LATEST FROM NAPIER.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 150, 26 December 1868, Page 4

LATEST FROM NAPIER.

Reinforcements for Wairoa. Contemplated attack on Te Koote. Whitmore ready for Action. A lot of Spies taken prisoners near Wairoa. Disgust of the people at the Government. Turanganui, Dec. 12. —Two women came in last night from Hauhaus; left Te Kooti the day of first fight ; they have seen men from his camp since. He has no food but fern root; little powder, makes bullets of shot cast in a thimble. Intends coming down to drive off sheep from Waikohu, a branch of the main valley, eight miles above Waraengahaha. He will afterwards attack the redoubt at the port, A part of the Ngatiporou detained until reliable information. Scouts have been started under Newland and Gascoigne to see if Te Koote is still in position, and look atWaikohu. There were rumors last night that the enemy were still in position. A party has been sent to reconnoitre under Newland.

Dec. 14.—An old man came in and told us that Te Kooti was about to make two attacks, one for plunder, and one for taking Wilson’s redoubt. Mounted men were sent up towax-ds Kooti’s old position yestex--day morning. About 11 a.m. a heavy fixing across the bay at Oweta, where Ihaka Whangu’s men are living. Major Roberts’ party returned with a message that all was quiet and clear up Putatahi valley. They were at oxxce despatched per Sturt to Big River to land and support Ihaka. • A party of 100 strong, diverging from the common track dowxx Patuhahai valley, reached the Big River and Auni’s bush, and entrance Arai valley. Ihaka drove them back They made off for the Patuhahi valley. Colonel Whitmore moved xxp, but the enemy, by going off the regular track, nearly escaped. Colonel Whitmox-e saw and pursued tlxem up the valley to the old position. Rowland's mounted men, 14 in number, met the enemy, but were not strong enough to engage. Sergeant Reed, a half-caste in Frazer’s division has been killed. The enemy lost a man or two, and left prisoner's behind. J. C. Richmond.

Dec. 18.—Mi’S. Wilson died yesterday morning. A party of friendly xxatives from Waii’oa penetrated to Opotiki and took 28 prisoners from a* neuti’al hapu, but who were in reality spies The intelligence from Tologa, noi’th of Poverty Bay, is that the natives are much frightened, and sleep in their canoes. A meeting has been held at Porangahau, in the soxxth of the pro vince, at which the settlers expressed much alax-m, and ask that block-houses should be expected. The Stafford Ministry has virtually set Mr. M‘Lean aside, and a universal feeling of disgust and apprehension in consequence prevail. The following telegram has been furnished us by Colonel Haxxltain : —A party of friendly natives sent out by Major Lambert from Wairoa, on the 14th inst., took as prisoners from the enemy, eight men, twelve women, and eight children, also twelve canoes. Rewiti Hamita and Paori te Nahihi, chiefs of the Taxxruionai’oangi, are among the prisoners. Dec. 21.—150 of Karaatiana’s people wex-e shipped on Saturday for Wairoa. M‘Lean, Tareha, Renata, and 200 men went off to-day by the s.s. Storm Bird. A party will immediately leave Clyde for Te Kooti’s stronghold at Puketapu. It is supposed that a simultaneous movement will be made from Poverty Bay. This is a well-designed plan if it is not muddled by the authorities. Tuke is to take the place of Lambert at Wairoa. This is a step in the right direction. Whitmore is at Putatahi, cutting a bush road, and ready for action.— lndependent.