NEWS FROM THE FRONT. DEFEAT OF TITO KOWARAU. THE REBELS BREAKING- UP.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 58, 20 March 1869, Page 3

NEWS FROM THE FRONT. DEFEAT OF TITO KOWARAU. THE REBELS BREAKING- UP.

TE KOOTI REPULSED

EfiESH MUBDEES.

On the 12th inst., Colonel "Whitmore commenced a forward movement ; and on the 13th inst., when a dense fog prevented objects twenty yards distant being seen, they debouched before the Hau-hau village of Otanto. Lieut.Colonel Jones, who advanced with a heavy force along the left bank of the Piitca river, arrived in the rear of the rebel stronghold about the same time, without being discovered. The position was on a rising ground, and commanded all the open country round. The order to advance having been given, the right column pushed forward ; but, unfortunately, some of the troops, in their excitement, fired at the Maori sentinel, and thus gave Tito Kowarau timely notice of his dangerous position. The left column also advanced, but owing to the fog, and their inability to reply to the attack of the Hau-haus, they were held in check for some little time, and suffered severe losses. The right column pushed on to what afterwards proved to be within a few yards of the camp, but were compelled to lie down and await the clearing of the mist. When this happened, Major Kemp, who commanded on the right, entered the camp, driving the insurgents before him. Another attacking party, after some smart fighting, entered on the left, and the enemy were finally driven out. They retreated in great disorder, and were fired upon by Colonel Jones' column, but owing to their superior knowledge of the country, succeeded in evading pursuit. Eight dead fell into the hands of the victors, and two women were captured. The following are the casualties among the English : — Fatally wounded: Corporal Grundry (since dead). Severely wounded, 8 ; slightly ditto, 6. All Tito Kowarau's provisions, tents, ammunition, clothing, many arms, tools, saddles, &c, fell into the hands of the victors, thereby effectually clipping the wings of this archtraitor. During three hours' severe (?) fighting, all the colonial forces are said to have behaved most gallantly, as, ih- | deed, may be seen from their splendid achievement — the capture of two old | women. Of course, all the arrangements were perfect, if the Hau-haus had only been fools enough to suffer salt to be put on their tails. The account we have given is principally taken from Colonel Whitmore's not very lucid despatch ; and we only trust that the captured baggage may not prove — like" many other captures — to be cased in buckram. On the east coast, the often-slain Te Kooti has again- begun to make his presence unpleasantly felt. On the 9th, he attacked the pah at Ruaparoa, but was repulsed with the loss of 45 men, the garrison only losing 12. At the same time he attacked the house of a Frenchman named Gruerin; and although the inmates fought gallantly for their lives, they were ultimately overpowered and all butchered with the exception of one. He subsequently burned the village of Whakatane, including the Catholic Mission, but whether the residents had escaped or not is not stated. Several other murders are rumoured, and the news from the Waikato is threatening. The King is, however, believed to be favoui*able to peace ; but as the meaning of his proclamation is veiled in figurative language, there is no certainty of his intentions.

A Blenheim telegram, dated the 4th instant, say 3 :—"ln: — "In consequence ef the heavy rains, work was prevented at Mountain Creek until Monday last. Some have returned, having merely obtained the colour. There is very little gold. Thirty uriners frqm the West Coast express a bad opinion, Prospecting is going on in the ranges pyer the Wairau Valley. A general exodus is expeoted to-day."