OPOTIKI.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 243, 18 April 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

OPOTIKI.

RETURN OF COLONEL LYONS. — PACI-

FICATION OF NATIVE AFFAIRS,

The Northern papers contain the following items of news :— /

Colonial Lyons, the skilful commander of the colonial forces stationed on the East. Coast, returned to town yesterday, in the Colonial Government p.s. Sturt, after an absence of some months on active service. We hear with some satisfaction in routing the natives along the East Coast, and that, after making a decided stand against rebel intrusions, he has been triumphant, and left the place with perfect confidence in the future prevalence of peace in the neighborhood. After several skirmishing excursions, in which the natives were generally surprised and punished, Colonel Lyons and the force under his command have succeeded in driving them entirely out of the neighborhood, affcer making their stay more uncomfortable day by day. The war on the East Coast may therefore be. considered virtually at an end. The latest news was that information ofthe capture of Kereopa was expected almost daily. Since writing the above we have been informed that Colonel Lyons returns today to Opotiki by' the ' Sturt.' At the time of his leaving Opotiks, the rebel natives were dispersing, but the rebel chief Kereopa was tobe delivered up to the authorities.