THE NATIVE WAR.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 642, 1 March 1870, Page 3

THE NATIVE WAR.

TWELVE OF THE ENEMY KILLEE BY KEMP'S FORGE. The Southern Cross gives the folloAving telegrams : — Napier, Feb. 14. Three of the Htnihaus killed in the late engagement with Major Mair's force were recognised as Chatham Island prisoner. One of those Captured, a half-caste named Louis Baker, and also a former prisoner at Chatham Islands, has since died of his wounds. [Baker, after he was captured, tried to escape again, when lie was shot down by Major Drummond Hay.] Napier, Feb. 16. Mr Hamlin ptarted last evening for Wairoa to take command of a native expedition from that place into the Urewera country. Ropata lias gone to the Ngatiporou country for a contingent from thence, with which he will form a junction with the others at Orepoto. The united forces will probably cross the lake by means of the boats built by Herrick and sunk there. The object seems to be to enter the country at all points, so as to render Te Kooti's. escape impossible. The same paper of February 18 states : We are indebted to the Hon. D. M'Lean, Native Minister, for the following very satisfactory piece of information :— Mr Way arrived in Auckland yesterday from the Thames, having travelled overland from Taurauga via Ohinenuiri. Just before leaving Tauranga a gentleman named Hunter had arrived at that place from Maketu, wjth despatches for the ■\ Hon. the Defence Minister, which were forwarded to Auckland by a vessel named the Jane, then about leaving. The information he brought was to the effect that a number of Te Kooti's men had lain in ambush near Ohiwa, but failed to shoot any of the friendlies. As the Hau-haus were retiring from the ambush they were met by a party under Major Kemp, and twelve of the rebels killed. The natives belonged to the same party that so recently made an attack upon Ohiwa. Te Kooti was reported to be making all possible speed to reach the Urewera country. The Southern Cross, of February 22, gives the following later intelligence from Napier : — Te Kooti i 3 said to be at Kaiteriria. Colonel M'Dqnnell was expected there after him.on Sunday. If the news is correct our forces are almost certain to come up with him. A force has been ordered from Taupo to intercept him. It has oozed out that Major Roberts has been caught in an ambuscade twelve miles beyond Tupaehararu, when Sergeant Carkeek was killed. He was led into it by Kepa, a native trooper, believed to be a staunch friendly, but who afterwards went over to the enemy with his arms and ammunition. Our Tarauaki correspondent writes : — Nbw Plymouth, Feb. 23. Some*natives have set fire to a quantity of cut flax belonging to the flax works at the Waitara. It has been done from political reasons, not from any personal spite against the owners of the mill. ,= . Napier, Feb. 23. Mr Oarkeek has turned up all right at Tapiharauru. Kepa, a constabulary native, has deserted to the Uriwera. He received a decoration for brave conduct on the West Coast. - Two of Te Kooti's scouts were seen near Tarawera ou Friday last.