NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 352, 22 January 1869, Page 3

NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

(Abridged from the Daily Times telegrams. Wellington, Jan 11 The Sturt arrived here at 6 p.m to day with seventy two constabulary, sixty one Arawas, Te Kooti’s two wives, and several Arawa women. Colonel Whitmore immediately landed at Brown’s Wharf. He goes on to Wanganui as soon as the Sturt has coaled. The men are all in high spirits, but very ragged after their severe compaign. Te Kooti’s wives seem quite contented, and will be landed here. Jan. 12. The Wanganui has arrived from Wanganui. The news is unimportant. Colonel Lyon is still at Westmere. Addressing his troops the other day, Colonel Lyon sai ; —“There are as many of you as could eat Tito Kowaru an i his whole force.” He moves to Nukumaru in a few days to commence active operations. The recruits who recently arrived are drilled three hours and a half daily. Constable Petersen, a Swede, who was enlisted in Otago, has deserted to the enemy with his arms and accoutrements. The Court martial on the trooper Hughes is over. He threw himself on the mercy of the Court, pleading excitement at the time that he used the threats. Sentence was reserved for the Governor’s approval. Colonel Whitmore is expected to arrive to morrow in the Sturt with the rest of the troops, together with eight female prison rs including Martua, Te Kooti’s wife, and Nikora’s sister. Colonel Whitmore, with his men, goes on to Wanganui to morrow. Major St. John, with four officers and 120 Constabulary, has been left at Poverty Bay. Yester'ay, Ropata brought into that place sixty prisoners, of whom twenty were men and the rest women. Before Colonel Whitmore left, Ropata publicly expr ssed his willingness to go with him to Wanganui to fight Tito Kowaru. The “ Wanganui Herald ” says Mr. Cracroft AVilson is the mau for the post of Defence Minister. Jan. 16. Colonel AATiitmore’s despatch says, regarding the late affair at Ngatepe : “ Although the woman fought and excited the men by their cries, I am happy to say that, in obedience to my or !ers, they and the children were spare 1. Had it been otherwise, the customs of M lori warfare, an I the singular atrocities perpetrated by Te Kooti might have palliated such a want of mercy, and the obedience r.f the Ngatiporou and Arawas is proportionate'y creditab e. “ The total number of the enemy ascertained for certain as being killed is 136, but I am generally informed that more wore kil ed than have been recorded, and many of the wounded must have died in the mountainous forest which extends for many miles in every direction to the roar of the fortress. “ The prisoners wore few of them acquainte ■ with Te Kooti, and it is possible he may be among the killed. At all events defeated, twice wounded, a fugitive, and failing in his prophecies, he is not likely again to troub e the district. Constables Back and Biddle are specially recommen le 1 for reward, fbr having defend d the a'vanccd rifle pits at close quarters with, resolute bravery.