THE WEST COAST.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 653, 4 February 1869, Page 3

THE WEST COAST.

"We take the following from the Evening Herald, January 26 :

From further information to hand, we learn that the men killed yesterday belonged to the party of scouts, who are all picked men, and acquainted with the bush. It was an error in calling one of the killed * Kelly.' Mackenzie, a mulatto, and Cumniings, were killed, the latter being frightfully tomahawked. F. Williamson, the eon of our respected townsman of thai name, was shot through the thigh, and will be brought in to-day or to-morrow. The scouts, at the time of the attack, were looking out for the Hauhaus, but the latter were too sharp for them, and got into the gully, from which the attaek was made. We are informed that the Ivupapa cavalry behaved very badly, if not treacherously, on the occasion. Ihey saw the Hauhaus leave their horses in Mr T. Handler's paddock, from a hill on which they were stationed, and they never moved. Their conduct will probably lead to an inquiry, or their dismissal.

The following appears in the same journal of the 27th January:—

The Okehu has been crossed by a large portion of the force, and a position taken up in the bush. Colonel Whitmore promptly answered the rebel attack of yesterday by an advance. There are several advantages attending the strategy that is being used, which have been overlooked by what might be called the midnight-niarch-and-rush party. The greater number of the men have seen little or to fighting, and the gradual familiarising of them with the sound of the rifle is necessary to inspire confidence. In marching through the bush a large amount of caution and cunning is required to counteract the wonderful activity and boldness of the enemy. These qualities will bo called forth before any great battle takes place, and the men will be made acquainted with the foe they have to deal with. A direct line is being opened up, along which quick communication can be kept up with depots and the base of supplies. We are firmly convinced that the right measures are being adopted to drive Titokowaru from Nuku mam; but in this his line of retreat mav be left open. It might be advisable, at the proper time, to send a division behind to Perekamo, which would, in ease of his defeat, force him back into the bush. The enemy will assuredly stand and fight at Nukumaru. Eetreat at the present time is not a question for discussion with him. Tito is a deity, believed in as such by his followers, and possibly by himself. His assumption is not by any means an absurdity, if we consider the influence it gives him, arid the spirit it infuses into his men. He does not appear, even to a European, less of a god than Alexander or Canute, who! assumed as much. The two Hauhau prisoners, now in "Wanganui gaol, say that Tito cannot be defeated ; he is a god, and must come on to St. John's Bu3h. If his whole army is imbued with such a belief, as it most probably is, it is rather fortunate iur us. It indicates that a stand will be made at IS'ukumaru ; for the issue of the contest involves, to Tito, prestige, and a place among the gods. He cannot afford to be beaten back without the loss of the mighty power which exists in a deep faith. If lis is forced buck over the Wuitotara river, he will consider it a defeat to be driven from an old battle ground, where the Maoris always behaved with great bravery, and to a country where food is scarce, and without cattle or sheep. JSukumaru will be the great battle-field of the war, and Colonel Whitmore is right in introducing the element cf certainty into his strategy. "We must be prepared for surprises at all ; times, and we believe a desperate onslaught , in force. The character of the enemy we have to deal with warrants us in expecting , the most extraordinary deeds of daring, before that prestige, which has been gained . by successive victories, is destroyed, Titokowaru's men are as brave as he has the reputation himself of being prudent and subtle. Every man fights as though he were a company, and throughout the i whole of them there is the same spirit— , understanding the same means, and intent on the same object. We are not overrating the enemy j we are describing him j as he is whilst he continues to be victorious ; but defeat him and follow him up, - and all that is comprehended in prestige with a savage is gone. The limits of his power are becoming more circumscribed ; daily, and if he cannot break the cordon . he is strangled. Our suspense is, at present, as great as our hopes ; for a few cays , will decide much. Let us pray for a gaeat victory.

The Discoveey of Copper near Auek* land is reported. It is said that the mines are expected to equal in richness the famous Burra Burra mines, and can be very easily worked.

Fine Auts Exhibition*. —In some respects Otago far outstrips the other provinces of the colony. It has already had one Exhibition—a very successful Exhibition, all things considered—and now it proposes to have another. This time it is to be of pictures and works of art, and we understand that Mr H. Brandon, of Wellington, means to exhibit two water color drawings of subjects connected with this part of the country. One is a most picturesque view on the Bangitikei Itiver, and the other a landscape in the same neighborhood. Both depict the leading peculiarities of New Zealand scenery iu an admirable manner, and, in tone, color and treatment are said to be highly creditable to the taste Bnd execution of the artist.— Wanganui Chronicle, 21st Jan.