LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2501, 8 January 1869, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[AX ELECTUIC TELEaBA.PI!.] "Wellington, Jan. 7,1.51 p.m.

Great news from Napier. Te Kooti defeated. Telegrams, just received, Btate that over 100 rebels have been killed, and a large number taken prisoners. Te Kooti is in full retreat, ar.d Colonel Wliitmore is pursuing. More news to follow.

It is hoped that the above is correct, but we await a confirmation.

6.40 p.m. Colonel Whitmore telegraphs further particulars to Colonel Haultain:—

"The fortress of Ngatipa fell yesterday morning at 3 o'clock. The troops and Natives were in full possession on the previous night of the outer wall and works, which were taken by assault in the afternoon, and during the darkness an advance was pushed on by rifle pit and sap, so that when daybreak came the storm could not be resisted. Under these circumstances Te Kooti shot the most influential of his prisoners, and escaped down a cliff, which could not be prevented owing to the cliff being so very high and steep, and as my force was insufficient to entirely surround the hill, I had trusted to keep the lower side safe. The women were first lowered, then followed by Te Kooti himself, wounded in the shoulder and still lame from his wound at Euaki, Ture apparently having been one of the last. This was effected from 1 to 3 a.m., during which time Major Fraser, who was nearest of the force, fired, and with some effect, on the place from whence the sound came. The last had barely escaped when our people entered; and however formidable the work looked outside it was still stronger to look at from within. The Ngatiporou aod Arawa division, who had behaved splendidly throughout, started at once in pursuit. Te Kooti's followers spread out into the bush in small parties. The pursuit was carried out in the same way throughout the day and till after dark; they returned with prisoners and plunder. The Arawa had engaged the IJriwera contingent, and killed Rangiaho, a chief of note; previously to that, Nikora had been killed, and his wife brought m. Iu all, more than 120 of the enemy have been killed. These numbers are accurate, the bodies having been exhumed from the enemy's ditches, and others being found lying in or about the pah, or stripped of their arms and loads by those who overtook and shot them. I think very few women, and those only by accideut, have been killed, and nc children.

The cohornß appear to have frightened the garrison very much, and killed some. The number inside must have exceeded our estimate, for the escort carrying Te Kooti must be some forty men, and only eighteen out of thirty Uriweraa were killed. I am dispatching fresh parties in pursuit, mid hope still to catch Te Kooti. Every man of note in his band is killed except himself, and he can't be far off. I blew down a large portion of one of the walls, and fired a Royal salute last night in honour of the capture." Our Wellington correspondent adds that 80 prisoners are taken—fourteen only men, the rest women and children. The loss on our side was ten men killed and one officer, alike number being wounded.

Wi Tako, Mete Kingi, and Tamihana Rauparaha are in town waiting to go South with the Governor.