THE NATIVE WAR.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 454, 10 December 1868, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR.

The news to hand from the front by the overland mail, which arrived on Tuesday, is not so late as the intelligence we published on Satnrday last. We extract the following items from the Christchurch papers, as they contain further details of events already noticed : — Wellington, Nov. 26.. The latest news from the Waikato it that all the redoubts are being repaired. Every day the hope becomes stronger that no fighting will take place. A letter from a relative amongst the Kingites to a friendly chief says the King declares "No cloud shall ever rise in Waikato, unless the English drag me out of my house. Do not heed the talk that you may hear. There is nothing in it. Do not listen to it." Wednesday was appointed as a day of mourning and supplication at Taranaki, in reference to the massacre. The Herald says no part of New Zealand can sympathise as Taranaki's experience enables it to do. At a public meeting it was resolved to contribute a sum of money for the sufferers. On Satxirday night the rebels threw up a breastwork and palisading within 1200. yards of Colonel Whitmore's camp. They kept up a continual firing all Sunday forenoon, but without any casualties on our side. There has been no attempt made to dislodge them.' It is supposed their boldness is adopted to cover some intended movement. There is no foundation for the report that Titokowaru had crossed the Wanganui river. The messenger is much to blame for circulating false reports, and causing such alarm. A redoubt is to be at once erected, with stockade, at Foxton, whore the settlers of Manawatu may take refuge when necessary. Colonel Whitmore is at Goodall's redoubt, with all his forces, doing nothing but drilling. The abandonment of the "Wereroa redoubt is most disastrous, as is tacitly admitted by the Government. Colonel Haultain and Colonel Whitmore have really no plans of action. Things are as bad as they can be, and xiniversal consternation prevails. Major M'Donnell offered his assistance to the Government unreservedly, and he • was directed to form a Native Contingent of 400 Friendlies ; but, after the bad and injudicious treatment received by the Friendlies from Colonel Haultain there was no probability of them serving with us again, and the formation of a Native Contingent is not likely to succeed. Mete Kingi, M.H.R., has spread dissatisfaction amongst his tribe, and his support is now worse than nothing. Wellington, Dec. 1. Mr Richmond accompanied the 1 volunteers which sailed in the Rob Roy for Napier. The city militia of over 1500 strong are not yet armed, the supply being short. A proclamation calls out for active service the Volunteers at Taranaki, Patea, Wanganni, Rangitikei, Manawatu, Wellington, Wairarapa, Castle Point, Napier, Poverty Bay, and Opotiki. The corps are to meet at head-quarters and the commanding officer of each district fixes the date. The Blanche's market boat was capsized, and the crew of twelve were picked up by the shore boats. Cobb's coach has just arrived from.. Wanganui. The following are the chief items of news : — Two of Titokowaru's spies have been captured ; and from them it has been ascertained that Tito has received no communication from the King. Tito's force amounts to eight hundred men. The cavalry attacked a party of rebels and killed eight ; the whole of them would have been caught completely, but for the accidental discharge of a carbine. The enemy turned out and followed the oavalry for three miles. Tito is encamped at Waitotara, and has six bell tents. Colonel Whitmore writes denying the correctness of the secret expedition. All the main facts as stated, he. says, are untrue. • Dec. 2. In consequence of a deficient attendance of officers at officers' drill, a circular is to be issued requiring attendance, or the resignation of commission. The West Coast constabulary, all told, number nearly 800, abont 250 being stationed at Patea and Wairoa, the remainder, including the cavalry, at Kai Iwi. A postscript to a private letter an? nounces that Tito had just made his appearance close to Kai Iwi stream. Both forces are in sight of each other, and skirmishing is going on. Accounts from Rangitikei and other places along the coast are reassuring ; so much so that M. Chevalier starts sketching to-morrow with introductions to several principal chiefs* Six hundred and five " wives, mothers, and daughters of Wanganui settlers," have sent the Governor a petition to the Queen. It concludes,— "To avert; ex* tinction of ourselves and those dearest to* us, under circumstances equal, if not exceeding, barbarities perpetrated in Poverty Bay district, your memorialists humbly supplicate your Majesty to direct that the efforts of the loyal and well affected of this district and island be speedily supplemented by the aid of Imperial troops." No news from Patea for a long while; the Sturt having made four unsuccessful attempts to get there.