LATEST FROM TARANAKI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 80, 7 April 1869, Page 2

LATEST FROM TARANAKI.

The TaranaM Herald thus describes Col. Whitmore's last pursuit of Tito Kowaru, by which it will he seen that, as he has so often done before, he just contrived to elude his pursuers, escaping as it were, by the skin ot his teeth: — Colonel Whitmore's forces, after driving Tito Kowaru from Otoia, had followed him closely up into the heart of the bush, aud at length ifc was thought had overtaken him at a place called Te Ngairi, a bush swamp with an island iv the centre, situated about 18 miles inland from Keteonatea. After many physical difficulties the force succeeded in bridging the swamp to the islund, where they landed on the night of the 24th or morning of the 25th March, at ahout a mile from the settlement, without losiog a man or even betraying their presence. At about daylight a move was made up to the village which appeared to be lull of people who were apparently engaged in building whafc resembled a pah. So well had the place been surprised by our forces tbat they could easily have shot; the natives there, but as they marched up some of thera ran out towards them cryiug out " haere mai," (come here), and said that they were friendly, whilst others ran away as if from fear. After some questioning the Colonel discovered thafc there were some forty natives under Ahitana, on the island, who were neutral, and that ten of Tito Kowaru's " Te hau nia rua," ( i. c., 10-12lh of his force) had been among them. A party of the Arawas immediately started in pursuit of the fugitives, but beiug igDoraut of the 1< cxlity and after having reached a point called Oraporero on the line of General Chute's march, finding they had lost the scent of the rebels, they gave up the chase and returned. Thus Tito Kowaru has again escaped our forces, after being in their power. ***** Whatever may he Colonel Whitmore's faults, the escape of Tito Kowaru in this instance, cannot be attributed to him ; for fourteen days he has persevejiugly followed the rebel's tracks, and ifc musfc have been extremely galling when he thought he had the old cannibal safe within his grasp to find that he had given him the slip. One good thing, however, this expedition has done, it has so frightened Ahitana, we hear, that he and his people have all come in and taken the oath of allegiance ; and it has shown that no stroughold can save Tito Kowaru's people, or bush screen them from our forces.