THE REPORTED DEATH OF TE KOOTI.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 498, 1 May 1869, Page 2

THE REPORTED DEATH OF TE KOOTI.

The following are the details of the shooting of Te Kooti by a native named Heta, and contributed to the Hawlee's Bay Herald by a correspondent : "On Saturday To Kooti's band attacked the pah (Huke), which was garrisoned by Eutene, the policeman ; Heta, a very fine native ; Eupihana, a son of Paul Eerepu; and three old men, besides women and children. They held out bravely against great odds. On Sunday morning a message came from Te Kooti, offering them their lives, &c., if they would surrender. He was unfortunately believed, and the pah opened to the enemy. On being admitted one man stepped forward, announced himself as Te Kooti, shook hands all round, and ordered all guns to be handed over. All did so, with the exception of Heta, who said—' If I give yon my gun you will kill me.' Upon this Te Kooti pointed his own gun at him, which Heta knocked aside, at tho same time raising his own rifle and firing. The charge lodged in Te Kooti's body, and he fell instantly. His followers thereupon shot Heta, Eutene, and others. Eupihana was shot through the body and fell with the rest, close to the entrance of the pah; but during the confusion caused by Te Kooti being carried away, he managed to crawl aside, roll down the cliff into the river, and hide on the banks till night when he crawled to the big pah, into which he was admitted. He is now under the care of Dr Eussel, who lias hopes of his recovery. The above is the statement made by Eupihana and by the women, examined separately. That Te Kooti fell shot there can be no doubt; but it is just possible he may only have been severely wounded. The story, however, goes that the Hau Haus took the government whale-boat and carried a dead body out to the sea, that it might not be seen and recognised, and fired a volley on their return."