NOTES FROM WANGANUI.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 558, 23 September 1869, Page 3

NOTES FROM WANGANUI.

A correspondent at Wanganui, writing to us on the 14th inst., says : News came into town this morning to the effect that the Friendlies had to fall back, as Te Kooti had killed four of their number and had a very large force at his command. He seems to have had his force divided into two parties—one at the head of the river, and the other further north. A prospecting party left here some time ago, and they are still about thirty miles up the river; as they cannot get to the locality in which they originally found some gold, on account of the proximity of the hostile Natives. Colonel M'Donnell and his brother are both out on a prospecting tour, and it is believed that they have found some good reefs, as the Colonel has brought some fine specimens into town. There is also a flying rumor of some payable ground having been opened at Taranaki, but I have been unable to ascertain the particulars. Mr M'Lean, the Defence Minister, arrived here last evening in the steamer Sturt* He is going to visit the upriver Maoris, and then he proceeds to Auckland, to see what can be done with the Waikatoes. The Governor's intended visit to this place has been postponed, as he, like all the rest of the country, is going to Auckland to spend the summer.