LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 684, 21 May 1869, Page 2

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

We have been favored bv the General Government agent with the following important intelligence:— Despatches from Col. Whitmore, dated Ahikereru, 15th May, were received here yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. St. John's column took Ruatahuna on the Bth; and Whitmore's column joined him there on that day. Our forces were not vigorously opposed, but have taken and bui*nt every pa and kainga anywhere short of Waikari and Ma\mgapowhabi. There had been considerable trouble in moving the Arawas forwards, and at last in attempting to go to Waikari all decided to go back except about 60 under Fox and Reive, with whom Col. Whitmore marched for Waikari The remainder of the Arawas, with the Whakatane natives, went backwards to Horomonga, the Whakatane native* undertaking to carry out wounded* Ultimately the 60 would not go on, and Whitmore was obliged to retrace his steps to Ahikereru, which he reached unpursued, and which would have been left uncovered if he had not returned thither. The Arawas and Whakatane natives appeared to be pursued in retiring by the Uriwera?, but not in great force. Their column is large, but they have a dread of this country. Whitmore had sent a European force to meet and support them when they came out of the bush. Our forces had iought Te Kooti and driven Trim, back with some loss towards Waikari Lake, but whether they went there or remained to defend the road was not ascertained. Our loss has been .7 killed and 8 wounded. We have got 20 bodies of the enemy, and many more were hit. We have destroyed large quantities of food. Our Europeans have behaved very well, but are bootless and weak on potato diet. The names of the officers killed are, Lieut. White and poor Travers, both well-known and much regietted. Colonel Whitmore saya Herrick will probably find nobody at Waikari Lake, and he is not sure that

there is much food there. The bulk of the remaining food is at Maungapowhatu. Whitmore was going to try again by secret road to get to Waikari Lake to see if he could cooperate with Herrick as soon as he heard of his preparing to cross the Lake. He had managed supplies for the next ten days, and was going to push up more. The pontoons for the flotilla intended for Waikariinoana were tested resterday (Thursday) by Capt. Fox, of the s.s. St. Kilda, and found to answer admirably. The s.s. St. Kilda will steam for Wairoa as soon as the weather permits her to land at that place. The Armed Constabulary on board of her will be disembarked this mornmg, and marched overland to join Herrick's force. They will be under command of Ensign Tupper, of the Napier Militia, who goes to the front on active service A telegram from the Defence Office, Wellington, was received ,on Wednesday night, to the effect that Colonel Lyon had scouted Te Ngutu o te Manu, and had found nobody there.