NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 354, 5 February 1869, Page 3

NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

(Abridged from the Daily Times telegrams. Wellington, Jan 27 The Wanganui papers of yesterday issued an extra containing information as to the brush with the enemy early yesterday morning. A reconnoitring party of scout corps when returning to camp were fired on by a party of the enemy, about thirty strong, on the north bank of the Kai Iwi, Two of our men, Cummins and M'Kenzic, fell dead. Williamson was wounded. Dr. Kelly, with great daring, carried off Cummin’s body ; the othsr body was also carried off, but not until it had been tomahawked. It is supposed some of the enemy have been killed by our fire, but the number is not known. A skirmish took place in sight of Colonel Lyon’s sentries. Colonel Whitmore, with

a large force, at onoo started in pursuit of the enemy, so a general engagement may take place. Colonel Whitmore's head quarters have been moved forward to Kidd’s. Woodall’s edoubt is held by the Wanganui veteran volunteers, who have volunteered for active service. Four posts beyond Kai Ivvi are now held by our men, and the cavalry are on the advance towards Okehu. The men are all employed in building redoubts or strengthening positions. P Lieutenant Colonel St. John’s men have arrived. The force here is now very large, but it will bo still further increased by the addition of the one hundred native Militia the Government ordered to bo enrolled. It is aseerta'ned that eight Hauhaus were killed and five wounded in the cavalry engagement of Sunday last. Mr. Booth, E.M., is to be removed to Poverty Bay. He is very' unpopular at Wanganui, especially since his unfounded charges against the Volunteer Cavalry. A meeting is to take place to morrow of persons desirous of constructing a floating dock here similar to that at Port Chalmers. Napieh, Jan. 27. "~A party left Wairoa on Sunday last to investigate the truth of the rumours ns to the appearance of the Hauhaus a few miles from that place. The Agnes , which has arrived from Po verty Bay, states that a serious diflerenco has taken place between Eopata and the European force stationed there, which almost led to b’ows. It arose from the former selling his prisoners for £5 a head, and refusing to give them up to the authorities. He carried his point. Te Kooti is supposed to bo midway between Opotiki and Turanga, with a small number of his best men, and hoping to obtain reinforcements. £SOO has been offered for his bead, and it is said that theMuriwaj natives are going after him) but their loyalty is questioned. Fifty Constabulary only now remain at Poverty Bay, but no confidence is felt that hostilities are ended. Mr. Eichmoud returns on Saturday in the St, Kilda. Napier, Jan. 28. The St. Kilda has arrived here. Mr. Eichmoud goes on in her to Wellington. An expedition is contemplated to search out TV Kooti for the sake of the reward offered for him, but it is not yet organised.