NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 361, 26 March 1869, Page 3

NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

(Abridged from (he Dally Times. Wellington, March 15. The persons who brought the first news to Wanganui of the attack on Lieutenant Hunter’s Escort party tied on the first shot being fired, and greatly magnified the danger, The true facts of the case arc as fol-lows;-—A party of the enemy fired on the escort as they were crossing the river, hut did no harm beyond wounding a horse and smashing a tin of coffee- Our men returned the enemy’s fire, and pushed on at them, on which they bolted, and the Escort reached Wairoa without further molestation. Tito Kowaru is encamped in force near Okutuku. Colonel Whitmore estimates, from the size of his camp, that he must have nearly 1000 men, women, and children with him, the camp being at least four times as large as any former one. A good track has now been cut right through the bush iuto the open country. Kemp and his men are very anxious to distinguish themselves, and are very active in making themselves acquainted with the surrounding country. Head quarters, mortars, &c., have been moved on to Wairoa, There is a great deal of sickness in the camp, about sixty cases, mostly camp fever. Te Kooii failed to induce the Uriweras to join him in an attack on Opotiki. The remnant of the escaped Chatham Island prisoners with him numbers only fifty men. Wellington, March 16, 6.30. p.m. The Wanganui coach is just in. It brings the intelligence that Colone' Whitmore fell in with the enemy at Otoia on Saturday morning, having surprised themum’er cover of the mist. At early dawn he drove them under the fire of Colonel St John’s masked reserve. The fight lasted for four hours down a wooded gully. All the enemy’s tents many arms, end a number of women and children were captured. The enemy’s loss in killed is supposed to be heavy, as seven bodies were seen, and many more were carried off. Our loss ; s four killed and twelve woun ’el. Kemp and the Kupapas are in pursuit. Wellington, March 17. Mr. Booth has spoken witli the prisoners, and he reports to Government that the effect of Tito’s defeat is likely to prove most important. His Ngaraura allies have alreadyleft him and retired up the Waitotara, The Pokakoku chiefsWharematangi.Te Onekura, and Taura, are said to be highly disgusted and certain to desert, Tito Te Karatau, with ten followers, has already retired far inland of Waingongora, and the appearance of ammunition that has been captured leads to the belief thatthoenemy is runningshort. A 1 their supplies and means of communication witli central tribes are now cut off. Colonel Whitmore is actively following up the fugitives, and is endeavouring to cutoff their retreat into the fastnesses of the interior. One of the women captured states that the notorious deserter, Kimball Bent, is said to have been with Tito Kowaru, and that lie is reportedtobavobeen shot through the laws. Whaka Man, the Maori murderer, is ordered to be hanged on Tuesdav next. He has conffssed the justice of the sentence, and expresse’ penitence for the crime. This morning he was baptized by Archdeacon HaJllcld. Wellington, March 19. A requisition, bearing two hundred signatures, was presented to day to the Superintendent, asking him to call a public meeting to arrange measures for the reception of the Prince. A meeting will accordingly be called as soon as the Council disposes of the £2OO voted for the purpose. To day’s “Gazottce” notifies, That the New Zealand Government have withdrawn from his Honor Donald M‘Lean, Esq., the authority he has hel! as its agent on the East Coast. It is pro umed that this has been done on account of Mr. M‘Lean preventing Ropata and the Ngatiporou from proceeding to the West Coast. The commission of Captain Trevatt, of St John’s Cadet Corps, Canterbury, has been cancelled, for absence from the province without leave. Miss Harriet Gordon died at Auckland on the 13th inst. Napier, March 19. Messrs. Bold and Grindell, who have returned from Taupo, state that the Hau-hans are constantly holding meetings there, and that the Friendlies are very apprehensive. In coming down here they crossed the track left by a war party, which had passed two hours before. Te Kooti is said to have gone to seeßcwi, Ropata and his men left for their homes to-day by the Muriwai. At Turiroa and Wairoa the settlors have been warned of their dangerous position by the officer commanding the district. News from Auckland states that Colonel M‘Donnell has resigned, and is going to Australia.

Wellington, March, 21. The “Wanganui Times” states that the scout Fleurs has died of his wounds, making the total killed in the engagement at Otoia five--viz., Constables Bath, Stephenson, Smith, Gundry, and Fleurs. Nothing has yet been heard of the result of Kemp’s pursuit of the fugitives. One of tho women captured states that Tito Kowarn was not present at the engagement, having left with sixty num for Tara-

haki a few days before it took place. She also says that the Wniiotara natives only joined the rebels under compulsion while they occupied their territory, that they declined to follow Tito Kowaru across the river, and that they were very glad when he left. Major Noake has issued the following notice : been broken np by Colonel Whitmore, a portion thereof has returned to Waitotarn. That district, therefore, is considered unsafe, and 1 am instructed by Colonel Whitmore to warn settlersof the danger attending journeys in the district in small unarmed parties.” Telegrams received by the Government confirm the report that Wyllie has shot the murderers of his son. Just before the notice of the withdrawal of his powers as Government Agent was telegraphed to Mr. M'Leau ho ha 1 sailed with Ropata, in a schooner, for some unknown destination, without communicating with the Government. The Duke of Edinburgh is expected to arrive here about the 29th inst. The Governor has conferred the Colonial Order of Valor upon Constables Herraro Kepate Ahuriri, Solomon Black, and Benjamin Biddle, for gallant conduct.