THE NATIVE WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1017, 22 April 1869, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR

LATEST FROM THE EAST COAST. Napier, April 15, 3.10 p.m. Colonel Lambert writes yesterday from Mohaka, that the enemy moved off on Monday afternoon, up the Mohaka valley. Te Kooti’s scouts were seen the day before up tlie valley. The exact number of the enemy cannot be arrived at, but the force is supposed to be about 150, besides women and children. Natives assert Te Kooti is dead ; shot by Heta, the man who would not give up his rifle. There is a story about the Hauliau’s taking a body out to sea for burial, and firing a volley. There is no clear account of what ammunition they got, but it is not believed that they got move than tw'o kegs and a half. Some was buried. Twelve Hauhau bodies have been seen. The attack on the large pa must have been feeble, as the pa is large, and there were not above thirteen or fourteen men in all the place. 16th, 9 a.m. The report of Te Kooti being shot is still believed. The bodies of Ensign Lavin and his wife, Cooper, and thirty-one friendlies have been found up the Mohaka valley. The bodies of Lavin and his wife were found in the scrub ; his arm was about her. They appeared !o have died from gunshot wounds received in flight. Lavin had his revolver by his side, and his wife had money, watch, and beads in her pocket. The children had six bayonet wounds.

LATEST FROM WAIKATO. A telegram from Ngaruawahia was received by a gentleman in Auckland on Tuesday, to'tlie following effect : that large numbers of Maoris were passing through Ngaruawahia on their way to the great meeting shortly to be held in the King district, and that they have purchased many articles at stores, as presents and peace offerings to the King - . Emissaries of the king, have been visiting the friendly natives, with the view of inducing them to be present at the great meetm°the king district. Te Wheoro with fifty followers has started for the king country. TARANAKI. By the arrival of the s.s. Storm Bird, we have files to the 17th inst : Towards the end of the week before last the authorities having been informed that TitoKowaru, his women, and baggage were at Pakipaki, —a place on the south bank of the Waitara river, and about 2 days march from Tikorangi—organised a secret expedition to go out and attack him. _ Preparations were made on Monday with greatest secrecy, and although the uninitiated might not have noticed anything particular going on, those whose business it is to watch for news, could not help observing that little private committees were being held by three or four gentlemen who constitute the authorities. 0 On Monday night, caris were heard passing along Devou-street till a late hour, reminding those who had been there during the past war of old times, and these were vehicles conveying rations and stores, together with stretchers, &c,, necessary for an° expedition where an engagement was expected. On Tuesday morning, at about 6 a.m., a force, consisting of 100 natives under Te Thaia, and 50 bushrangers, under Captain W. Messenger—the whole commanded by Major Brown —were preparing to start for Ngatimaru, where it was supposed TitoKowaru was ; through some misunderstanding arising between the bushrangers and those in command, (the particulars of which we have not been acquainted with) the expedition was postponed. The affair with the men having been set right, we supppse, the expedition was re-organised, and was to have proceeded at 6 o’clock on Thursday morning but some hitch occurred and the force never went. Mean while Tito-Ivo warn is gathering strength and approaching the settlement.