Delaney, and a boy named .lames Iliggins, started from hereon Wednesday last, and arrived on Thursday, at noon, at Tipoka, near the wreck of the old brigantino Marchioness. Hero t icy were met by some natives —young men and boys—who dtmanded money. The men told them they had none; so the Maoris proceeded to search for tobacco and pipes. These they took, as also a cap f.'om one of them. They then went on three of the natives following them for half-a-inile, when they bid them " good day," and went back. The men proceeded on as far as Umeroa (about live miles this side of Opunake), when they again met some natives, amongst whom w.is Tamati (formerly a mailman), who asked where they were going. On being informed that they were bound for Patea, he said, " No, you can't go and on being asked the reason, he replied that there was fighting going on, and that three white men had been killed. The men consequently turned back, and brought the information into town.

At about 4 p.m., the mailman arrived from Patea, bringing a letter to Mr Parris from Mr Booth, 8.M., dated Waihi, 10th June, from which we gain the following information : A military settler, named Sergeant Cahill, and two others were attacked while putting a log on the sawpit, in the Kitemarai bush, and murdered by ten men from the TelSTgutu-o-te-manu tribe. An inquest was to be held on the bodies the following day (the 11th). The Pokahoi chiefs tendered their allegiance on the 10th, and pledged themselves to protect the European settlers. Taclgahoi and Tito belonging to the JNTgalmi tribe, have also tendered their allegiance to the Queen. The Keteoneta natives have sent in the settlers, and the friendly natives think they (the Keteonetas) will join the Titokowarus. From a private letter, we have received further intelligence of this murder : " The murder was committed by 10 natives, supposed to come from Pongaroa. Cahill and the other two men were just fixing a heavy log on the pit when the volley was fired. Two of them were shot through the heart, and they were dreadfully tomahawked. Some natives heard the firing, and saw the war party returning through their land exultting over the deed. " Some of them took the intelligence to "Waihi, when a party went out to fetch the bodies. The natives near Turuturumokai have pledged themselves to defend the Europeans. " The authorities have sent to Wellingtou for instructions. " Major Hunter has gone up from Patea, with thirty-five men, and Capt. Ross with twenty-five. This force will be quite sufficient to protect the district. " Messrs IS". Carington, Vivian, and Carter, have arrived safely at Patea; and Mr Richmond Hursthouse and Mr Huigh arrived safely at Oeo. " There are several rumours floating about the town as the cause of this murder, but as nothing reliable is known we abstain from giving publicity to them.

LA/ITS r INTELLEGENCE. Mr Powell has kindly placed the following letter from Mr Carter at our disposal:— " Patea, June 10. " There is great excitement here at present, and it is impossible to say how things will go l'or a few days. The men under arms here were transferred to Waihi at two o'clock this morning, and every unemployed man sworn in to take charge of the camp. " Capt. Page and Colonel M'Donnell have been recalled from Wanganui. " As far as we know at present, the names of the unfortunate men are Cahill, Squires, and Clarke. " June 11, 8 a.m. " It appears that the men were sawing when attacked by the natives, and two of them were fearfully mutilated. "The rebels then went to some friendly natives and told them what they had done, and added that if they (the friendly natives) did not join ; them, they would murder them also.

" All the out-settlers have been culled in. " Colonel M'Donuell lias just arrived, and oil' to Waihi."