THE WEST COAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 261, 3 November 1868, Page 2

THE WEST COAST.

Colonel Whitmore appears to have commenced his commaud with a • complete reformation of things at the Front, and his movements indicate his intention to prosecute the war with vigor and determination. From the Wanganui Chronicle of Friday last we have news from the Front up to the 29th ult. On the 21st Colonel Whitmore arrived at Wereroa from WangaDui, and at once determined on moving on the greater portion of the native force thence toPatea. He therefore marched the next dny, with 400 natives, leaving Acting Sub-Inspector M'Donnell in charge with a force of 35 Armed Constables and 50 frieudly natives, with the chiefs Te Oti Takarangi and Epiha Te Ao Kokiri. On the 23rd the force arrived at Patea about noon, and Colonel Whitmore at once with a picket took up his headquarters about a mile out of the town of Patea, just beyond the R.M.'s Courthouse. Next day the whole of the Armed Constabulary, together with Captain Spiller's company (150 men in all), were marched out to the site of the new camp, aud a chain of defensive posts at once commenced. The canteen iu town was closed and orders given to open oue in camp. On the 25th a reconnaisance of Tito Kowaru's position was made by a strong party of the force, at the old redoubt at Kakaramea. About 200 natives were seen at Otoi i, but they wouldnot. come in to the open, with the exception of about 60 men, who came out at the place where Broughton's horse was killed. They were fired upon, but did not return the fire. After 'the friendly natives had fired a volley of defiance the whole force returned to Patea.

On the 21st the whole native force moved up to-duy from Patea, and took up a position on the right flauk of the entrenched lines. The line of entrenchment which protects the bank of the river on the right to a swamp on the sea coast on the left, is now almost completed. Two Armstrong guns are in position on the left flank.

It has been found necessary to discharge the greater portion of the Taranaki and JN'elson Volunteers, as their time of service has expired, and they are unwilling to re-engage.

It has likewise been decided by the Colonel to discharge the bulk of the Wellington Rifles (who were in a state of insubordiuatioi)) after trying the ringleaders by court martial. The p.s. Sturt has taken on to Patea, from Wellington four Cohora Mortars, 700 shells and sundry other munitions of war.