LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 286, 3 December 1868, Page 2

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

The arrival of the Murray yesterday evening places us in possession of the latest information both from Napier and Wanganui. THE EAST COAST. The Ladybird was despatched from Wellington ou Friday evening with Colonel Whitniore and 350 Armed Constabulary under his command to Poverty Bay, where the position of the enemy iu that neighborhood is thought by the Government to afford an opportunity of striking a decisive blow, and thus by effectually crushing the rebellion on theEastCoast, leave the troops free to resume their operations against Tito Kowaru. The policy of this step is much questioned, it being feared that Col. Whitmore, on his arrival at.Poverty Bay, may find himself involved in complications which will preclude the possibility of his return for an indefinite period. A Napier telegram of the 30th ultimo states that despatches have been received, stating that the enemy were engaged on the 25th. Our loss was four killed and 12 wounded. The enemy are said to be in position about 35 miles from Turanganiii, encumbered with horses, sheep, women and children. Wairoa expedition, nearly 300 stronS, are expected to be at Reinga, and it is confidently anticipated that the position will prove one of the greatest importance for our troops. It is reported on good authority that it is doubtful whether To Kooti was killed in the recent engagement- A chief from Taupo reports all quiet at Waikato, waiting the result of the operations on the East Coast. He gives the number of the enemy at Poverty Bay as 700; uncertain as to the numbers .that may join from other .tribes. 200 of Eewi's people he knows of as ready to join the\ ex-prisoners. Party of Otaki Natives overland from: Waikato report the

pang parfcy as quiets -An Armstrong gun has been taken 12 miles inland: the Wairoa reinforcement was to take position on the 30th and the result was anticipated with confidence. THE WEST COAST. Captain Noakes, originally of the Defence Force in Wellington, has been promoted to a majorityy and succeeds Colonel Qbrton ap Wanganui. The Wauganui Times has published, and the Wellington Independent has copied, a circumstantial account of a wellorganised secret expedition of 300 Maoris, under well-known friendly; West Coast chiefs, being about to start to attack Tito Kowaru in his stronghold ; and that when there was every probability of his force being rooted but and, destroyed, Colonel Haultain interfered at the last moment and prevented the expedition from starting. The statement is flatly denied by the Advertiser, the Government orgau. A meeting was held at the Freeraasous' Hall, Wanganui, on Saturday evening last, to consider th« advisability of forming one or more parties of volunteers to act as a guerilla force against the enemy and for the protection of the ontlying districts. Colonel Haultain agreed to all the suggestions that had been made as to the terms upon which the men would take service. The Bushranging Volunteers will be enrolled for three months only, and will receive, in addition to regular militia pay, Is per diem extra while serving. Each man will be armed with a breechloader and revolver. A premium will be given by the Government of £5 for every man or lad belonging to the enemy brought in alive by the B. V., whether such prisoner be wounded or not. A special reward of £1000 is offered for the person of Tito Kowana. The corps may be divided into parties oi not less than 20 men each, and one officer and the usual proportion of noncommissioned officers will be allowed for every such party. Byjthe regulations Volunteers or their families ore entitled to the benefits of the Military Pensions Act. The Defence Minister has. also agreed to pay the undermentioned sums for arms captured from the rebels: — For a Government, rifle or breechloader, £1, for doublebarrel gun or revolver in serviceable con^dition, 10s, for single-barrel gun in good condition, ss. ■ The Wanganui Chronicle of the 28th ult. says that a military movement, in a forward direction, which may take some time to fully develope, is about to be made at the Front, where the weather is very disagreeable just now, rain pouring, wind blowing, tents flapping. The native population from Te jNgutu-o-te-manu to Waitotara does not amount to 400 fighting men. A portion of these have not joined the rebeis, and so far as we can learn, there have been few accessions from other places. The likelihood is that the enemy in the field does not exceed 300 men, if so many. Letters have been received by the Resident Magistate at Wanganui and others, addressed to Mete Kingi and other chiefs, intimating that the King has signified his wish that there should be a general rising of the Hauhaus all over the island.