THE EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF TE KOOTI.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 35, 23 September 1871, Page 3

THE EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF TE KOOTI.

HIS LAST NARROW ESCAPE. The following telegram, addressed to J. D. Ormond, Esq., and received on Friday from Maketu, has been forwarded to us for publication. It represents the contents of two letters forwarded by Captain Porter to Mr Ormond, and containing a description of the last incident in the close, and all but successful pursuit of Te Kooti: — From Opokere, Maungapohatu, Dated September sth, 1871.

Sir,—lt is with extreme regret I have to report Te Kooti having once more narrowly escaped capture or death. I last reported having discovered Te Kooti’s trail at Pa Puni, on the 24th ultimo. From that date, despite innumerable difficulties from continued wet weather, and Te Kooti adopting every stratagem to disguise his trail, by alternately scattering through bush, passing through water, and so forth, after a most circuitous route through the dense forest ranges to the north-west of Maungapohatu, we succeeded in coming upon him in a clearing of the Urewera, at Tauranga,'between Maungapohatu and Tawhana, on the 3rd ultimo. I selected sixty men, and advanced close to Te Kooti’s camp, and slept under arms all night. At 4 a.m. on the Ist September I proceeded to surround the place, by extending from both flanks. By daybreak I assured myself of Te Kooti’s whare, seeing his halfcast wife, Olivia, going in and out in the preparation of food. I instructed men to keep an eye upon the whare, and should Te Kooti attempt to escape to fire a volley at him. It was mv intention to completely surround the place, and to send a man forward to call upon all to surrender quietly. I had sent Ruka te Aratapu towards the right flank for that purpose, when greatly to my annoyance matters were precipitated by the over-eagerness of those on the left flank, who prematurely opened fire and charged upon the whares. The Hauhaus at once took the alarm, and fled in tlie direction of Te Kooti’s whare. A general rush followed, and all was at once confusion, many of the^ Hauhaus escaping through us in a staff-bf nudity. Te Kooti was the first to rush away, with only a blanket in his left hand. No shots could be effectually fired without endangering our own men. Our best men were at once in pursuit of the fugitives, but without avail, the pursued being thorougly practised in woodcraft, and running for their lives in a state of nudity. The loss on the part of the enemy is five killed, nine prisoners, three carbines, two rifles, and a small quantity of ammunition; a number of tomahawks, and every article belonging to them. Among the killed is Wi Wehikore, a notorious murderer; among the prisoners are Te Kooti’s two favorite wives, Olivia and Nia-te-whiu, and another had gone to Maungapohatu the day previous to the attack. Anaru Mateti and nine others separated from Te Kooti at Pa Puni, and went in direction of Waimaha ; the Ureweras of the Kaingas in this vicinity have abandoned their home and gone to Taaaki. I sent to communicate with the chiefs of that pa, and was visited this morning by Te Awamutu and Ihaka Wheareapu, who inform me that thirteen of Te Kooti’s followers have taken refuge with them. lam in treaty for their surrender. Te Kooti is now a fugitive with only six men and four women, without a weapon of any kind among them. I have parties out in search of traces of Te Kooti, and have requested the Urewera to show their sincerity by assisting us in the search. This defeat of Te Kooti appears to have a very salutary effect upon Ngatihuri, who are very humble. Te Whiri is at Ti Kakari, and promises not to rejoin Te Kooti. I have sent to request him to assist in the capture of the latter, that the Government may deal leniently with him. I have omitted to mention the zeal displayed by Ruka Te Aratapu and Mr John Large throughout the expedition. —I have, &c-, T. W. Porter, Captain.

Opokere, Bth 'Sept., 1871. Sir, —My messenger was not able to leave with my despatch of the 5 th till to-day, as we have been snowed up for some days. Te Whemianui andPairau arrived yesterday, via Ruatahuna. X was visited by them and otherchiefs—•

Renata Heterika, Te Awamutu, Ihaka Whereapu. They all spoke well. 1 replied firmly, but considerately. The long-wavering Ngatihau may now be relied upon ; they have gone so far as to give ten men to help in the search for Te Kooti. The fugitives from Te Kooti are to be surrendered to me; Tuatini is among them. Te Whiri has bolted again on account of Renata and Pairau, wishing him to be killed The eight-shooter gun of Te Kooti’s was taken from Te Whiri.

If you have any letter for Whemianui or Pairau they will remain. I would suggest some instructions to them relative to Urewera from Te Kooti’s band. I have parties out in search of Te Kooti’s trail, but cannot do much owing to the snow. We are living solely on potatoes. It would be as well, should you think proper to do so, to send a line to Renata. My messenger will remain at Opotiki to bring any letter you may have with any information of Ropata’s movements. Paori Kingi goes out to Opotiki, and will write to you on his arrival. —I have, &c., T, W. Porter, Captain.