Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1869.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1015, 19 January 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1869.

We have no wish to detract from Colonel Whitmore (who, at least, is always courteous, which is move thau he said of every distinguished officer to be met) ; nor to lessen unduly the importance of tho victory gained at Ngatepa by the forces under his command. We believe, certainly, that the work was pretty well done before Colonel Whitrnore's arrival in Poverty Bay, through the instrumentality of the very men he, or at least his satellites, are now given to undervalue — the native allies. But we freely admit that a severe blow was inflicted on the enemy ; and tho arrival of the news {vide a complaint in our contemporary) was hailed by us with such rejoicing as may be estimated by the prompt exhibition of bunting.

While admitting that the Hau Haus have been severely punished, we may be permitted to douht whether the blow inflicted has beeu of that crushing character which would warrant

tho steps since taken by tiie government, such as the total withdrawal of tlio forces from Poverty Buy, and the sudden abolition of the well trained intelligence corps of Capt. Weber. Te Kooti is yet in the field ; and although minus his old men and women, together with a good many braves, we have no doubt he has yet a tolerable following of fighting men, all the more dangerous, perhaps, from being divested of encumbrance. This supposition is strengthened by the fact that, amongst the slain at Ngatepa, very few indeed were recognised as escaped prisoners. Then there is the danger to be apprehended from the Uriweras under Pairau, who, if the Taupo chiefs are to be relied upon, are fully bent on joining Te Kooti for the ; purpose of seeking a bloody retribution for the death of Rangiwjia; and the annihilation of his party. The natives here have received a like intimation, and fully believe it.

It may be, nevertheless, that the rebellion on the East Coast is stamped out : we hope it will* prove so. G-iven the result, and we are envious of uo officer through whose instrumentality it may be effected. But we trust the Government will not, until at least some time shall have elapsed, permit itself to be deluded into a security which may prove to be false, aud which may result in the reenactment, nearer home, of similar scenes to those exhibited iv Poverty Bay.