LATEST WAR NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 695, 28 June 1869, Page 2

LATEST WAR NEWS.

We have received the following information from the General Govern ment Agent: — WAIKARIMOANA. Despatches were received from Waikarimoana on Friday night last, per the s.s. St. Kilda, dated 19th, 22nd, and 23rd June. All communication had been cut off for several days by incessant rain and heavy floods; but the weather cleared up on the 22nd. Nothing of importance had been going on since our last report. Preparations for crossing the Lake are making as steady progress as the weather would permit,

LATEST. Despatches were received early on Sunday morning from Col. Herrick, dated 25th irist. These were only 40 hours on the road. The weather had cleared up after a continuance of many days' heavy rain, which had caused floods in all the rivers, and interrupted the communication between Wairoa and the Front. Colonel Herrick would shortly be in a position to visit the opposite shore of the Lake, and to reap the fr>iits of his perseverance under difficulties and obstacles of almost insurmountable character in preparing his flotilla. The settlements on the shores of Waikarimoana have long been a source of standing menace to the Wairoa, Mohaka, and other places ; but we may hope shortly+o root out the lawless banditti who are harbored there, and to restore confidence to our settlers who have been expobed to their outrages.

TAUPO. An important despatch was received on Saturday afternoon from Captain St. George, dated Tapuehararu, 25th inst. Captain St. George reports that Te Kooti is now at Moerangi, a few miles ..from the southern end of the Lake. He has only 100 men with him, and intends to make a stand. He has sent letters to the Hauhaus and few friendly natives on the western shore, asking them to join him ; but it is understood that they have declined to do so. The King party are also against him. as far as can be made out. On his march up the eastern shores he destroyed Te Hatapi, and killed one man, perhaps two. He then went on to Te Kura and Waihi, and is reported to have burnt those places. Hori Tautika and Kingi, with their people, had retired in the direction of Wanganui. Te Heu Heu and Taurini are reported to have been taken prisoners, or to have joined him. From Hatapi, or Tauranga, the Uriwera portion of Te Kooti's force returned towards their own country. As far as ct»n be ascertained these number about 100. Hotipu Tamamutu and 30 men had gone from Tapuehararu round the Lake, as far as Hatapi, to look for

stray friendlies that may be about the kaingas, and were to rewj an thfi 25th inst.. Capt. St. had at Tapuehararu some 63 Taupo natives, and 100 Arawas, which m> a sufficiently large force to. attach Moerangi. 100 more Arawas were on their way up to assist. A. prj. soner who escaped from Te Kooti had just arrived, and stated that %. Kooti was on his way up the shore ra attack Tapuehararu; Capt.. St. George says they are quite. ready to receive him, and do not re. quire any more help.. Brigade-major Birch, who arrived here from Fort Galatea a few days since with despaches, returned from Te Haroto last night. The ferry at the church crossing of the Mohaka, between Pohui and Te Haroto, is now in complete order. A large canoe is worked by a wire cable, and affords a safe and ready communication in any state of the river. Those who have been in the habit of travelling this road will appreciate the advantage which this ferry affords.

The telegraph station will be shifted in a few days to Te Haroto where the post is now in a state of defence against any attempt at surprise. The inclement weather of late has delayed the completion of the arrangements for opening this additional portion of the telegraph line to Taupo and Auckland beyond the time fixed. Captain Coventry, late of the 79th Regiment, marched on Saturday afternoon, with the detachment of Guides, to reinforce the garrison at Te Haroto. This is a fine body of men.

From Captain St. George's despatch it would appear that the report of 21 of Paora Hapi's people having been killed by Te Kooti is incorrect, only one, or at most tvvo, having been killed ; and there is reason to hope from other accounts that these people are only hiding somewhere. Paora Hapi, with 20 men, and his women and children, are with our garrison at Te Haroto. The Government have ghen gratuities of £5 each to Constables Raymond and Brooking for their zeal and courage in carrying despatches between Fort Galatea and Te Haroto. Mr Macdonald (overseer to Mr Cox), who, immediately after the affair at Opepe, volunteered to open up communication with Fort Galatea from this side, and succeeded in doing so, declined any reward for his services. He has offered to continue them at any time when his doing ?o does not interfere with his station duties 1 ; and the Government have to thank him warmly for his disinterested services on several occasions.

Cheap Flour.—On the 18th insfc f Messrs. Rod and Hounsell, Nelson* quoted fine flour at .£lO per ton. Bangatira.—This steamer is announced to steam for Wellington and Southern Ports on Friday next, 2nd July. Lord Ashley.—"We have been informed that the s.s. Lord Ashley is undergoing some repairs to her machinery at Auckland, and will probably not be here for three weeks. Wellington.—This steamer, we learn, may be expected to. arrive from the Southern Ports about Tuesday or Wednesday next, and will have quick despatch for Auckland. We wou 1 d remind nv embei s of the Napier Rifle Volunteers that the usual monthly inspection parade takes place at 7 a%m. on Saturday next, 3rd July. The Grayling.—No doubt now remains of the fate of this, vessel and her crew. The bodies of Cap*. Schon and his mate, Gu stave Beicnardt, have been found on the beach and buried. The Muriwai, as.vas hoped, had managed to reach lofls Point without loss. Captain Schon> who was much respected, leaves * widow and young child to moufl 1 his loss, which has thrown quite * gloom over the community. AndreAv Schon was a native f Denmark, and is the third of-N family who has been drowned oB this coast, his brothers Thomas 0 Charles having been lose in r. cutter Dolphin, which left AucWp for Napier on the 2nd May and has never since been heard o>