NATIVE NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 331, 22 August 1868, Page 7

NATIVE NEWS.

By telegraph the " Colonist" has the following: August 10th. Telegrams from Napier to the " Independent," announce that the escaped Hauhaus were being followed up by Colonel Whitmore with a force of 200 volunteers and militia, and he was about being reinforced by 100 natives of the Te Arawa tribes. A portion of the booty taken from Captain "Westrupp's force has been recovered. Colonel Whitmore has advanced pretty close to the escaped prisoners, who were prevented from getting into the mountain fastnesses of the TJriwas by reason of the snow. On the 3rd, Colonel Whitmore's force crossed Whangaroa river with four days provisions, and then divided his force into two bodies ; the Colonel with one portion following the route the prisoners had taken. Major Eraser with the other column took another course by the ordinary road with the purpose of effecting a junction with Colonel Whitmore, and succeeded in reaching-, after considerable hardship* snow a foot deep —within sight of the camp fires of the prisoners. An engagement was imtninent.

SHE ESCAPED PEISONEES EBOM THE CHATHAMS.

[Br Electric Telegraph.] Wellington, Friday, August 14. A telegram from Napier states that our force in Poverty Bay had come up with the escaped prisoners, who they found in a strong position in a gorge of the Eankaituri Biver. Our men attempted to dislodge the enemy, but failed to do so, and after some hard fighting drew off. Before daylight next morning the enemy had disappeared, having gone farther iip the gorge. Our loss was Captain Carf and Mr. Canning killedj and several wounded. The Direct Cost of Pauperismm.— The sum expended in the actual relief of the poor in England and Wales during the year 1867 wss £6,959,840, being at the rate of 6s 6|d per head on the estimated population. The sum raised from the poor-rates levied was £10,303,665 ; and there were receipts in aid amounting to £3BB,s23—making a total of £10,692j188; but of this sum £3,945,333 was expended for other purposes than the actual relief of the poor — purposes whichj in fact, have no connection whatever with the relief of the poor.