THE PURSUIT OF TE KOOTI.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2168, 30 March 1870, Page 3

THE PURSUIT OF TE KOOTI.

[From the " Post."] Such is the heading of a column of the "Southern Cross," of the 21st instant, giving an account of the proceedings of the native force under Kemp and Topia, subsequent to the late raid on Opepe—where Kooti did or did not kill a number of native women, as people choose to believe. These " pursuits," since "Westrupp first commenced them, would, if colform a rather bulky volume; and they seem to ha?e one invariable fteulfc—utter failure. Kooti is evidently not to be caught. The subttance of the present " pursuit" leemed to be that Kemp, with 350 men, started up the Waimana Gorge on the sth instant; the road was Ffiir rough, among large boulders, and after getting some way up the TJriweras fired on the advanced guard. The firing was kept up for about two miles, when a flag of truce was sent ahead, but no one was found. On the morning of the Bth instant, anUriwera village was reached, which had a white flag flying. Here they were visited by the son of Te Mahaikoha, who reported that all the rest of the hapu were away in the bush. There was much speechifying here, and Kemp presented a revoker to the young man, after discharging all the chambers. Tβ Mahaikoha is the man, or is believed to be, who murdered both Mr Pitcairn aid Mr Bennett White. Possibly Kemp gave the revolver because the young man came of a good murdering ■*«*. On the 10th, Kemp being in we game camp, in came Te Mahaiiohe himself; and there was a great jorero. Kemp explained that the force was after Te Kooti and Kereopa, wd desired not to interfere with anybody else, unless he or his fcen were resisted. It had been arttaged that Eopata, with his Ngatiporous, should join Kemp at MaungaPohatu, which was but half-a-day's from this camp j but nothing ymd be heard of the Ngatiporous. A » Mahaikohe promised that the Urew ®as in that neighborhood, at least, *<jua remain peaceable fo? the future j-tbeyhad had enough of Te Kooti, fcssaid, and would not have anything a ore to do with him. There was a war-dance and more koreroing yg the afternoon. On the 11th, Rowing the illustrious example of y of France, Kemp commenced march, and on the 12th ar*ed at Ohiwa, bis men, according to J OB Cross," being " inclined to enjoy agood meal." The only result obseems to have been to awaken ?r°§[suspicions in Kemp's mind that k w . ha * at °heaswereplaying false. The was to the effect that W t? Verty Bay settlers were patrolg the place, and were quartered in jJeGmrt House at night. Eopata « supposed to have gone to Waikarea^ , The nati *e* from Cape Kunwere assembling at finwL or g an > as soon as all his jjf collected, intended to strike g*d to Kowhai and Maratai. Te Am * Bu PPosed to be somewhere to?m %> Waiaeka Gorge. Kemp at 0S a witlx their P eo P le were cb s P ° j 5 bufc intended to start again A large number of other v Arawas » UQ der Marsli and ' were marching inland W rT£ to w«fde Opotiki, to join Topia. Colonel McDonnell 611^*0^61