THE NATIVE WAR.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 455, 12 December 1868, Page 3

THE NATIVE WAR.

GREAT VICTORY ON THE EAST COAST. FIFTY OF TnE ENEMY KILLED. (from the ohristchukch papers.) Wellington, Dec. 6. Government have received a teles^am from Mr M'Lean, Hawkes Bay. The following is published in the Independent Extra: — "The rebel position was attacked yesterday. After a short hard struggle the rebels were driven in, leaving thirty dead and 6000 rounds of ammunition. Te Kooti, borne on a litter, together with 250 men, left some days before. The Ngnatiporou who followed, are reported to have overtaken Te Kooti. (This is doubtful.) Whitmore was off the East Coast last night, and was instructed by Richmond to land at the Wairoa. The Blanche was in sight." The Hon. Mr Hall has received the following telegram from the Government, which he has courteously placed at our disposal: — " The following telegram was received from Mr Richmond, dated Tnranganui, Dec. 4 : — Two-thirds of the enemy, under Waru, have decamped, taking Te Kooti and the other wounded with them. Eighty men left behind were attacked by the Ngpatiporou and twelve Europeans, and were dispersed. Thirtyseven dead bodies were found on the field, beside 3 others burned (or buried). The ground had not been thoroughly ext amined when the news left. The lo3s of the enemy was supposed to be fifty dead in all. Hama (the man who led the murderers at Turanga) was amongst them. Six thousand rounds of ammunition were recovered. Our casualties in the last fight were two Europeans wounded, one dangerously ; one native wounded. Total of casualties in all their operations — six killed, twenty-three wounded. The Ngatiporou and Heretaunga men have disagreed and abandoned the pursuit. lam trying to stop Whitmore and direct his force to Wairoa. A south-easter has come on before our Rob Roy men are. landed. I hope to retain all the Ngatiporou and a few of the Heretaunga, letting the main body return home. Mrs Wilson is out of danger." Dec. 7 The following telegram has been received from the. Hon. Mr J. C. Richmond, dated Turanganui, Dec. 5 : — The Ngatipora have fixed the nnemy in a mass about five miles above the former field of battle, and have began to fight, taking the outer fence with a loss of one killed and five wounded. Major Frazer's men are off, and will be on the ground to-morrow. [By Frazer's men are meant the detachment of the constabulary under his com- \ mancl.] All goes well. There is no grumbling amongst the Maoris, so far, at Whitmore. Igo up with him. The following is from Mr M'Lean, dated Napier, December 6, 9 50 a.m. : — Fifty-five more of the enemy were killed by the friendly natives six miles from the place of the last engagement. One friendly native was killed and five wounded.