BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1982, 11 September 1869, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(from our own correspondent.) Wellington, Saturday. Telegrams received by the Government state that the forces are gradually nearing Te Kooti’s position at Rotoaira. Te Kooti has burned all the kaingas on the northern and eastern sides of Taupo lake. Great fears had been entertained for the last few days regarding the fate of a canoe scouting party of thirty men which has not returned at the expected time. News has since been received of their safe return. Rewi Ngatiamaniapoto is still with him, and a friendly Maori woman escaped from Te Kooti's camp, reports his party to be very short of ammunition. News has been received in Wanganui of the slaughter of four of Wirihana’s men who were out scouting at Rotoaira, and who had been surprised by Te Kooti’s people and killed. The Ngatiporous are taking up a position at Waihi. They will form a strong advance guard, behind which it is proposed to locate a strong body of settlers who may cultivate their lands to a certain extent. Major Kemp on hearing of the reported slaughter of Wirihana’s men went up the Wanganui river with 100

men. Auriferous quartz has been discovered in the Kaimanawa ranges at the head of the Wanganui river. Specimens were forwarded to the Superintendent by Captain M‘Donnell and analysed. The results were highly satisfactory. Mr Skey, the analyst, reports that three samples are richly auriferous :

the other (white quartz) is more auriferous. The gold is crystalline, similar to that at the Thames. The gold is associated with k utile (?). A reward has been claimed.