THE NATIVE WAR.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 489, 10 April 1869, Page 2

THE NATIVE WAR.

LATEST FEOM THE FBONT. By the s.s. Wallabi, we have Wanganui papers to the 6th inst. The Chronicle of that day says : Not only is there war, actual though transitory, along the coast, but we are now threatened with rumours of other wars. On Friday the district seemed quiet; Titoko Waru had effectually eluded all pursuit. The distribution of the troops had been decided on and their marching orders issued. Colonel Lyon with a corps d'observation of 70 men (in addition to local forces) was to hold Patea, while the remainder marched through the bush, by Chute's track to Taranaki, and there embarked for Tauranga via Aucklaud. On Saturday all these orders were countermanded, as danger threatened from an unexpected quarter. The p.s. Sturt, which was lying at the harbour of Opunaki, was specially despatched to Wanganui with despatches to catch the s.s. Storm Bird, but having fouled some of her machinery, only arrived on Saturday in the river. Prom Wanganui a special messenger was despatched the same night to Wellington. The nature of the fresh intelligence was that 300 of the Ngatimaniopotos had arrived in the disturbed districts between New Plymouth and Waihi; but whether for the purpose of reinforcing Titoko Waru, or for attacking New Plymouth or the settlements on this side of the Patea, does not clearly appear. They are described as fully armed. This put an end to any movements out of the district, beyond a force of some 70 mounted constabulary despatched, by the way of the Forty Mile Bush, for Hawke's Bay. Meanwhile the two Government steamers are storm-stayed in the river.