RUMOURED ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN TE KOOTI AND THE COLONIAL FORCES.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 23, 2 November 1871, Page 3

RUMOURED ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN TE KOOTI AND THE COLONIAL FORCES.

Reports coming from native sources were circulated in tpwn yesterday.to the effpetthat Te Kooti, whilst making his way JLdto. Waikato, had come into collision with the colonial forces at Horohoro, on the borders of the Waikato district, and that form of our men had been killed. The further stated that after this engagement Te Kooti had proceeded on his journey safely,i flnd bad- seized near Pirongia, i;nde?r fthe/ protection >of .the Ivingites. •Thelnsffc - news- of-te Koo^Pa^movements, received via Tauranga served to give a colour of veracity to the reported engagement. It was some days ago. stated that Te Kooti’s party was proceeding by Here- ' wiwi across Kaingaroa plains to the Paeroa, thence to Horohoro. Considerable anxiety was .causqd in, town yesterday by the reported loss Sustained by the colonial forces, and telegrams were at once despatched to Alexandra, as it was believed to have come from that quarter. The replies received in every instance denied that Te Kooti had reached Waikato, and stated that no news of an engagement had reached that ..settlement. Our Alexandra correspondent, in answer to a telegram sent yesterday morning, replied as follows: “ Alexandra, Tuesday, 4.25 p.m. u lt was reported yesterday that Te Kooti was near Cambridge, but the rumor has not been authenticated.” f, It is quite possible that the engagement has taken place at Horohoro without those in. the, Waikato townships being made acquainted with the fact, but no official report has been received in town, and the matter rests entirely upon native testimony, which is not always to be trusted. So far as the rumor that T® Kooti had reached Waiaato is concerned, it appears to be altogethei/uhtrue. j. It vfrouLf really be a matter for regret if he succeeded in doing so, as the long pursuit and liardships.be has undergone- have made- him appedr inrthe eyeffof-the kingites-Some-what a martyr, and his presence at Tokangamutu at the present juncture might cause serious complications; .‘lt is extremely probable that the. King will protect him if he comes to the Waikato.— Cross. '< s .;! A J !i/ /. r. 4