NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 350, 8 January 1869, Page 1 (Supplement)

NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

(Abridged from the Daily Times

telegrams.

When the recruits brought from Melbourne by the Otago arrive, Colonel Lyons will have nearly five hundred Armed Constabulary. Everybody here is chafing at the continuance of a merely defensive position.

The only war news is of a cavalry expedition to Patea, under Colonel Lyons. After proceeding a short distance from the camp, the Maori cavalry were ordered to take the lead. As they took their position they givr vene to ironical cheers, which so incensed Captain Finnimore, of the European cavalry, that he protested, and claimed for his force, as being the seni r one, the right to lead. Colonel Lyons replied that his orders must be obeyed, and; ordering the European Cavalry back, he proceeded, with Colonel M‘Donnell and the troop of thirty Maoris.

Napier, Dec. 29.

An expedition, consisting of seven hundred and fifty-two friendly natives, left Wairoa on the 21th inst., accompanied hy Captain Heighten and Mr. Preece. About the same time an expedition under Colonel Whitmore left Poverty Bay for Ngatepe, where, according to last accounts, he had arrived. He had mot four scouts, of whom he had shot three.

The Arawna and Ng tiporou had'been sent for, and had arrived at Poverty Bay, the force at which place now numbers over seven hundred, so that the enemy ought soon to he crushed.

There ia bad news from Taupo, the General Got cramoat' survey party having been

ordered back. The overseer on Mr. Tetley’ 8 run had also been warned to remove sheep, and a party of Friendlies had been fired on by an ambuscade, though none wore killed. x

The “Wanganui Herald” of the 20 th ult. says:—'‘The Wanganui and Kai Iwi Volunteer Cavalry attacked the enemy’s stronghold at Nukumaruthis morning; the Cavalry were reconnoitering the position when they were fired upon. The fire was return' d, and some of them gallopped straight to the palisading and poured in a volley. Sergeant Maxwell was shot through the breast, and lived but a few seconds.

Five Hau-haus climbed the palisading from the inside, and, attempting to regain the rifle-pit out, were all shot. An accurate knowledge of the enemy’s position has been obtained. The loss of the enemy was Considerable, as he exposed himself in retreating from the pah. Sergeant Maxwell was buried at Wanganui on the 28th.

Colonel Lyon with the Maori troop, reached and returned from Patea safely.

The Government advertise for two-thou-sand five hundred polos for a telegraph to Wanganui. Tenders will received up to the 14th January.