NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2158, 18 March 1870, Page 3

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

[From the " Hawkes Bay Herald."]

SKIRMISH IN THE WAIROA DISTRICT,

From the Wairoa news reached Mr Ormond on Tuesday night that on the Wairoa expedition advancing on Monday, a party of the enemy were encountered at about twelve miles up the Wairoa river. The following is reliable. On Monday morning, the whole expedition, numbering about 200 men, beiug at Te Kapa, an advance was made. Two parties, about twenty strong each, were told off as advanced guards; one went by the Wairau river and the other by the Wairoa. The firstnamed party found both horse and foot tracks of the enemy, and also found several horses, some of which showed signs of having been recently hard ridden. Tho party tbat

advanced by way of the "Wairau river were attacked on reaching Mnrumaru, and a young man named Pera Tataramau, who was on horseback, was shot dead. One of tho enemy, who came out in the open dancing over the body of tho friendly native, was shot dead by our people. The party continued .kirruishing for 80_ae time, but upon supports coming up from our main body, the enemy retreated in two bodies, one toward® Whataroa and Waikare, the other and larger body towards Te Oriki and Tukurangi. The rebel party was headed by Te Waru and Himiona, whose voices were distinctly recognised by the friendly natives engaged. There is little doubt this party was a scouting party only, but the presence of the enemy so near Wairoa has caused the Wairoa natives to be cautious in their advance, from a fear lest the enemy should get in their rear and attack their settlements intheirnbsence, as in the case of the Mohaka last year. Further information from the. Wairoa is hourly expected, and we believe the expedition would move forward again on Tuesday last. The knowledge of Te Waru's presence is of some importance, as showing that To Kooti and his band are at Waikaremoana, as Te Waru was with Kooti on his late retreat from Patetere. Eopata and the Ngatiperou will, if the enemy be in force at Waikaremoana, meet scarcely any opposition at Maungapowhatu, and will probably have arrived at tho lake and engaged the enemy before this.

No definite information has, wo learn, been received from the Bay of Plenty side, but Kemp and Topia, with the Wanganuis, are believed to be advancing simultaneously with Ropata. The little band of Mohaka nativemoved off on Tuesday. They advance by way of the Putere, and would come across any straggling party of the enemy that might endeavor to com© down in that direction.

We learn that Tareha sent; a party of thirty men to the Wairoa last Monday in canoes. The Wairoa and Mohaka natives sent to their native friends here to go to their assistance, but we have not heard as yet that any general move has been agreed upon. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. Telegraphic despatches reached Mr Ormond yesterday afternoon, bringing news that Kemp, Topia, and 300 men had marched into the Uriwera country, so that Ropata and the Ngatiporou will be well supported. The Arawa have not accepted the conditions of service, with pay contingent on success ; so that the hunting Te Kooti in the Uriwera country and the subjugation of the Uriwera is left to the Ngatiporous and Wanganuis. The Constabulary force which moved, under Colouei Macdonnell, to Patatere, is now on its way back to Taupo, and is expected to reach Orakekoraho to-morrow.

The Maori King is reported to bo drawing his people well away into his own country, and to have invited the Ngatiraukawa there, so that they may be out of the way should Kooti endeavor to make back to Patetere.