THE NATIVE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 1069, 7 December 1868, Page 3

THE NATIVE WAR.

The following northern, intelligence is taken from the Otago papers : — Wellington, Nov. $0, 11.26 a.m. The Ladybird proceeded to Wanganui on Friday night, for the purpose of conveying a force of 350 Armed Constabulary, under Whitmore, to Poverty Bay. The position of the enemy it is thought, invites a ci ushing blow. The Government expect that in a very few days Te Kooti's forces will be swept away, when Whitinore and his force will return to the "West Coast. The forces on the Bast Coast have been so arranged as to secure to the various posts the means of constant com munication . Block houses are being erected so as j to entirely cover the town. "When Whitmore returns he will be prepared to take the field against Tito Kowaru. 1.52 p.m. The telegram in the 'Evening Post,' from Napier, noon to-day, states — I The Ahuriri left yesterday, taking j sixteen, volunteers. She returned this [ morning. The Armstrong gun has been taken twelve miles inland. The force was in good spirits. The Ahuriri leaves again to-night, with Captain Tanner and sixty cavalry to serve as escorts. The Europeans have found the bodies of two rebels who must have been killed during the attack on the Escort party. The Wairoa reinforcements take position to-day. A favorable result is confidently anticipated. 3.37 p.m. I learn on good authority that a proclamation will be immediately issued placing all the Volunteers in the North Island on active service. 7.30 p.m. The Government have resolved to finish the Native disturbance on the East Coast at once, if possible, on account of the favorable position held by our force under Westrupp. In consequence, the forces at Wanganui are to remain on the defensive, and Whitmore and three hundred and fifty armed constables will proceed at once positively from Wanganui in the Ladybird. The G-overnment think the position of the enemy at Poverty Bay affords an opportunity of striking a crushing blow and to annihilate Te Kooti's force. Whitmore is soon to return and assume the offensive again on the West Coast. Whitmore, before leaving, endeavored to make provision for the defence of Wanganui, but it is thought the provision made was insufficient. The Eob Eoy brought fifty-two men for the Armed Constabulary force, who will be sent immediately to Poverty Bay. The general feeling here is against moving the troops to Poverty Bay, and thus leaving the West Coast defenceless. The settlers at Manawatu are getting alarmed at the prospect of a Native advance, now the troops are withdrawn, and they are leaving for Wellington and Wanganui, Cornrupp, the Danish pedlar, died yesterday from the wound he received. The murderer is remanded for eight days. A proclamation will be immediately issued by the Government, placing all Volunteer Corps in the North Island on actual service. Napiee, 7.30 p.m. On the 2Sth the Ahuriri returned from Poverty Bay. Only twenty Natives and three" Europeans started to the Front with ammunition. More could not be spared. Ten miles from Poverty Bay they were attacked by thirty Maories, who captured the eight kegs. Communication was cut off for want of force. At general parade fifty Volunteers for Poverty Bay. were a iked. Captain Tanner, of the Mounted Volunteers, responded at once. He offered fifty men in twenty-four hours. His offer was accepted. The Volunteers by the Eob Eoy are anxiously looked for. On Thursday 370 Tuparoa and Wairoa Natives started in excellent spirits to take the enemy in rear. To-day communication with, the allies is open. The enemy is determined to make a stand. Mrs Wilson is improving. At 6 p.m. the Ahuriri sailed with 60 of Captain Tanner's troop for Poverty Bay. Wellington, j December Ist, 2.39 p.m. | The public meeting which was called for to-day, to consider the unhappy condition of Native affairs, was adjourned until Thursday evening, in consequence of the Supreme Court being in sitting, and many people being engaged there, i who otherwise deired to attend the meeting. Mr Eichmond left for Napier to-day in the Eob Eoy, which also carried fifty-five armed constables, who arrived from Christchnrch. The Governor will not leave Wellington at present, owing to the disturbed state of Native affairs. The Supreme Court sitting commenced to-day. Judge Johnston read a long charge to the grand jury, bearing upon the distressed state of the Province, and the probable impending calamitous events.

; 7.45 p.m. The Wanganui coach brings news of an engagement between our cavalry numbering sixty-six men, and the Hauhaus on Sunday. Captain Newland in command marched to "Wairoa before daylight. He remained six hours and returned at 11 a.m. He reached Nuhumaru 'and remained in concealment. After some time he perceived a large number of Hauhaus near Handley's He ordered a few men to advance dismounted whilst he followod with remainder mounted. Unfortunately a carbine went

off accidentally, which gave the alarm and marred the success of the attack. A charge was made as soon £s the dismounted men mounted, and eight Ha'uhaus were killed. Sergeant Maxwell sabred two and shot one. The enemy, however, turned out and followed our force for three miles, keeping up a sharp fire. The Hauhaus are encamped in great force at the rear of Nuhumaru. They have six bell tents erected. Colonel Whitmore has written a long letter to the f Wanganui Times ' with regard to an article, which appeared some time back in that journal, accusing Haultain of preventing the secret expedition of Friendlies against the Hauhaua. 8 p.m. Two spies have come to "Whitmore's eainp* They reported that Tito Elowaru's whole force is at Papatupu, and that the rebel has ; received no news from the j Maori King. They state also that Tito has no intention of attacking Patea. Whitmore, who furnishes the above information to the ' "Wanganui Times,' says the Hauhaus number eight hundred fighting men, besides a number of nominal neutrals. Recruiting is going on at Taranaki. The Governor's reply to the Wanganui people's memorial is published. It is signed by Stafford, and says that no step was ever taken by the Defence Minister without the concurrence of his colleagues, — that Government have done and are doing all in their power to supply defences to Wanganui district. It adds that Wanganui is not the only threatened district, and that a great deal depends upon the action of the settlers themselves. Captain Noakos, the newly appointed commanding officer at Wanganui, has written a long letter to the ' Times,' stating what his intentions are with regard to the defence of .the town and other matters. Officials at the front appear to rush readily into print.