NATIVE NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 41, 17 February 1870, Page 2

NATIVE NEWS.

0 We take from the New Zealand Herald the following details of the native news which we yesterday published in a condensed form : — Tauranga, Sunday, Feb 6. Our people on the trail of Te Kooti, known by his shooting his dogs, which were found still warm by Kemp's force. Fox, a friendly chief, declares he will spare nothing belonging to the rebels that he comes across. There is little doubt but that Te Kooti is escaping to the Uriwera country should he elude the pursuit of those after him — somewhere about 1000 men. But there he will meet with but short commons, as the following letter just received will indicate : — " Whakatane, Feb. 3. " Dear Sir — The only information I have worth recording is that two women who were taken prisoners at Ahikereru by Colonel Whitmore's force, but were allowed to return to their friends, paid us a visit yesterday. * They report that the Uriweras are very short of food, their crops having been destroyed by the troops and the late flood ; fern-root and thistles being their principal diet at present. They also state that as soon as their people return they intend attacking this place in revenge for their defeat in March last. A few Hauhaus were out at the Mill yesterday pig-hunting, and as Captain Gundry could not spare any of his thirty men, the settlers called a meeting, and formed themselves into a corps, electing three officers, and immediately afterwards started for the Mill; but the Hauhaus, fortunately for themselves, had left the place."

Noon. Colonel Fraser and his men have just come in from Oropi. Soon after writing the above the troops were seen pouring in to Te Papa, when a splendid spectacle — that of welcoming — followed. Our allies are certainly fine limbed fellows, which they are now giving us every opportunity of noticing. They comprise Kemp's, Topia's, and Fox's men, numbering several hundred. The names of the tribes I need not give you. They will it is expected, march for Mateku to-morrow early, en route for Rotorua. Thence, should Te Kooti have left, they will proceed to the Uriwera in pursuit. Wednesday, Feb. 9. By the p.s. Sturt, which vessel left here last night at almost a moment's notice, *you will have learnt that a fight has taken place near Rotorua between a force under Mr. Gilbert Mair and the rebels, the latter losing ten men, our casualties being nil. This information reached me just after the departure of the Sturt. This afternoon about 200 men of Col. McDonnell's force came in by way of the Judea ford with a number of horses (loot I believe) in their possession. They had also with them no less a personage than a wife of Te Kooti, who, at the time I write, is surrounded by a host of curious gazers, pakeha and Maori. The escape of Te Kooti and his people, and the consequent influx at Te Papa of nearly all tbe troops in pursuit of him, are subjects of much remark amongst us It is certain that some one is to blame. But it behoves your correspondent to be most careful in dealing with the many rumors always afloat when everybody he meets with is (and possibly most excusably so, under the present situation of affairs) in a state of great excitement. But where upwards of a thousand men are close upon the heels of a hunted devil like Te Kooti whose very dogs were destroyed by him, for fear of giving alarm, being found scarcely cold by his pursuers — -that under these circumstances, he and his misguided followers should not only escape, but attack us even, must be accounted marvellous — most miraculous, unless gross mismanagement or worse on our part was the cause. Dilatoriness has been imputed, but I shall be better enabled to furnish you with the real facts by next mail. The natives are very hard up for food consequent on the last flood. They are living at present on kotero, a preparation of rotten potatoes, which is causing the death of a large number of children. The following is the official account of the engagement with Te Kooti, telegraphically reported on Tuesday last : — The Sturt arrived from Tauranga this afternoon, bringing intelligence that an encounter has taken place between a body of Arawas under Lieutenant Gilbert Mair, and a party of Te Kooti's followers commanded by Kereopa. Lieutenant Mair, hearing that Te Kooti was in advance, made a forced march with such of his men as were able to follow him. After marching mauy miles without any breakfast they came up with the* enemy, who continued to retreat, occasionally charging their pursuers. Lieut. Mair with only 130 Arawas, followed as long as he was able to do so. The enemy's loss is stated to be 10 killed and 15 wounded ; among the latter it is reported that Kereopa is included. Three of the Hauhaus killed were recognised as Chatham Island prisoners ; a halfcaste named Baker, also from the Chatham Islands, died of his wounds. The.loss on our side was three wounded, one, ifc is supposed, mortally.