NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 359, 12 March 1869, Page 3

NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

(Abridged from the Daily Times. Wellington, March 1. Intelligence received to day from Wanganui states that Colonel Whitmore is still advancing. He has been joined by two hundred of the Wanganui natives, who are anxious to bring the war in that district to a conclusion. The enemy are in the very broken country, about eight miles from Wereroa, The Taranaki Militia have been called out by proclamation for actual service, and Major Brown has been appointed to command them. Colonel Whitmore has completed the road from Wairoa to Wereroa, and is still pushing on with his bridle tracks. Colonel Haultain is still at the front, but Colonel M ‘Donnell has gone to Auckland on leave of absence, in consequence of his wife’s serious illness. The Challenger will probably visit Otago in about six weeks, either with the Duke of Edinburgh on hoard, or during his v isit. March, 2. The Sturt, with Colonels Haultain and Whitmore on board, arrived here from Wanganui to day. The rivers there are so flooded as to cause the suspension of all operations. Colonel Whitmore returns in the Sturt to morrow, and is determined as soon as the rivers go down to push on and catch the enemy if possible. The friendly natives are described as being in a very querulous frame of mind. Naeieu, March 2. News from Taupo states that the Rewi, seven hundred strong, have joined the Uriweras, and are intending to march to join the remnant of the late Chatham Island prisoners, after which they will attack Poverty Bay. The friendly natives are mustering at Taupo, where a meeting of them has been held. Wellington, March, 3. Colonel Whitmore returned to Wanganui to day. The offer of a reward of £IOO for the person of Tito Kowaru, dead or alive, has been extended to all the colonial forces, with the proviso that it will not be paid if he is killed in the ordinary course of war. The trial of Whaka, th Maori murderer, has been adjourned to allow of the evidence of a material witness being obtained. March, 4. Tho Government have received telegrams from Mr. M‘Lean at Napier, to the effect that a half-caste, a member of the Constabulary, who had been to Taupo, states that Te Kooti, with from two honored ana titty to three hundred men, was encamped at a place called Waiokete ; and that Rewi, with seven hundred men, was marching through the Ngaruroio Gorge to join him. Not much dependence, however is to ha placed on his report, as Rewi is known to he iu the Taupo country, awaiting the groat meeting ot the Riugites to bo held there this mouth, at which the question ut war or peace is to be utcioed. The friendly natives there fear treachery, but liewi hae warned his people not to commit any outrages and the Government have warned the friendlies not to proceed with their suiyeys. The laud question is tho Cause of disputes Kelson, March C. i ' The 'Auckland Hu aid ol the i2nd- inat,

says that a messenger has arrived iu the Waikato, warning the settlers to leave with their cattle, as an attack bn the Europeans) is imminent. He states that Hakaraia; Kercopa, Mohi, and Rohana are to lead certain sections of the natives. Rewi, the King’s fighting chief, is the master spirit. He is believed to have caused the White Cliffs masacre, and to desire a general war. The King'is reported to be opposed to a war, hut the Friendlies are nevertheless apprehensive of an attack. All the avail--1 able constabulary have been sent to Alexandra, at which place, and at Kihikihi, the danger is supposed to be greatest The natives are moving about in a suspicious m inner. The same paper of the 4th says that a large meeting of natives had been held at Tokangamutu, but the result was not yet known. The natives from Mata Mota are to bo armed. Nelson, March C. The natives have ramained quiet since the murders at the White Cliff. A large section of the public are getting up a petition to the Queen, asking her to suspend the Constitution Act, and take over the North Island. The news that the troops are to bo retaineil has restored confidence among the settlers, many of whom have gone hack to their farms. It is thought that, had the troops gone, the Natives would have come and at tacked the town. The town is now patrolled nightly by a volunteer lorce. Two Maori spies were in town on Thursday. They were recognised : but for some reason or other were not arrested.