WELLINGTON.

Southland Times, Issue 1002, 12 August 1868, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FEOM OUB OWtf COBEESPOIfDENT.) "WELLCTGTOIf, August 10. NArnsa, Saturday. — Colonel Whitmore is following the escaped prisoners with two hundred men. On the 3rd imt. he was about to cross Kaongaroa River with four days provisions. The enemy was unable to get into the mountains on account of the snow. Colonel Whitmore's force is divided into two columns — one on the trail of the fugutives, the other under Major JPraser going "by the road. They encountered great hardships in snow, a foot deep, but were in sight of the enemy's camp-fires, and hoped to get hold of them before the provisions ran out. Some plunder taken from "Westrupp's camp had been recovered. One hundred Arawas are on their" way to assist Colonel "Whitmore. The number of escaped prisoners is supposed to have been exaggerated. The departure of the prisoners removed i all fear of disaffection in Poverty Bay. August 11. The Storm Bird, s.s., has just arrived from the Chatham Islands. Three of the prisoners remained on the Island when the others seized the Rifleman and escaped. These were two men, Ihaka and "Whatotara, and one woman, the wife of the former. ' " These three were averse to the rising and informed the guard of the intended surprise. The guard did not, however, take advantage of the warning, and so were surprised and overpowered. Ikaka, his wife, and Whatotara, had consequently hid themselves until the departure of their countrymen. On the fourth of July the prisoners attacked the redoubt, and secured the guard. One man was killed. They ransacked the Custom House, and took possession of £Q00: - A. portioa-of-.the .money stolen belonged to,, the, Go,vecninept ; , r .the balance being the property of a number of the set'trer^vvKo had deposited ifc' there-for safety. They also, succeeded-in" securing and carrying. off four thousand rounds of amm unition,' anil thirty stand ' of arms. The rebels firmly Handcufied Captain Thomas, the officer .in charge, and rnarchecl, him. from, the /redoubt to the P,ußfcom. i .hquse, telling hun he\vrouid ..not be hurt on condition that he showed them where the money was to be. found.