LATER INTELLIGENCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 965, 1 August 1868, Page 2

LATER INTELLIGENCE.

RICHARDSON DRIVEN BACK UPON WAIEOA. Yesterday afternoon an express messenger arrived in town, conveying tlie news that Richardson had met the ex-prisoners at Te Reinga, and, after three hours fighting, been repulsed, and compelled to fall back upon Wairoa. Richardson's force is understood to have numbered 25 Europeans and 50 Maoris. The bulk of the latter were never in action, and, after three hours hard fighting, Richardson found himself left with 16 Europeans and 4 natives, the rest having skedaddled. One native was killed, and two of the enemy were seen to fall. He first encountered the advanced guard of the Hau Haus, and then the main body. He believes them to bo 200 strong, all armed with rifles, and able to use them. The messenger was despatched on Wednesday last ; nothing seems to have been known of the movements of the enemy in the intervening period; although, of course, rumours were rife. The weather was dreadful, the country quite impassable ; but the general opinion was that the exprisoners would cross over into the ITriwera country, to secure their plunder — whatever their subsequent course might be. Capt. Richardson was to start on Thursday, with the view, if possible, of effecting a junction with Colonel Whitmore.