LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

West Coast Times, Issue 364, 22 November 1866, Page 3

LATEST FROM THE FRONT.

We have later Wanganui papers to the 10th inst. The " Times," of the J 9th instant, says :—: — Lieut .^Gudgeon's excursions into the bush, during which one man, Hercules Economedas, was shot dead, have led to the discovery of a strong rebel pa, in which most of the rebels are said to have taken up a defiant attitude. When our informant left, the whole of the Colonial Force had surrounded that ' stronghold, and were actively engaged in reducing it, under the immediate directions of his Excellency the Governor. Our corespondent being amongst the combatants we wish him a happy deliverance and a ready pen to give an account of the conflict. It is encouraging to find Sir George Grey so fully determined to crush rebellion in the Patea districts. Major M'Donnell's old wound has broken out afresh, and quite disabled him. It is doubtful whether the ball is not still in his foot. He headed his men the other night with three worsted socks but no boot on the disabled foot, and next day was again laid up. The " Chronicle," of the 10th inst., adds : — The p.s. Waipara came in from Patea yesterday afternoon, having Captain M'Donnell on board. This officer although suffering severely from his wound, is yet, we are glad to say, in a fair way of recovery. He looks pale and worn, but keeps up his spirits, and chatted with his friends who went to see him and have him helped ashore. The report brought from the front is that the rebels have entirely disappeared. Not one is to be met with. The Governor is proposing to march on to Taranaki by the inland route. The rumor is, that the Hau Haus are gathering at the head of the Wanganui river, with the view of making an attack at Whife Cliffs. But this can be no more than rumor, and must be treated as such. •Captain Leatham's troop, to whose differences with the Defence Office we alluded in our last, is about to be broken up. These perpetually recurring differences and misunderstandings in this branch of our service are beyond ordinary comprehension.