IMPORTANT FROM HAWKE'S BAY. CAPTURE OF A PARTY OF QUEENITES BY THE EX-PRISONERS. OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3514, 20 October 1868, Page 5

IMPORTANT FROM HAWKE'S BAY. CAPTURE OF A PARTY OF QUEENITES BY THE EX-PRISONERS. OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

About the end of September a scouring party of friendly natives, tinder a chief named Karaitiana, were despatched by Captain Deighton, 8.M.,t0 get information about the ex- prisoners. Thty should hare been back in three or four days. Fourteen days elapsed, and anxiety for their safety .became very great. They were Supposed to be murdered, and there was great excitement in consequence. A native force of 100 men were preparing, on the 14th instant, and to start in quest of them, and the Mohaka and other native allies had been sent for to render assistance. This news reached Napier on Wednesday last. ' On Thursday another messenger arrived, bringing the startling news that Te Koote's party had joined Te Waru at Whataroa, ten miles from the military settlement in Wairoa district ; that they had captured Karaitiana's party, and shot them, evidently as the beginning of hostilities ; that the friendly natives were mad for revenge, and that war was inevitable. The blockhouse (Clyde) was just finished, and Captain Tuke with his few men had occupied it, ready for the WQrst. The military settlers are called in, and all the militia and volunteers are called out. There is no sufficient force to defend the township, and the next news may be that the township has been sacked. Mr. McLean has returned. He is still General Government Agent, matters having been made up with the Ministry to some extent. So there ii still hope for the province. There are signal fires on all the high lands to the north night after night. The line Is down to-day— the second time this week — between Grey town and Castle Point. Heavy equinoctial gales.