ENGAGEMENT WITH TE KOOTI.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 866, 26 September 1871, Page 2

ENGAGEMENT WITH TE KOOTI.

The following particulars were forwarded by Capt. Porter to the Supertendent of Hawke's Bay : Sir,- —It is with extreme regret I have to report Te Kooti having once more narrowly escaped capture or death. I last reported having discovered Te Kooti's trail at Pa Puni, on the 24th ult. From that date, despite innumerable difficulties from continued wet weather, and Te Kooti adopting every stratagem to disguise his trail, by alternately scattering through bush, passing through water, and so forth, after a most circuitous route through the dense forest ranges to the N.W. of Maungapowhatu, we succeeded in coming upon him in a clearing of the Urowera at Tauranga, between Maungapowhatu and Tawhana, on the 3rd ultimo. I selected sixty men, and advanced close to Te Kooti's camp, and slept under arms all night. At 4 a.m. on the Ist Sept., I proceeded to surround the place, by extending from both flanks. By daybreak I assured myself of Te Kooti's whare, seeing his half-caste wife Olivia going in and out in the preparation of food. I instructed men to keep an eye upon the whare, and should Te Kooti attempt to escape, to fire a volley at him. It was my intention to completely surround the place, and to send a man forward to call upon all to surrender quietly. I had sent Ruka te Aratapu towards the right flank for that purpose when, greatly to my annoyance, matters were precipitated by the over-eager-ness of those on the left flank, who prematurely opened fire, and charged upon the whares. The Hau Haas at once took the alarm, and fled in the direction of Te Kooti's whare; a general rush followed, and all was at once confusion, many of the Hau Haus escaping through us in a state of nudity. Te Kooti was the first to rush away with only a blanket in his left hand. No shots could be fired without endangering our own men. Our best men were at once in pursuit of the fugitives, but without avail, the pursued being thoroughly practised in woodcraft, and running for their lives in a state of nudity. The loss on the part of the enemy is five killed. Nine prisoners, three carbines, two rifles, and a small quantity of ammunition, a number of tomahawks, and every article belonging to them. Among the kilied is Wi Weheikora, a notorious murderer; among the prisoners are Te Kooti's two favourite wives, Olivia and Nia-te-whiu, and another had gono to Maungapohatu the day previous to the attack. Anaru Mateti and nine others separated from Te Kooti at Pa Puni, and went in direction of the Waimaha. The Uriweras of the Kaingas, in this vicinity, have abandoned their home, and gone to Tanaki. I sent to communicate with the chiefs of that pa, and v was visited this morning by Te Awamutu and Ihaka Wheareapu, who informed me that thirteen of Te Kooti's followers have taken refuge with them. lam in treaty for their surrender. To Kooti is now a fugitive with only six men and four women,' without a weapon of any kind among them. I have parties out in search of traces of Te Kooti, and have requested the TJrewera, to show their sincerity by assisting us in the search. This defeat of Te Kooti appears to have a very salutary effect upon the Ngatihuri, who are very humble. Te Whiri is at Ti Kakari, and promises not to rejoin Te Kooti. I have sent to request him to assist in the capture of the latter, that the Government may deal leniently with him. I have omitted to mention the zeal displayed by Ruka Te Aratapu and Mr John Large throughout the expedition.