POVERTY BAY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1027, 2 March 1869, Page 2

POVERTY BAY.

LEROM OUB OWW COBBESPOITDESrT.J Turancu, Feb. 11, 1869. Since my last, nothing of importance has ocourred. Capt. Tuke has been engaged scouring the inland districts. Karepa, the Hauhau formerly alluded to as a noted miscreant, has been nominally examined. I say nominally, beoause evidence that would have condemned the prisoner was nottaken. At present Karepa is supposed to be in the safe keeping of Ihaka Whanga, the Nuhaka chief who is residing at Muriwai. General concern is felt that Karepa has, as we believe, virtually got off ; no one doubts he can, and will escape if so minded. Very heavy rains have fallen during the last two days, which have wonderfully refreshed the parched up pastures. , The Yen. Archdeacon Williams is receiving statements of losses on account of the Poverty Bay Relief Fund. | Great satisfaction is felt at the energy displayed by Capt. Tuke, and somewhat more confidence is felt in consequence of that officer's active, proceedings. The body of the captain of the Agnes was recovered last Sunday, and an inquest has been held ; verdict, accidental death. Most of the European infants at Turanganui are suffering from a disease the nature of which I believe is unknown. Of this disease Mr. Hardy's child died last night. # . Feb. 19. On the 10th of this month we were visited with a severe earthquake shook, which lasted about ten minutes. .It commenced near upon 10 a.m. The house in which I reside reeled and rocked in a most alarming manner — so much so, that we were obliged to retreat to a paddock for comparative safety. The gyration was very perceptible, and caused a sensation of nausea. This visitation was the most serious known for years. No damage was done, and we devoutly hope ..other districts came off as well as this. Since the earthquake we have had incessant heavy rains, which caused a flood, threatening at one time to submerge the plain and drown the remaining stock. On Saturday, 13th, the Waipawa overflowed its banks at Titoko (Mr. Wyllie's place) and flooded the surrounding country ; but the Waipawa began to fall the same day, and averted the destruction anticipated. Turanga has suffered at various times from excessive floods, which have eventuated in great losses to its community. Upon this occasion the cutter Agnes, owned by Capt. Read, was forced from her anchors in the Waipawa, and carried out to sea beyond the bar. There she was met by the southerly gale which raged at the time, and was forced bodily upon the beach, high and dry, where she lies at firesent, much injured, and, we fear, with ittle prospect of her ultimate salvation. A few refugees from Te Kooti (some say five, others twenty people) are residing near Patutahi, waiting, but fearful to come in. They are in communication with Muriwai pa, the natives of which offer them an asylum, but the consciousness of past peccadilloes, to call them by no harsher name, deters the fugitives from accepting the proffered hospitality until they have made " assurance doubly sure." At present they are very " 'umble ;" by-and-bye, when fed upon Government rations, they will " laugh and get fat," and amuse their leisure by corresponding with traitors outside. The Tawera, schooner, arrived yesterday from Kawa Kawa roads, where she retired through stress of weather on her voyage from Auckland. She brings several passengers, amongst others Mr. W. Walsh, brother to late Lieut. Walsh. Passengers report that information reached Kawa Kawa of Te Kooti being midway between Opotiki and Poverty Bay. Mokena is said to have started in pursuit with 200 Ngatiporou. Ihaka Wanga left Murewai yesterday, with, I believe, from 160 to 200 natives, on an expedition to Ngatepa. Loyal as that fine old ohief is, I think very little of the men under him, with the exception of Ihaka's immediate followers. The St. Kilda came in last night, bringing a heavy mail, and, it is said, will leave for Waiapu on Monday to convey Rapata and some of his men here. If it is true Mokena has gone in chase of Te Kooti, I presume we need not expect Rapata for some time to come. The Agnes still remains stranded high and dry. The Murewai natives refused £50 to get her off; they demand what in Maori is, I believe, equivalent to the terms " double payment" i.e., pay and rations. Capt. Read demurs. Our natives, unlike those of Fiji, aro not likely to lower wages in tho labour market. Application has been made to Yen. Arch. Williams, for immediate distribution of a portion ofthe relief fund in favour of those who are most in want of speedy relief. Of this class there are not a few in number. I have not heard what answer, if any, has been received. I enclose a letter in reply to Mr. Bousfield, which please insert. [Tho letter iv question, together with part of our correspondent's journal, shut out of this issue, shall appear in our next.]