WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 293, 31 July 1865, Page 2

WANGANUI.

Ope files are to the 22nd: PiEiHiSl.—We mentioned in our last that this & bad been surrounded by rebel Maori*, authentic intelligence has since been received. The only intelligence that has arrived, is given by a Maori woman from Hinuharama, who brought it from three natives, who stated that they Taw and heard what they reported. These natives were three of the Ohoutahi prisoners, who, with .s*oPO!?eir fellow-prisoners, were lately released by the Government, and all of whom, except these three, are now fighting in the rebels’ ranks. These men reported that the natives attacked Captain Brassey’s position on Wednesday and that fighting was going on all that day. On Thursday morning, they state that one of the redoubts was rushed by the natives and taken, but we conclude merely that they saw it on fire that is the tents and a whare inside of the redoubt —from the distance of half-a-mile. There are three redoubts at Pipiriki - one, the bushrangers’ about seventy yards from the main position, and about thirty feet higher than it, held by the bushrangers, under Capt. Hirst, who however is At present in town, and in whose absence the command devolves on Lieut. Newland; another small redoubt, about 300 y ards further down the river than the main position; and the main redoubt, which is commanded by the bushrangers’ post. It is the. bushrangers’ redoubt that is said to be takene But it is thought possible that the fire which the natives saw may have been caused by the burning by Captain Brassey of the whares in the old pah, which was on the same ridge as the redoubt, and in case of an atrack might have offered shelter to the enemy. It would appear that the attack was from the upper side of Pipiriki, so that it appears to be surrounded. It is said that the natives have occupied a grave yard on the side of the hill commanding the whole position ; but that is we suspect, merely a supposition. Precise reports were circulating yesterday as to the number killed but to them no credit is to be attached. The original native report is that several were killed on both sides. One thing is certain that the rebels are most anxious to regain Pipiriki, and that they have surrounded it with a strong anxiety to accomplish their object. The garrison has provision for three weeks, but much of the pork and beef has been condemed as bad. It is jaid, howriver, that they are short of ammunition. The natives at Wereroa were anxious to go up the river on Monday as soon as the intelligence was received, but his Excellency the Governor retained them till the Wereroa afiair should be settled. They are coining in to-day and will go up the river to-morrow. We understand that they are to be accompanied by 100 men of the 57th regiment, under Major Stewart, and that Lieut.-Colonel Logan will head .the expedition, accompanied by Mr Broughton as interpreter.—Wanganui Chronicle.