WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 210, 6 January 1865, Page 3

WANGANUI.

Native Intelligence. —We lately alluded to a rumoured move northwards on the* part of the troops, who, it was said, were going to Waitotara. It turned out that the preparations were merely for a field day at the Westmere, whitch came off on the Bth inst. As the troops marched out they were seen by some natives, who at once galloped off to Waitotara with the news that the soldiers were advancing, and it was, of course, sent flying down the coast. The effect is that a very large numb rof Ngatiruanui, Waikato, and Taranaki natives, and even sonic from Waitara, are already at Waitotara,"prepared for fighting, and more are daily arriving. Already they have commenced making themselves troublesome to the road party, entering the tents, and helping themselves to food and anything else that takes their fancy, as well as endeavoring to coax or bully the men into selling ilv-in everything convertible into a weapon. They have been particularly anxious to buy the blasting powder, of which a good deal has been employed in forming the road, and the men using it have been considerably alarmed lest the natives should rush it. It is even said they are buying up the camp-ovens and saucepans of the men, and breaking them into slugs. The head of the soldier lately killed at Taranaki has been dried, and brought to Waitotara, and a crusade under it similar to that under Captain Lloyd's is being preaelied. From up the river we learn that the friendly natives areon thealert, and that everything ■ remains as it was last week. It is, however, reported that some Pipiriki natives have gone across to \V aitotara, aiid that a large numper of Waikatos have crossed towards Waitara by the Taumata maho path..