WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 231, 24 February 1865, Page 3

WANGANUI.

' THE FRONT. Camp, Waitotara Rivei, Tuesday, Feb. 7. No news of importance to communicate. The small redoubt on the left bank of the river has been completed, and a large redoubt on the right bank commenced. Stores and huts will in all probability be erected as soon as the redoubt is finished, a large portion of the space inside having been set apart from the erection of sto/res. A parly of cavalry were out . reconnoitring the left bank of the river this morning. They advanced close to a Maori village about a mile and a half from camp, when a number of rebels were observed gathering potatoes in a field within a few hundred yards: they returned Jo camp without exchanging shots. -

Wednesday, Feb. 8.

The Gundagai arrived in the river this morning from Wanganui, with ammunition and supplies; she also brought a light field-piece from town for the purpose of replacing the one here at present, which will move forward with the force The Sandfly is lying to, outsids the bar, with a gun of the same description on board. These guns are to be placed iu the redoubts which have been erected at this post. There is every prospect of an early shift from this camp. It is expected that the head-quarters’ force will move forward in the direction of the Patea river, leaving a strong force at this place. The rebels seem to have some indication of our intention to move forward without paying them a visit at their stronghold on the loft bank of flic river, as large fires have been burning away to our left and pretty close to the sea beach, in fact just on the line that the force would march. The rebels are supposed to be fortifying themselves in our front, and arc preparing- to dispute the advance of the troops across the block. It is reported in camp that the 14th Regiment is to garrison the town of Wanganui; if so, it stands to reason that it is the intention of the General to dispense with the services of the militia, as he would never dream of keeping the militia as they are at present, to garrison the outposts, while the soldiers wore guarding their wives and families in-town. I have

heard that the whole of the siege train is ordered into Wanganui from Alexander’s Farm, whether to embark from this post or to remain iu town 1 am not aware.

A settler lost his team of bullocks yesterday—they strayed outside the lines and were driven, off by the Maories. 1 understand he cun ill afford the loss, and it is to be hoped that CommissionerGeneral Strickland will make this matter a special exception, and represent to the General Commanding both the necessity and justice of allowing the settler in question some compensation for the loss of Ins cattle. Since the increase of the pay from £1 2s. (id. to £I-7s Gd. ? the owners of bullocks are responsible for any loss that may occur among their cattle with the exception of being shot in battle, iu which case they would be paid the value of thorn. They would prefer to remain as they were, viz., with the £1 2s. 6d. per clay and the Government to be responsible for the loss of any cattle. — Correspondent of the Chronicle.