THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AT WELLINGTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 492, 17 April 1869, Page 2

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AT WELLINGTON.

ASSEMBLAGE OF THE NATIVES. ATTACK ON MOHAKA PAH. TWENTY-SEVEN FRIENDLY NATIVES MASSACRED. CAPTURE OF AMMUNITION BY TE KOOTI. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) own cobeespondent.) "Wellington, Friday. The arrangements made for the entertainment of the Duke of Edinburgh continue to occupy exclusive attention.

On Tuesday there was a gathering of the Natives, including those whe had arrived from Napier and Wanganui, to the number of two hundred. They assembled at Thorndon Barracks, and the Duke drove down to the ground, four-in-hand. Great demonstrations were made by the Natives, and a war dance was given.

On Wednesday a regatta in the bay was attempted. There were only three races undertaken. In the evening there was a ball, which proved a success. The Duke was present. On Thursday, the weather was wet and uncomfortable, and nothing was done.

To-day there is an extensive public picnic. Friday, 10.30 p.m. A dinner was given to the Prince at the Club yesterday. The pic-nic to-day, at which the Prince was present, was held by the Friendly Societies, who combined for the purpose. The Galatea has been open for inspection to-day, and large crowds have visited her. The Galatea sails for Nelson tomorrow (Saturday.)

Wellington, Tuesday. The latest Native news from Napier is to the effect that a pah belonging to friendly Natives was taken possession of by Te Kooti on Sunday morning. He made protestations of friendship, and gained a footing in the pah. He then attacked the friendly Natives, killing four. Thirteen got away, but all the rest wjo were in the pah are believed to have been killed.

The friendlies, although taken by surprise, showed fight, and twelve of the Hau-haus were killed.

Te Kooti was fired at, at close quarters, by two men in the pah, but the result is not known.

Several of the settlers' families in the neighbourhood are missing.

All settlers' houses are burned down whenever Te Kooti gets possession. His force is known to number between 300 and 500 men.

"Wellington, Wednesday. The latest news from Napier is that one of the pas at Mohaka still holds out against Te Kooti. Forty friendlies from Wairoa got into it, and are holding out well. Te Kooti is engaged in sapping close up to it.

A combined attack is to be made upon Te Kooti to-morrow by all the forces at Ormand's disposal. Maori reports state that Te Kooti has since retreated with pack-horses loaded with plunder. One account says that he was killed on Sunday last by a friendly native, but this wants confirmation.

It is said that the families of three settlers, Wilkinson, Cooper, and R. Leaven have been killed, and as many as forty friendlies. , An attack on Napier ia feared.

Chbistchubch, Friday. ! The pab was defended till Sunday morning, when the garrison became completely exhausted. Te Kooti then obtained entrance by making a promise of safety to the garrison, but when he got inside he commenced to kill. There were forty defenders to the pab, out of which number only thirteen escaped. Te Kooti by this victory obtained seventeen casks of ammunition and many rifles. After the capture of the pah, Te Kooti exclaimed, " Now for Wairoa!" Napier and its suburbs are quite denuded of their male population.