THE NATIVE WAR.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 449, 8 January 1869, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR.

ANOTUEB FIGHT at POVERTY BAY. Government telegrams published in Wellington on the 4th state that the Ahuriri had arrived from Poverty Bay. The Ngatiapa have as nearly as possible invested the enemy. Praser and Hotene have taken an outwork in the rear of tho pa, and the Arawas are entrenched within fifty yards of the enemy's front. The enemy made two attempts to escape. Our loss is one Arawa, one Ngatiapa, and Captain of the Constabulary, killed. The fog on the hill too thick to allow our side to see what the rebels suffered after a volley from "250 men. From Wanganui wo learn that two spies, more or less trustworthy, have been brought into camp, who report that Tito Kowaru's whole force is at Popatupu. Five of his people were nearly caught by our cavalry the other day when Mr Handley's house was burned, audthishas alarmed them sufficiently to compel them to keep together. The spies say the Hauhaus have no news from the King, that they intend moving this way, but have plenty of food still at P.ipaupU. They have no idea of attacking Patea. The enemy's force is supposed to be not under 800, without counting women and some nominal neutrals. As Mr W. Russell was proceeding from Kai Iwi towards Wanganui, he fell in with the Militia, who were camped out for the night ; the seutry, J. J. Williams, late of Wellington, challenged him three times, but receiving no answer, he fired and shot Mr Russell in the leg, wounding him severely. Mr Russell states that the wind was blowing so hard, that he did not hear the challenge. It has now been ascertained that of the thirteen men returned by Colonel Whitmore as " missing" after the battle near Okutuku, one was found in the bush many days afterwards, and the other 12 were tomahawked, taken into Tito Kowaru's pa, cooked, and eaten.