NORTHERN NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1214, 22 February 1870, Page 2

NORTHERN NEWS.

Wellington, Feb. 14. Dr Eector has found, on analysis, that the specimen of quartz from the Never Despair claim, Terawiti, contains gold at the rate of 7 ounces to the ton. The regulations regarding the issue of life assurance policies and annuities by the Government, under the Act passed last session, have been gazetted. Feb. .15. At the aijourned general meeting of the shareholders of the N.Z.S.N. Co., held to-day, various efforts were made to effect a compromise, but without success. Mr Taylor lodged a written protest against the legality of the meeting, stating it to be his intention to contest the matter at law to the last. Messrs Byrne, Allen, and Anderson, were then elected liquidators, no one else being' proposed. A serious bush fire has taken place at Carterton, Wairarapa. It extended to the township, destroying the bridge on the road, besides five houses and Mr Andersons's sawmills. None of the property destroyed was insured.

Napieb, Feb. 14. Three of the Hauhaus killed in the late engagement with Major. Mair's force were recognised as Chatham Island prisoners. One of those captured, a half-caste named Baker, and also a former prisoner at the Chatham Islands, has since died of his wounds. Feb. 15. News received from Tauranga via Tapuaeharuru states that Te Kooti has been defeated at Ohinemutu with a loss of 16 killed and 3 prisoners. Our loss was 3 wounded. Te Kooti has reached Ohiwa, whither Kemp, Topia, arid 250 Wanganuis were taken by the steamer Tauranga. They landed there, and are following Te Kooti into the Uriwera country. Colonel M'Donnell is about to enter the Uriwera country by another route, and Ropata, with the Ngatiporu, under Mr Locke's directions, also proceed from Poverty Bay into the TJriwera country. Mr Hamlin leaves this evening to take a force to Lake Waikareinoana. All four divisions converge towards the same point with the same object.

Nelson, Feb., 13. On Thursday news was received at Auckland from Tauranga that Kereopa with 60 of Te Kooti's followers had passed through the Rotorua district, the pretended friendlies going home. Major Mair found out this movement, and gave chase with a body of Arawas. After forced marches they came up with the enemy, who still retreated, occasionally charging their pursuers., A fight took place at a mountain pass between Ohinemutu and Rorapetu, a few miles from Lake Rotorua in which 10 of the enemy were killed, and 15 wounded. Kereopa is reported to be among the latter. Our forces lost three wounded — one, it is feared, mortally. The latest reports state that Colonel M'Donnell is in full pursuit of Te Kooti, who is believed to be making for the Uriwera country. On the Bth instant, 400 Arawas under Colonel Fraser, marched into Tauranga, where they held a war dance, and then marched for Rotorua and Maketu. Mr M'Lean has left for Tauranga. In a few weeks he intends to go to Ohinemuri to endeavor to arrange for the opening of that portion ■of the country. Many of the natives wish to sell their land, and Mr M'Lean will take money with him to buy from those who are willing to do so. Hopes of the speedy opening of the Ohinemuri country are entertained at Auckland.