LATEST FROM WANGANUI.

Evening Post, Issue 12, 21 February 1865, Page 2

LATEST FROM WANGANUI.

The following communication has been received per s.s. Wanganui, from the special correspondent of the Independent: — Saturday, February 18, 1865. On Thursday morning, at 1 a.m., the General started with a force of about 1000 men of all ranks for the Patea, and arrived there about 8 a.m., not meeting any opposition on the road. The Sandfly and Gundagai accompanied the expedition along the coast, and entered the Patea liver safely. Owing to the long continued drought, there is very little water in the river, much less than was ever known before. The General has pitched his camp : on the south side, overlooking the river, on a high commanding bluff. During the march the contractors lost some twenty 01* thirty bullocks, which broke away from the main body and could not be got again. The Sandfly and Gundagai, on their road up, noticed two canoes on the beach, so steamed close in, sent boats on shoie and ; brought them off. These vessels arc very handy indeed for this work. The camp at Nukuinaru has been broken up, and so there U now no intermediate station between ' Waitotara and Ktii-iwi, the consequence of which is that the natives have almost sole possession of the country between Waitotara and the settlement, which makes it ruthef dangerous travelling. Uno of the canteen keepers, who was riding in company with some others, was fired at, on his road from the camp to the town, but fortunately escaped. There is a great want of management as usual in our Militia departments, tha particulars of which I will send you next mnil. There is no more news from up the river, awd they are just as likely to keep quiet for a bit, for when the messenger left the friendly natives mustered 300 to to 400, and the rebels about 200. The Sandfly and Gundagai came from Patea yesterday, at 4 p.m. The latter steamed for intea at 7 a.m, this morning again.