LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 142, 31 October 1868, Page 4

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Abandonment of Kakaramea. Abandonment of tbe Weraroa Redoubt. More Destruction of Property. Women and Children Return from Patea. Wanganui Times Office, Friday, 23rd Oct. Early yesterday morning, Kakaramea redoubt was abandoned by our men, and almost immediately taken possession of by the enemy. As our men retired, parties of Hauhaus set fire to the hitherto undestroyed houses around Kakaramea, right on to Patea. During the early part of yesterday, 24 of Captain Hirtzell’s men laid down their arms and refused to serve any longer. The men of other companies, whose time will expire in a few days, say that they will not serve a. day longer than they are bound to do. The small force in Patea is thoroughly disorganised and discontented at the treatment they receive from the Government; especially its disbanding and dismissing the best of the officers and men; its abandoning the settlers, and giving up their property to be destroyed by ruthless cannibals, and exposing themselves to destruction. The Sturt took off from Patea, and shipped on board the s.s. Rangatira, Yon Tempsky’s men bound for Auckland, they having refused to serve any longer. Consequent on this state of things the women and children have been sent down by the p.s. Sturt; and some of the merchants and storekeepers have succeeded in bringing down a quantity of their goods, which are now being stored in Wanganui. On Wednesday last Colonel Whitmore and Mr. Booth proceeded to Weraroa, and, after some conversation with Hunia, Kemp, and the other chiefs, ordered the whole of the Wanganui natives stationed there to hold themselves in readiness to march for Patea next morning. This morning Mr. Cassey, of the Shamrock Hotel, Patea, arrived in Wanganui, and informs us that at 11 o’clock last night he, whilst riding through at the risk of his life from Patea, met the whole of the Native Contingent with Colonel Whitmore at the Waitotara river. Some had crossed, others were in the act of crossing, and others at this side about to cross. Thus the Weraroa redoubt has been abandoned by Colonel Whitmore; and the whole of the Pakakohi, with a contingent of Tito Kowaru’s men, and the whole of the disaffected, are left in possession of the entire tract of country from the Patea river on to Kai Iwi.

Our friend, Tito Kowaru, has generously given the besieged settlers at Patea seven days’ notice to clear out, otherwise he will attack and exterminate them. As Colonel Whitmore, with some 450 of the Wanganui natives, will reach Patea to-day Tito may change his tactics, turn the Colonel’s flank, and send reinforcements to enable his men, now at this side the Patea, to occupy the Weraroa redoubt abandoned by Colonel Whitmore.

As we write—ll a.m. —the scene upon the Government wharf, where the p.s. Sturt has discharged the goods and chattels of the women and children brought down yesterday from Patea, arouses the indignation of all who witness the evidences of the ruin hurled upon those people by Colonel Haultain whilst carrying out the policy of the present Ministry. . We once more call upon Dr. Featherston, as Superintendent of this province, to wait upon his; Excellency the Governor, and place in his hands a written protest against the manner in which the settlers, in that portion of this province which lies between the Patea river to the Kai lwi, are being exposed to inevitable ruin by the suicidal policy of his Excellency ? s advisers.

The Sturtbrings thefollowing passengers; —Mrs. Sergeant and family, Mrs. Hirtzell, Mrs. Morrison, Misses Morrison, (2), Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. Jenkins, Misses Jenkins, {3), Mrs! Walker, Misses Mrs.ipavanagh and family,. Mrs. Loder and family, Mrs. Locker and 2 cM^en^Mra;.S^t. ; and 2 children, Mfs. Tenfold, (2), Misses Ginger, Connolly, and Wright. . Messrs. Casey,Wbsviorlhy, Southby, and Connolly. ; Dr.Bpwn dud 2 'Assistantsin medical! following wounded men: —Lieut. Ro-wgn, Corporal Lloyd, Privates Dbie and .Hyland. Also 10 dishdhded men. Yon Teinpsky’s Rangers; and about 20 sick lisb and time expired men. The Sturt also brings about ■ioo torik hafgo,;nohsigting'Ofinjscejjanepus stores 1 &4-r^-TpH-at ,tbe ; Wadgahaigadl, four wm be forWard^hy' tb day. - ■ ■■ •■■V I £•-