FURTHER OPERATIONS AT OPOTIKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1614, 15 February 1866, Page 3

FURTHER OPERATIONS AT OPOTIKI.

(From the Southern Cross, February 5.) Br the Government steamer Sturt. Captain Fairchild, which arrived early yesterday morning from Opotiki, Matata, Maketu, and Taurauga we have later intelligence from these places. It will he remembered that the Sturt was despatched from Wellington for the purpose of bringing up to Auckland the murderers of Mr. Fulloon and the crew of the cutter Kate, and upon her arrival there she was despatched to Tauranga and Maketu for further reinforcements of troops on account of the unsettled state of the natives. On Friday last, she took on board at Opotiki the prisoners who had been sentenced to death by courtmartial held there, for the murder of Mr. Fulloon and the crew of the cutter Kate. The embarkation of the prisoners was carried out with the utmost vigilance, Colonel Lyons, the officer commanding, having ordered a strong gUard to range themselves from the Stockade down to the wharf where the Sturt was lying,, in order to prevent any attempt at escape. It had been previously reported to him that the : prisoners had openly stated that " they knew I they were to be -shot, and why not do it at once, instead of taking them to Auckland," also that they " intended, if possible, to make their escape by jumping overboard, and if they escaped being shot, well and good, if not it may just as well come first as last." The Sturt called at Matata and Maketu that night for the purpose of receiving on board witnesses, and afterwards touched at Tau- | ranga for dispatches. The Sturt has brought the following Captain Percivall, Captain T. Wilson, Mr. Clarke, R.M.. Mr. Raynard, Mr. Bruce, Captain Leggett (in charg), Lieutenant Gray, 3 sergeants, 40 rank and file of the Ist Waikato regiment, 1 prisoner (military), 1 sergeant, 2 privates (escort), 31 native prisoners, 31 native witnesses, and 3 discharged soldiers. Among the prisoners is the prophet Te Hura Te Tai. The day the Sturt left Opotiki, Colonel Lyons was going to march upon a native stronghold called the Gorge, a few miles inland, but of very difficult access. It was expected that some very hot fighting would take place, but*no doubt our next intelligence will be that the difficulty has been overcome on our side. The six prisoners taken on the charge of being concerned in the murder of Mr.Volkner still remain at Opotiki, awaiting their trial by court-martial.