45 REBELS KILLED.

Southland Times, Issue 1126, 19 March 1869, Page 3

45 REBELS KILLED.

• - ■ FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Wellington, March 17. 5.45 p.m. A telegram to the 'Evening Post' contains most important information. It is dated Whakatane, March 9th. From it we learn thatTe Kooti, with one hundred men, attacked Kohaias pa. As they carried a white flag they were mistaken for Arawas. They (Te Kooti's party) advanced to within 30 yards of the pa before they were discovered. Two of the Friendly Natives, who were outside tho pa, welcoming them, were ■hot dead. When it was known that the advancing party were enemies they were fired upon, when twelve were killed in the first volley. They (the enemy) were afterwards driven from the pa with the loss of seven more. They retired behind a whare from which they began to sap. They reached the pa after three days work and succeeded in destroying part of the pallisading. After a parley the pa was surrendered. Te Kooti then retired across the river and attacked a small pa on the other side, occupied by a Frenchman and a few natives. The Frenchman killed one native, wounded another, and escaped to Marketu. One hundred men were immediately marched from thence to the assistance of the pa threatened by Te Kooti, taking with them a supply of arms and ammunition. Major Mair also started for Whakatane with 200 men. He encamped within two miles of Te Kooti's position. Whether he attacked Te Kooti or not is not yet known. Latest news is that Whakatane settlement has been entirely destroyed. The number of Hau-haus reported killed is 45. Mr Pitcairn's death is confirmed. He is supposed to have been betrayed by the natives. The whole district is now in a state of the utmost alarm.