THE WAR ON THE EAST COAST.

Southland Times, Issue 1186, 2 July 1869, Page 2

THE WAR ON THE EAST COAST.

TAUPO. The ' Hawkes' Bay Herald' of 15th June, contains the following t— • An abstract of Colonel St. John's journal was received od Friday, from which the following is extracted with reference to the sad affair at Opepe. The despatch is dated Tapuehararu, on the Lake, Bth June : — Colonel Sfc John left Port Galatea on the 4th, with native guide and 17 troopers, intending to go by Arawhatu. The guide went by a roundabout road, avoiding Arawhatu, and gave the party a 60 miles' ride before reaching Opepe. Met Captain St. George there, and spent a day looking for water and examining site for a post. Then proceeded to Waipuhi and Waitahanui, both on the Lake, and then to Tap'aeharara, to examine those positions with the same object. On the Bth, received, at Tapuehararu, intelligence of the surprise of that part of the escort which he had left at Opepe. A letter was received from Mr. Birch, Patea, On Sunday night, dated the 12th. The Patea natives informed him that theJEakawafriondlies lmd_ jsent worcl to I sayxhattwo women belonging to Kooti's gang had been spoken to, and they reported that Kooti, with a large party of men, women, and children, was at Tauranga, on Lake Taupo ; that he had killed an old native and burnt some whares there; that he had killed the scouts at Opepe in passing through ; and was going to join the Hau Hans on the west side of the Lake. Hori Tauteka, of Pokawa, with the greater part of his people, had retired from Pokawa, leaving Hirini and a few men to watch Kooti's movements. Te Heuheu had gone off to inform the Arawas of Kooti's whereabouts. No despatches up to a late hour last night were received from Col. St John, but a letter from Paul Hapi arrived on Sunday at Haroto, and was telegraphed yesterday forenoon, the river, which is very high, having been forded by one of Paul's natives, who is now at Pohui as part of the transport corps. Th« translation of the letter is as follows : — " Eunanga, 11th June, 1869. " To Mr Locke and the of the Government. " Friends, greeting you. This is the news from this place which I send you : — The pakehas have been killed, nine in number — killed at Opepe. The ninth and his comrades were killed and cut to Dieces. The place is now occupied. (They are) at Tauranga (on the bank of the Taupo, about 25 miles from its outlet.) Will stay there about three weeks. They are three hundred in strength. The road by which they came from the Urewera — they came by Herewiwi, Eangitaika, Pakuha, Rotoakui, Putahi, and from thence to Opepe ; then spread out among the potato grounds at Taungatara, a bush close to Opepe kainga. None of the Hau Haus were killed by the pakehas. Prom thence they went to Taupo, Botongaio, Te Hatepe, which they burned with fire ; and to Motutere, which they also burned with fire ; and from thence to Tauranga, the Hau Hau settlement. They there detained my son (prisoner), and bound (made prisoner) Hori te Tauri. This is all I have to say respecting the advance of Te Kooti and his party. Friends, be on your guard. "It was not that Kooti was welcomed by the people here that he came here. No. It was his own determination ; since it was an old declaration of his that he would visit Tauranga, Mohaka, and "Wairoa, and also by this place to Taupo. It is do, he (Te Kooti) has come here. That is all. " That is my word to you : it rests with yon. All I can do at present is to wait for you ; but with you rests the direction of affairs— if to pursue Te Kooti it will be good. Make haste, that is aIL We are still at Eunanga, staying and waiting the word from you — the Government ordering us to go in order that we may know what footing we are on, and what money we are to get. " From your affectionate friend, " Paopa Hapi."

A party of Karaifciana's natives are to proceed this day to Haroto to reinforce the post there. They were to have gone on Saturday, but the state of the weather prevented their coming into Pakowhai from the outlying settlements till yesterday; Later news will probably arrive this forenoon. A party of armed constabulary is now there with the workmen 1 to erect the stockade. Keinforceaients for this post will arrive per Sturt from Wellington, and an officer will be sent up to take command.