THE NATIVE WAR.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 478, 16 March 1869, Page 3

THE NATIVE WAR.

RISING IN THE WAIKATO. MURDER OP A SURVEYOR BY TE KOOTI. MURDER OF FIVE SETTLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. Late telegrams report further massacres and the probable rising of the Waikato tribes. It is said that the General Government have received letters from the King, which are so enigmatical that the best Maori scholars are unable to determine their meaning. It is feared, however, that his Maori Majesty means that he intends to commence hostilities against the pakeha at once. In consequence, Mr M'Lean, the Superintendent, had detained the Ngatiporou who were en route to Wanganui. Te Kooti, reinforced by the Uriweras, had surrounded Opotiki on Wednesday, and had murdered Surveyor Pitcairn and others. Pakumani) and a large party of friendly natives, had been captured at Whakare, and a general attack on the settlers around is threatened. There is a report that five settlers and their families have been brutally 'murdered and mutilated at the Waikato, after the females had been subjected to the most frightful atrocities. This report reached the Thames on Saturday week, but no further details were given, and it was hoped that it possibly refers to the massacre at the White Cliffs. From other quarters, however, it seems to be confirmed. A general attack on the settlers in Poverty Bay is threatened. The steamer St. Kilda put in at Castle Point with twenty Ngatiporous on board. Upwards of sixty remained at Napier with Ropata. The other natives would have come on, but Ropata used moral and physical efforts to prevent them. The leader of the Maoris who committed the murders at White Cliffs is named Wetere or Te Waitere. This man, when an infant was baptised by the Rev. Mr Whiteley, who also stood god-father to him. He was called after Mr Whiteley, the name translated into Maori being Waitere. It has been stated that Mr Whiteley was shot, not by Tabana, but by Wetere himself. Mr Whiteley refused to go back when he was ordered to do so. His horse was then shot. He fell on his knees, and commenced praying, and while in this position was shot at twice by Wetere with a revolver which missed fire both times. Wetere then went close up to the unfortunate gentleman and shot him dead. It is stated that the news of these murders created profound sorrow throughout the whole of the peacefully inclined section of the King natives, including Tawhiao himself, Tamati, and Rewi, who remained in their houses an entire day after the news had been received. They were particularly sorrowful that Mr Whiteley had been slain.