NEWS FORM THE FRONT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1054, 4 June 1869, Page 2

NEWS FORM THE FRONT.

The following items of 'information have been supplied us- by the agent for the General Government: — Despatches were received on Tuesday last from Colonel Herrick, dated the evening of 29th May. - -.>-..-■ The pontoons for the lake flotilla were being rapidly pushed on to the front, and the two boats were also close at hand. The sawing of timber was going on steadily. A reconnaisance was to be made on Wednesday as far as Te Puti, and the country in that direction; and also to Whataroa, on the right flank of the last camp before crossing the lake. The latter is an old camp of Te Waru's. Ensign Witty, in marching to join the force, found, near Putere, a keg which had contained powder, with a maker's name in Boston on it, showing the source from which the natives get their supplies. News had reached the camp that Te Kooti'a body had been found buried in the same grave with a woman at Mohaka. A potato plantation had been discovered not far off, from which the force would be able to supply itself as soon as the boat arrives. The plantation is round a small arm of the lake, and the road being very precipitous and bad, it would be almost impossible to pikau the potatoes. To economise the transport of provisions at the front, a considerable number of natives were being halted at convenient spots , till the preparations for crossing the lake are complete. There was a sufficient force at the camp near the lake to do fatigues and hold its own in case of being attacked. The weather was fine again. ■ The native contingent fired a few shots on the 29tb, to unload their rifles, and the ! enemy immediately fired a shot in apparent defiance. \ Colonel Whitmore, after a day's jrtay in r N«ptoif r proceede{roff Tuesday morning to ; Wairoa, in the Sturt, and will make a visit > to the front to consult with Colonel Herrick. ' He will not remain more than a day or two. There is no truth whatever in the rumor [ that the Colonel is about to resign his command. He will probably proceed to Wellington on a short visit to attend in his place in the Legislative Council. ■ Despatches were also received on Tuesday ' from Lieut.-Colonel St. John, dated Fort Galatea, 29th May. Everything was quiet, and the men were busily occupied in building ovens, hutting themselves, and making roads. Lieut.-Colonel St. John was to be . at Runanga and Opepe on the 30th. The repairs on the track between Haroto and Runanga were being actively made, and it is now passable for pack-horses. Supplies are to be immediately forwarded from Napier to the new head-quarters at Opepe and to Runanga. A strong stockade will be shortly erected at Te Haroto, for the telegraph | station and a military post, for which this place is peculiarly well adapted. 0 ' The erection of the line from Pohui to Haroto will soon be completed, and then there will be daily communication between Taupo and Napier. The further extension of the line to Runanga is also in progress. !