Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9,1869. TAUPO.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1099, 9 November 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1869. T A U P O.

We have received no official intelligence from this district, there being, in fact, nothing to communicate. From a private source, however, we learn that McDonnell is in all probability again out after the enemy, whose force is now much reduced in number, and who is believed to be in great straits for want of provisions, being obliged to subsist on toe and the tops of trees. The story told about Te Kooti being shot in the pa at Mohaka is not altogether fiction. He was fired at, as described, but the bullet passed through his clothes. When he landed first, he was attended by 163 men, escapees from the Chatham Islands. Of that number 91 have been killed, or diei of their wounds, leaving only 72 of the prisoners alive. Unfortunately, the greatest scoundrels seem to have escaped. Tamihana Teketeke, the murderer of Hartnett at Waitangi; Mike of Tongoioj Tdhau one of the murderers of Major Biggs ; and Baker the half caste, being still alive and ready for any devilment. A few Uriweras remain with Te Kooti, but all other tribes have left him, and his followers are not supposed to exceed 100 altogether. They are believed to be at Waipapa, near the Wanganui river. The statement that Te Kooti lost two fingers and a thumb in the last engagement is verified ; and it is also stated, on the authority of Te Heu Heu, that he has in his possession a gold watch, part of the plunder taken from the house of Major Biggs. Paori Hapi, the accident to whom has already been referred to in the Hbeald, lies in a critical state. His wound is a very severe one, the bullet having entered the lower part of the back and escaped through the thigh. It is to be hoped this loyal and fine old chief may ultimately recover. Some particulars of the unfortunate death of the lad Leonard Goldfinch have reached us. It appears that, in travelling with Henare's party, he was riding along a very narrow bridge, when, by some means, horse and rider went over the side, and fell some 30 or 40 feet into a deep ravine. An inquest on the body was held by Capt. Tuke, when a verdict of accidental death was returned.