--From the Honolulu Commercial Advertiser we learn that
Captain Winslow, who had just arrived at that port frem
New Zealand reported a terrible massacre of the foreign population by the hostile natives South of
Auckland.
Last October a peace was concluded.
It appears, however, that some time in January the natives came down from the mountains in large numbers and suppressed a settlement near
Auckland, butchering about eight hundred and fifty inhabitants.
The most horrid accounts are received as to the cruelties perpetrated on that occasion.
The government had only about two thousand troops in the island.
These would have proved more than a match for any force that the Indians could bring into the field, but the latter are accustomed to retreat into the thick canebrakes which cover the mountains of the interior Aside from those natural defences, the natives are athletic and brave, while they have picked up no inconsiderable knowledge from their contact with the white settlers.
Their forest camps have been found to be fortified, with much skill in the selection of ground and other means of defence.
They are acquainted with the use of firearms, and obtain powder from foreigners touching at the island.
