CAPT. RICHARDSON DRIVEN BACK UPON WAIROA.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 325, 15 August 1868, Page 6

CAPT. RICHARDSON DRIVEN BACK UPON WAIROA.

{From the Bay liquid, AtlffUSt I.j Yesterday alternoou an express messenger arrived in town, conveying the news that Richardson had mot the exprisoners at To Reinga, and after three hours' fighting, was repulsed, and compelled to fall back upon VVairda. Richardson's force is understood to have numbered 25 Europeans andoO Maories The bulk of the latter were never in action, and, after three hours' sharp fighting, "Richardson found himself left with 1G Europeans and four natives, tho rest having skedaddled. One nativewas killed, anl two of t'.;e oiiemy were seen to fall. He first encountered the advanced guard of the llauhaus, and then the main body. Ho believes them to bo 200 strong, all armed with rifles and able to use them. The messenger was despatched on Wednesday last ; nothing seems to have been known of the movements of the enemy in the intervening period ; although of course rumors were rife. The weather was dreadful, the country quite impassable ; but the general opinion was that the ex-prisoners would cross over into the TJriwera country, to secure their plunder—whatever their subsequent course might be. Capt, Richardson was to start on Thursday, with the view, if possible, of effecting a junction with Colonel Whitmore.