WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 374, 7 May 1866, Page 3

WAIROA.

IMPORTANT FROM THE “SEAT OF WAR.” A cobeespondent, writing under the respective dates given below, has furnished us with the following important information of the progress of affairs at Wairoa during the month. The information thus furnished may be relied upon as being substantially correct : 13th April. There are some very strange reports and rumors just now, and they may in this case bo relied upon. The public say that there are a large body of Uriweras cutting a bush track from Rua Tahuua to the Wairoa side of the Lake (Waikare Moana.) They muster, with Kereopa, Patara, and their people, several bunded strong (say 700,) and their intention is to make a descent upon Wairoa. The season is fast slipping away, and unless immediate steps are taken to stop these murderous disturbers of the peace, the war, instead of being at an end, will be only just commencing. The time is passing away when an expedition will be possible. Kereopa and Patara have escaped from Colonel Lyon at Opotiki, and have made Manga Piwhatu their head-quarters. “There are at least,” says a private person, “ to my knowledge, twenty hapus (tribes.)” The country is a most difficult one to •cross. Manga Piwhatu is only thirty miles from here as the crow flies, but the actual distance to be travelled is sixty, and that over almostinaccesaible hills, covered with scrub; in addition to all this, there are several rivers to cross. The road lies between the forks of Te Puni and Ko Mana rivers; and the head-quarters of the enemy lay about N.N.W. from hero. It will take at least four days to arrive at Manga Piwhatu. 20th April. There is no chance whatever of Te Waru and his party surrendering. He has joined Kereopa and the natives at Manga Powhatu What I told you last week is quite true, and every day you mav expect to hear some glorious news. The river is closed at the entrance, keeping the p.s. Huntress, Lady Bird, Taraipine, and Vivid, from putting to sea. The steamer floated as soon as the river closed on Friday, 13th April. There were two large scamperdown whales thrown on this beach, about a fortnight ago. I have not been able to find out what quantity of oil was taken from them. Toha, the pilot, was the fortunate person to find themI made a slight mistake last week. Instead of Manga Piwhatu being the head-quarters of Kereopa, it is Manga Fowatu. Wairoa is getting a most notorious place for balls. There was another held hero on Wednesday last. 27 th April. A number of natives left here on Monday lasts 23rd April, under Kopu, Ihaka, and Paora, of Mohaka, with the intention of surprising the Eau-haus. On Wednesday, they came across a party of the rebels on the river in their canoes, surrounded them, and took 56 prisoners. The friendly natives., report that the rebels are in a large pah close handy to this place. On Tuesday, the. 24th, Major Fraser, with the Volunteers and Military Settlers, left this place in search of the rebel stronghold. On Thursday night last, two privates and a sergeant returned. They report having taken 70 prisoners, but they saw nothing of the pah. Their object in returning was to procure provisions, and to take all the available force with them, as Major Fraser intends going right through to the East Coast. Te Waru has fallen back on his stronghold, Te Reni, Quite a sensation was caused here yesterday on the receipt of the mail from Napier, to find that the p.s. ‘ Huntress’ was to be laid up, and all her crew, with the exception of three, discharged. What can have caused this sudden change I cannot say; but there she is, moored stem and stern, in front of Mr Lockwood’s house, with the chief mate, engineer, and cook to take care of this most precious ornament. Wairoa, I think, is much further ahead.in the eporting line than Napier. On Saturday, 21st April, there were games of all kinds held at Turiroa. Walking the greasy pole seemed to afford the greatest amusement. The pole was fixed over a creek fourteen feet deep. The winner, Hori, a native, fell four times into the creek before he succeeded in walking to the end of the pole. There were roars of laughter as each competitor who was unfortunate enough to slip off was immersed in the creek. The whole township was at the camp, and every one seemed to enjoy themselves amazingly. 1 may mention that the sports on tbia occasion were in celebration of Mejor Fraser’s birth-day, which was last Monday week; but, owing to some of the men being the fan wu pat off till they should •tern. •