LATERST FROM THE FRONT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1034, 26 March 1869, Page 3

LATERST FROM THE FRONT.

(From a Correspondent of the " Wanganui Times.") Titokowartj's force is breaking up : the Waitotara natives bare left him and are returning to their land, or are about to return directly. Col. Whitmore is following up the force still with Tito, and is now at Manutahi. Kemp and his men were pursuing the fugitives for two days in the ranges, but strange to say do not appear to have come up with them, and the more strange too as they were encumbered in their retreat with women and children. Their loss when attacked by our force on Saturday morning was not so severe as reported in the newspapers : there is now a dispute in camp as to whether there were three or four Hauhaus killed ; that however does not matter much as our men had a decided victory, the effect of which is very apparent in the camp. All admit, however, that the enemy conducted their retreat better than could have been expected under the circumstances. Although they were taken by surprise at early dawn of a foggy morning yet they carried away their women and children, and whilst making their retreat killed and wounded 'more of our men than we did of theirs. Talking of killed I may tell you that two more of our poor fellows, T. Pleura and Gundry, have died of their wounds, making five killed, namely — Constable Stevenson, No. 8 A.C. ; Constable Bath, No. 1 A.C. ; Constable Smith, No. 1 A.C. ; Constable Gundry, No. 8 A.C. ; and Mr. T. Fleurs of the scouts. Slow fever is still prevalent in the camp. Colonel Eraser was attacked but is getting better ; so was Sub-Inspector Goring and several other officers. The recent heavy rains and sleeping upon the cold wet ground and under wet canvas will account for this. In fact some of the men had no tents at all. Both officers and men are in high spirits, and we unfortunate settlers begin to look forward to better times. We hope that the Government will nofc allow the scoundrels from the "Waifcotara who joined Titokowaru, to return and occupy their land as if nothing had occurred, as in that case they will consider that we are afraid of them, and none of the settlers will be safe in returning to rebuild their ruined homesteads near them, nor will it be safe for us to travel between Patea and Wanganui if those men who joined the cannibals and fought against us are allowed to go back and occupy the country again. They may be going to do it for Titokowaru. Now is our time to teaoh them a lesson. I can tell you that Colonel M'Donnell does not return to join this force. Tho Government has acceded to Colonel Whitmore's wish that he should not bo allowed to return, and he has got a command of some kind either on the Waikato or some part of the East Coast. There is queer talk in camp about this matter, but perhaps you know more about it than I do.