LATEST FROM AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 168, 1 April 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

LATEST FROM AUCKLAND.

[As the following appeared in only a portion of our supplement of Monday last, we again insert in our columns.] By the Queen, which arrived here yesterday, we have news from Auckland to the 24th inst. From the Daily Southern Cross of that date we extract the following latest news:— ADVANCE ON MAUNGATAUTARI. Although we have received no communication to that effect, we have reason to believe that the General advanced upon Mauugatautari on Tuesday morning. The combined force that would be ready to move from Ngaruawahia and Te Awamutu on that day was something like 2,000 men. The distance between Te Awamutu and Maungatatari is about 30 miles, and it was contemplated performing the journey in one day. The hour for the start was to be 6 o’clock a.m., and the baggage was to be taken by packhorses. The following troops were to march from Te Awamutu :—620 of the 50th Regiment, 520 of the 70th Regiment, 190 marines and sailors, Jackson’s company of Forest Rangers, 25 of the Defence Corps, 80 of the 65th Regiment, and about 20 of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers. No guns were to be taken from Te Awamutu, the twelve and six-poundershavingalready been removed to Rangiawhia, where they were to remain. 400 troops w T ere to move up from Ngaruawahiain the direction of Maungatautari, and as no guns will be taken from Te Awamutu, it was expected they would take with them several pieces of ordnance. It was rumored that the General would establish a post about 3 miles from Maungatatari, before advancing on the native pa or fortifications. It is to be presumed that it was ascertained that the rebels were in force at Maungatautari, or so many troops would not have been employed. The positions in the rear of the General would be properly garrisoned. Yesterday has been pointed to as the day on which the fight—if fight there was to be—was to take place ; but if a post was to be established 3 miles from the enemy’s position, and a reconnaissance made before the attack, it would probably delay it, but still we may expect hourly either to hear of an engagement, or of the peaceable occupation of Maungatatari through the retreat of the natives.