WAR NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1061, 29 June 1869, Page 2

WAR NEWS.

We are indebted for the following semiofficial information to the agent for the General Government i —

Despatches were received from Waikare-^ moana on Friday, per the St. Kilda, dated 19th, 22nd, and 23rd. All communication had been cut off for several days by incessant rain and heavy floods ; but the weather had cleared up on 22nd. Nothing of importance had been going on since last report. Preparations for crossing the lake were making as steady progress as the weather would permit.

Further despatches were received early on Sunday from Colonel Herrick, dated 25th inst. These were only 40 hours on the road.

The weather had cleared up after a continuance of many days' heavy rain, which had caused floods in all the rivers, and interrupted the communication between Wairoa and the Front. ■ ■)•■

Colonel Herrick would shortly be in a position to visit the opposite shore of the Lake, and to reap the fruits of his perseverance under difficulties and obstacles of almost insurmountable character in preparing his flotilla. The settlements on the. shores of Waikaremoana have long been a source of standing menace to the Wairoa, Mohaka, and other places; but we may hope shortly to root out the lawless banditti who are harbored there, and to restore confidence to ou» settlers who have been exposed to their outrages.

An important despatch was received on Saturday afternoon from Captain St. George, dated Tapuehararu, 25th inst.

Captain St. George reports tbat Te Kooti is now at Mberangi, a few miles from the southern end of the Lake. He has only 100 men with him, and intends to make a stand. He has sent letters to the Hau Haus and few friendly natives on the western shore, asking them to join him ; but it is understood that they have declined to do so. The King party are also against him, as far as can be made out. On bis march up the eastern shores he destroyed Te Hatapi, and killed one man, perhaps two. He then went on to Te Kura and Waihi, and is reported to have burnt those places. Hori Tauteka and Kingi, with fcbeir people, had retired in the direction of Wanganui. Te Heu Heu and Paurini are reported to have been taken prisoners,, or to have joined him. From Hatapi, or Tauranga, the Uriwera portion of Te Kooti's force returned towards their own country. As far as can be ascertained these number about 100. Hotipu Tamamutu and thirty men had gone from Tapuehararu round the Lake, as far as Hatapi, to look for stray friendlies that may be hanging about the kaingas, and were to return on the 25th instant. Capt. St. George had at Tapuehararu some 63 Taupo natives, and 100 Arawas, which was a sufficiently large force to attack Moerangi. 100 more Arawas were on their way up to assist. A prisoner who escaped from Te Kooti had just arrived, and stated that Te Kooti was on his way up the western shore to attack Tapuehararu; but Capt. St. George says they are quite ready to receive him, and do not require any more help. Brigade-majov Birch, who arrived' here from Fort Galatea a few days since with despatches, returned from Te Haroto on Sunday night.

The ferry at tbe church crossing of the Mohaka, between Pohui and Te Haroto, is now in complete order. A large canoe is worked by a wire cable, and affords a safe and ready communication in . any state of the river. Those who have been in the habit of travelling this road will appreciate the advantage which this ferry affords.

The telegraph station will be shifted in a few days to Te Haroto, where the post is now in a state of defence against any attempt at surprise. The inclement weather of late has delayed the completion of the arrangements for opening this additional portion of the telegraph line to Taupo and Auckland beyond the time fixed. ' [

Captain Coventry, late of the 79th Regiment, marched on Saturday afternoon, with the detachment of Guides, to reinforce the garrison at Te Haroto. This is a fine body of men.

From Captain St. George's despatch it would appear tbat the report of 21 of Paora Ilnpi's people having been killed by Te Kooti is incorrect, only one, or at most two, having been killed ; and there is reason to hope, from other accounts, that these people are only biding somewhere. Paora Hapi, with 20 men, and his women and children, are with our garrison at Te Haroto.

The Government have given gratuities of £5 each to Constables Raymond and Brooking, for their zeal and courage in carrying despatches between Fort Galatea and Te Haroto. Mr. Macdonald (overseer to Mr. Cox), who, immediately after the affair at Opepe, volunteered to open up communication with Fort Galatea from this side, and succeeded in doing so, declined any reward for Ins services. He has offered to continue them at any time when his doing so does not interfere with liis station duties ; and the Government bave to thank him warmly for his disinterested services on several occastous.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE. An orderly arrived from Patea yesterday afternoon, having left Mr. Birch's station on Sunday. He is the bearer of letters regarding the movements of To Kooti, Avbich confirm the information furnished on the 25th by Capt. St. George, as to Kooti's being at Moerangi, on the west side of the Lake. He had taken Heu Hen and Paurini, with nearly all the people who remained at Tokano, pi'iaoners. Kooti had not killed any of them, but wishes them to join him. He had destroyed and looted Tokano. Hori Tauteka and his people were at the Hatape falls, near Karaitiana's pah, Patea, and were doily expecting some of the Wanganui natives, to whom they had written for assistance.

The Late Captain Tbavebs. — The death of poor young Travors, who fell in the fight on the Bth May, is thus described by acorrespondontof the Southern Gross : — "The gallant Capt. Travers refused to take cover, but kept cheering on his men. He had just shot a Hau Hau who had made himself very conspicuous, when he received his own death wound. Ho was struck about the waist, the bullet severing the aorta. He gave his men a cheer, said " Good-bye, my boys ; stick to them, stick to your colors ; I've stuck to niHe," then san'ic down, and resting his head on his hand, tho next instant he was doad,