POVERTY BAY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 325, 20 November 1865, Page 2

POVERTY BAY.

COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES!! j_FßOii oua ows cafiBEsroHDENT.] Turanganui, 12th Nov., 1883. The only incidents worthy of remark that have occurred subsequent to those narrated in the Times, received this day, has been the arrival on Thursday last, the 9th hist., of Morgan and his men, numbering it is said 250, and later in the day of Major Fraser, with Military Settlers, Hawke’s Bay Volunteers, and Forest Rangers, from Waiapu, which timely arrival has increased the Pakeha force, including the above and the Defence Force, to about 150 men. Of natives there are said to be (in addition to those uuder Morgan) 50 with Henare Potae ; and Hirini te Kawe and Paul Parau say they are able to muster 150 between them; but I have not as yet seen any such number as that. Morgan has a pa situated on the opposite side of the river to the Wilson redoubt, and about a mile and a half off. On the 10th inst. (Friday) he received from Lazarus Rukupu a threatening message, which resulted in the detailing off of the Forest Rangers for his protection. They accordingly crossed over and encamped by his pa, and have assisted him in digging rifle pits, &c. On Saturday, the 11th, he (Morgan) and his men went on a reconnoitring expedition for some seven or eight miles in the direction of the Hau-haus, and to within about a their earthworks, returning in the evening; but lam unable to say with what results. Your Superintendent, Mr D. M‘Lean, is still with us, but the nature of his communications with the rebels are not made public, though it is said that he has named a time for the commencement of operations against them unless they submit. For this everything is in a state of complete preparation ; and as there is no question as to whether or not Major Fraser, the officer in command, is “ the right man in the right place,” it is reasonable to suppose that there will be some interesting matter to report ere long.

15th November. On Monday, the 13th, Lazarus Rukupo had some communications with Mr M‘Leun, to the effect, it is said, that the Hau-haus would submit and come in on the next day, in compliance with the terms proposed to them ; but I need hardly say that they did not do so, and that it was only a ruse to gain time. The expectation that they would do so, if it ever existed, is now dissipated, and to-mor-row at noon has been named as the last minute that will be allowed them, during which they can avail themselves of the opportunity. We are all being sworn in and supplied with arms during yesterday and to-day, and will have to fight in some corps—some of us in the Military Settlers, some in the Volunteers, and some in the Forest Rangers. We expect to have work to do ere to-mor-row evening. 16th November, 2 p.m. In great haste. We are all, pakehas and Maoris, falling in to march at once -to the Hau-haus’ camp, and we expect to camp in their immediate vicinity this night. All are in the most excellent spirits, having, to a man, the utmost confidence in their leader and commander. Major Frazer, and which is certainly not misplaced.

Thk Waieaei Outeage. —We are glad lo be able to report the capture of the notorious Waata Kohikohi, who, it wsll.be remembered, lately consjaiilted a murderous assault upon tho persons of two settlers at Walkari, Mohaka. As we suspected, when lie found that ho was wanted, and that the natives were willing lo give him up, he took himself off towards the camp of the rebels in the direction of Waikato. He was, however, outflanked by Psora Berepu and some twelve men, who had followed him tip tho river, and succeeded in an unexpected manner in taking him prisoner—bringing him on to port in the ketch Sailors’ Bride. Ho was brought before the Napier Resident Magistrate on-Thursday last, and remanded till Friday, the 2ith inst., for the appearance of witnesses of the assault.