LATEST FROM WANGANUI.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 147, 5 December 1868, Page 4

LATEST FROM WANGANUI.

The Independent, of the Ist instant, says : Cobb’s coach last night brought Wanganai papers to the 26th instant. A passenger reports that all was quiet on the Coast. The intelligence from the Front is not important. Nothing more is known of Titoko Waru’s whereabouts. The Chronicle states that the enemy in the ; field, from Te Ngutuotemanu to Waitotara, cannot number more than 300 men. The same journal says : —A military movement in a forward direction is, we understand, about to be ; made, if it is not partly accomplished by the .time this sees the light. As it is a movement which may take some time to develope, it would be premature to enter into particulars or publish ; details. The weather at the Front is very dis- ; agreeable just now—rain pouring, wind blowing, and tents flapping. THE MAORI KINO ORDERS A GENERAL RISING. On Saturday evening letters, from certain natives up the river, were received in town—one of them by Mr. Duller, R.M.—intimating that the King had signified his wish that there should be a general rising of the Hauhaus all over the island. The following is a copy of one of these documents : One of these letters addressed to Meti Kingi, Matae, Kepa, Kawana, Tamehana, Taiawhio, Hakaria, and to all who live at Putiki Waraui. This is another word : the whole island has risen. The work for Titoko Warn is from Te Ngutuotemanu to Pokenamu (Rutland Stockade) —he will not cross the Wanganui river. Beginning at Te Ngutuotemanu, and on to Mokau, the work is to be done by Te Whiti. From Mokau to Manukau the work is to be done by some other man. From Manukau by Wahanni to Auckland and to Hauraki ; from Hauraki to Maketu, the work is to be done by Tuiwi. From Maketu to Ahuriri by some other man ; from Ahuriri to Wellington, from Wellington to Wangaehu, and no further in that direction, i.e , riot to Wanganui,—the reason is the word of Tawhiao, “Do not commit evil in Wanganui [river] ; let Wanganui be the clear place iu the whole island, although all the rest of the island should be at war, let Wanganui river be open as a window,” AFFAIRS IN WANGANUI.

A correspondent of the Independent says the position of affairs at this date is this ;—The Waitotara block is devastated, the settlers’ stock in great part destroyed, Colonel Whitmore with some 350 men occupy the left bank of the Kai Iwi, which is our front, at least in the direction of Taranaki. The great majority of settlers between Kai Iwi and Wanganui have come to town, as have also most of the settlers up the river. Many of the left bank settlers have brought their families in, and others would do so, but they cannot afford it, for to do so requires money. The excitement is as great in the Turakina and Rangitikei districts. There the settlers have constructed redoubts, and if rumor be correct they will be needed. This morning (Sunday) 140 men, Armed Constabulary, inarched into town from Colonel Whitmore’s force, and went right through to Turakina. Their particular destination I cannot say, but owing to a report that Titoko Waru had crossed the Wanganui, river, had effected a junction with that arch-rebel Pehi, and intended getting the Rangitikei Hauhaus to join him also, it was considered necessary to strengthen the Turakina-Rangitikei district. That the authorities looked upon the state of affairs in Rangitikei as very critical is evident from their dividing Whitmore’s force. The Wanganui district, from Kai Iwi to the Rangitikei, is now surrounded by heaven only knows how many Hauhaus. A great many of the arms recently issued to the natives will be used against us. The natives say so themselves; and, having seen, that the Government cannot reward their semi-loyalty with protection, they are bound to join the rebels. Gloomy indeed are our present and future prospects, dark clouds hovering round, unfortunately no silvery lining within. His Excellency has paid us a visit, but beyond acting as Stafford’s mouthpiece he has done nothing. The people presented to his Excellency a petition for the removal of the Defence Minister from office, and for once the editors of the three local papers were unanimous. The three were on the deputation, and told the Governor some rather unpleasant truths. Mr. Stafford, as usual, denied everything, and tried to attach blame to everyone. The only redeeming point in (Mr Stafford’s) the Governor’s reply to the people’s address was the in which the Americans were alluded to.