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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 479, 18 March 1869, Page 2

By the arrival of the s.s. Beautiful Star, we are in possession of extra editions of the Wanc/anui Times, published on Monday, and containing the following particulars of the engagement : " Shortly after daylight on Saturday morning the force under Col. Whitmore's command attacked a large body of the enemy a few miles inland from Patea, and drove them from their position. From the meagre intelligence to hand it appears that the natives were completely taken by surprise, and fled down a bush gully, close to their position. Everything with the exception of their arms was left behind, and men, women, and children fled in a state of nudity. Although so suddenly surprised the natives fought well, and a strong party covered their retreat, which was gradually facilitated by a den se fog covering the gully at the time. They were followed for four miles, their rear guard making a stand occasionally to enable their wounded to be taken away. Two women who were taken prisoners stated that there were about 400 men, women and children in the pah. Seven bodies of the Hau-haus had been seen when our informant left, but their loss is supposed to be much greater. The pah, a large quantity of provisions, blankets, clothing, &c, were destroyed and burnt. Colonel "Whitmore with his force is following up the fugitives." It happens that, in the foregoing report, there is no statement of the loss, but it is contained in the heading, and the news is corroborated by passengers who have arrived by the Beautiful Star. On Thursday last, a Mr Dale arrived in Wanganui, bringing the following intelligence of an attack on an escort at Whenuakura:— "At 2 p.m. yesterday, an escort consisting of about 50 men, under the command of Lieutenant Hunter, conveying rations and stores from Patea to Wairoa, were attacked by a party of about 100 to 150 rebels, at the Patea side of the Whenuakura river. It appears that whilst the first dray was in the act of crossing the river a volley was fired into the escort, on which one man who had been driving sheep fell, but whether shot or thrown from his horse Mr Dale cannot say. Our men immediately took shelter alongside the drays and opened fire upon the rebels. As the attacking par*y had got behind our men, and also had some men on this side of the river, our men, so few in number, could neither reLreat to Patea nor cross the river and escape on this side. They would have to fight it out, and were doing so when Mr Dale left." It is said that Tito Kowaru's men are deserting him, in considerable numbers. It appears that he has been misbehaving himself in reference to the women in camp; it can easily be understood that a savage so cruel is also coarse and sensual ; and hence has arisen a disaffection among his followers. Other accounts say that they are only engaged lifting their potato crop, planted in different places in the hush. By the arrival of the steamer Bruce, from Auckland, we have some late particulars from the Waikato district. A correspondent of the Herald says : "It would seem that the King, Tamati, and a very large portion of the

King party, are decidedly in favour of ** peace, and opposed to war—but the natives are all in a state of excitement at the murders which have been committed, and it is not easy to calculate the effects of the conduct of Reihana and the more violent Hau-haus. The number of this party who are inclined for war is not at present very large. Another meeting has been arranged to be held at Tokangamutu, at which both the peacefully inclined, and also Reihana, Tikaokao, and Wetere, are all invited to discusß the present aspect of affairs, and whether it is to be peace or war. It is thus pretty clear that Rewi, as well as Tamati, is supporting Tawhio in the interests of peace. Messengers have been sent by the King to all the native settlements round about his place in the Waikato to be on the alert, and not to allow any armed party to pass. The King and his party have done much in the interests of peace. But for bis interference and the promptitude of Rewi and Tamati, Alexandra weuld have been attacked at the same time that the murders were committed at "White Cliffs."