THE NATIVE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 1077, 21 December 1868, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR.

LATEST FROM. THE NORTH. The following telegraphic despatches appear in the ' New Zealand Sun,' : — Wellington, December 14th. Colonel Whittnore telegraphs that the expedition is completely broken up, and that the Natives are returning home for the present. He says that the "immediate followers " of Mr M'Lean amoug the Ngatikahanguua are sulky, but that the Ngatiporou are in good spirits, and willing to do all that is required of them, either now or hereafter. They would pursue the enemy, who has disappeared in the direction of Mainga Powatu, if they could be supplied with food, which is impossible under existing arrangemeuts. Mr Richmond sends the following, which, though puttiug the best face on matters, is not very encouraging, and i? a proof of the grave mistake made in withdrawing the force from Wanganui: — " Turanga, December 11th — 1 am quite clear that we must conceutrate and strike oa the West Coast first. After making observations here, I see that converging operations to be successful require long preparation. 1 will leave this district in a condition of defence, and iet Colonel Whitmore tnke off all but 40 men. Dr Pollen should send every man he can spare to Wanganui without delay. It will be time enough in four or five months to strike at these eastern Hauhaus, if we meet with success against Tito ELowaru. I am trying to get the land question settled, and to reassemble the old defence force to hold a post. 1 propose to establish also a Ngatikahunguuagu and a Ngatiporou post on each side of that occupied by the Europeans. The Jiawke's iiay uieu ( Tareha's lot) are obstructive, but they leave to-day, when I hope the land difficulties will end. The local natives are very tractable by themselves. I hope' to come south with Colonel W"hitinore's men, at all events I shall not linger to go north. — J. C. liicLunoad. — To Colonel Haul tain." A rumour was circulated on Saturday of a dissolution ot' the Assembly bein^ iminiuent. This has to-day swelled into the report that a difference has taken place between the Grovernor and the Miuistry, ending in the resignation of the latter. The Grovernor is certainly desirous of sending for troops from -Australia, and Mr Stafford had a long i;s --rview with him yesterday. The rununs.d, however, are generally regarded " i canards. They have excited consider;*; v; interest, from the fact of Mr Haughtou having publicly stated something about a dissolution, which was at first thought to be confirmatory. Wellington, December 15th. A telegram received from Mr Kichmond reports that 100 Hauhaus were at Big River, a few miles from Turanganui.

They were pursued by Colonel Whifctnore, and in the skirmish whidh took place, Sergeant Reed was killed. The enemy also lost one or two. This shows the danger to be greater than was anticipated in Mr Richmond's telegram of yesterday. He does not mention any more murders having been committed. The Charybjdis has arrived here from WaDganu^i'CaptfLia^Lyons states that there is -ii§''new^\ from the Eront, Tito Kowaru baying made •-,. no sign lately. Captain'*, Lyons, says. '••that he visited the Front, and -considers the alarm with reference to" W/anganui to be somewhat exaggerated. At all events, the danger to the town is not immediate. [The followng private telegram from Wellington has been handed to us • for publication : — ] A letter (panui) from King Tawhiahimself ha 3 been received by the Haubau i natives at Rangitikei, Otaki, and other places. It is to the same effect as the | one received in January last, viz., that 1 the sword is to be sheathed, &c. A messenger has also brought a verbal message to them, telliug them to remain quiet. The Princess Sophia sent a letter by the same messenger, saying, " This is the year for all Maories to sleep." Mr M'Lean reports that the total number of the enemy killed up to date on the East Coast, exceeds 100. Captain Tanner reports that 60 rifles and large quantities of ammunition were taken from Te Kooti. He adds that the enemy is badly off for food, and in great distress. Naples, Dec. 15. Verbal news was received, yesterday that a fresh raid had been made by Te Kopti, but it is scarcely believed. The Sturt has arrived here from Turanganui with Mrs "Wilson on board. A number ot the Constabulary had been put on board the Sturt for conveyance to Wanganui, when firing was heard. It turned out that a raid had been made by 100 mounted Hauhaus, *vho had exchanged shots with the natives under Ihaka. Te Kooti had previously threatened to attack the redoubt, but was treated with ridicule. Colonel Whitmore followed, but did not succeed in overtaking the enemy, who was met by a small mounted party of our troops. Shots were exchanged, and a sergeaut of Constabulary and two or three of the enemy killed. The men were again landed from the Sturt, which came here for ammunition. She left again this morning with 50 kegs. It is feared that the war is yet far from, being ended. Several of the settlers who have been missing, prove to have been out shearing. Latest dates from Auckland are to the 12th. All was still quiet in the Waikato.