TAUPO.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1093, 19 October 1869, Page 2

TAUPO.

We are informed by the General Government agent that intelligence has beenjjreceived from the front to the 13 th instant. Very severe weather was being experienced, and operations against Te Kooti had been delayed in consequence. The difficulties of transporting supplies were also greatly increased by the bad weather, but those had been overcome and full supplies were being pushed on. Te Kooti's position was believed to be known, and McDonnell's force was to follow him into the bush directly the weather cleared. From the intense cold now being experienced in Napier, some idea may be formed of the hardships our forces in the interior must be undergoing. Southerly rain here, means snow and extreme cold there ; and the past day or two must have sorely tried the -very hardiest of the Colonial troops. A report reached town yesterday afternoon, that a trooper had arrived at Te Haroto, wounded in the arm, and said he had been fired at by hostile natives about five miles from that post. Enquiry was made, and it was ascertained that Sergeant Major Bennett and four troopers, of whom the wounded man was one, had left Te Haroto yesterday morning for Runanga, and fears were entertained for their safety. Subsequently Sergeant Major Bennett returned to Te Haroto, when it appeared that the trooper, while suffering from the effects of drink, had shot himself with his revolver. Great mischief is being done by the sale of spirits on the line of road to Taupo, along which men belonging to the forces are constantly passing, and we understand that (vide advertisement), strong measures are being taken to put a stop to it.