LATEST NEWS FROM NAPIER.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 334, 26 August 1868, Page 2

LATEST NEWS FROM NAPIER.

The Napier correspondent of the Wellington Advertiser gives the following particulars, of the recent engagement in Poverty Bay between a party of our Colonial Forces and the escaped Chatham Island prisoners : " The Forces marched on- the 6th August, without horses, to try to overtake the enemy, and took rations for three days. The force mustered 130 strong. On Saturday, th# 3th, they overtook the enemy, who were fully equal in numbers, and were - strongly posted in difficult gorges of the Eua-ri-ture river. The men were hungry and tired, but on seeing the enemy they begged to proceed. At three o'clock they engaged . the enemy for two hours, and drove them out of their first position. Our men were obliged to draw off before sunset, as they had several wounded. The enemy broke up in haste after the action, and by daylight had retreated far up the gorge. Our forces would have attacked them again next day,- but could not for want of food. The enemy have lost heavily, as many were shot in front, at very

close quarters, when trying to charge our advanced guard. The Napier natives behaved bettor than any other Maoris who have fought for tho Government during this campaign, If the Tauranga Volunteers had been with our troops, we should have completely destroyed the enemy." The Independent of August lS,th, gives the followi :g: " Napier, August 17.

"Despatches have been received from Colonel Whitmore to-day. The battle was fought at a place nine miles from the TJriwcra boundary. There were five killed, and five wounded, one of whom has since died. The wounded reached Wairoa on Thursday. " Colonel Whitmore has gone to Poverty Bay to bring round the Waipara. "It is a bad thing that the dead were left behind. ': Rumors continue to be received at Napier of a large party of Uriweras having their rendezvous in the direction of Runanga, in the Taupo country. It is not certain if such a body of men be there, that their intentions are at present hostile to the fJuropeaus, but means have been adopted by the Government to obtain accurate information, " Captain Corbett, who went to Taupo for information of the state of affairs there, ha 3 not yet returned. He is hourly expected. " The militia have been called out for inspection of arms."