LATEST NEWS FROM POVERTY BAY AND NAPIER.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 128, 1 August 1868, Page 4

LATEST NEWS FROM POVERTY BAY AND NAPIER.

THE COLONIAL FORCES DEFEATED. By’ the arrival of the Falcon in the river on Thursday last, we are in possession of liles up to that day. We take the following from the Independent ; —- Napier, Friday, July 24. An express arrived here on Thursday (yesterday), with the intelligence that tiring had been heard at the place near Poverty Bay, where the escaped prisoners from the Chatham Islands had entrenched themselves and dug rifle pits. This (Friday) evening important despatches for the General Government were received from Colonel Whitmore, who on arriving on the 20th instant with his comparatively small force of Volunteers, &c., at the place where the escaped prisoners were reported to be encamped, found that they had shifted their position ; in fact, they had “ bolted.” Colonel Whitmore immediately despatched the steamer Waipara, Capt. Eascand, with orders to bring Major Fraser and certain reinforcements to Colonel Whitmore’s aid with all possible despatch. Major Fraser is particularly well acquainted with part of the country, and it will be remembered that during the last expeditionary campaign on the East Coast, he greatly distinguished himself. On his arrival it is understood that he and his force will immediately follow the fugitives. Captain Biggs is believed to be considerably in advance of the enemy. Little difficulty, it is expected, will be experienced in overtaking the fugitives, as from the

nature of the country they can only travel slowly, in consequence of their being so much encumbered with baggage. They will also be impeded by their women and children travelling with them. Their baggage, provisions, &c., the proceeds of the wholesale plunder of the schooner Rifleman, must be considerable, as the fugitives have only these provisions to supply them in their retreat. It is regarded as certain that they will be speedily overtaken, and Colonel Whitmore, Major Fraser, and Captain Biggs, with a determined and active force, will doubtless give a good account of the renegades. SUPPOSED MURDERS. Some of the natives now say that two pei'sons were actually murdered by them at the Chatham Islands in the melee which pi’eceded the seizure of the Rifleman, and their departure from their place of imprisonment. [This statement conflicts with that repeatedly made by the Maoris to the chief officer of the schooner Rifleman, on their passage to the East Coast : it is possible the statement may be unfounded.] Great excitement prevails here with regard to the whole affair, and the probable result of the field operations now in progress. Monday, July 26. A despatch was received here on Saturday night from Captain Deighton, R.M.,

at Wairoa, to the .effect that Capt. Richardson had been stationed at Te Reinga to intercept the fugitives. A half-caste who arrived at Wairoa, reports that a skirmish had taken plpce at Whenuakurai, near Reingi, between the rebels and Captain Richardson. He reports one man killed on our side, and that three were seen to fall on the side of the Maoris. It was supposed that the fugitives had lost many more. One Hauhau had been taken prisoner. Neither party gave way. Iheka Wonga (a chief] had gone to aid Captain Richardson’s party. Friendly Maoris, under Captain Richardson, bolted as soon as the first shot was fired. Nothing has been heard from Lieut.Colonel Whitmore. The weather has been very fine for the whole of last week; but the ranges were covered with snow. A heavy rain set in on Saturday, and a fierce S.E. (south east) wind. The rivers Ngaruroro, Tukituki, and Meanee, were very much swollen, and all the flat country was under water. It is feared a heavy loss will accrue to the settlers in stock and other property, but as yet communication is impossible. Wednesday, July 29. The mail has arrived here from Wairoa, and the circumstances connected with recent firing and skirmish previously reported by the half-caste, have been explained as follows : The Goverdmcnt force under Westrupp and Wilson number 100 strong, which had been sent out to intercept the runaways, met and opened lire upon them. The lire was returnep by the runaways with some effect, one white man and one native being Idled on our side, and several wounded. The Government party ultimately broke and lied to the bush, leaving 80 horses, and part of their provisions, clothing, and accoutrements in the hands of the Huuhaus. The Hauhaus then advanced upon To Reinga, en route for Waikaremona, but were met at the former place by Richardson’s force, when a skirmish ensued and the friendlies tinder Richardson all bolted, as soon as the tirst shot was fired. The remainder of his force seem, however, to have made a stand, as one llauhau chief was taken prisoner, who had in his possession the horse belonging to Captain Wilson, who as before noted, was defeated in the previous skirmish. It is reported that a friendly chief had gone over to the Hannans, betraying all our plans, and given full information of our numbers to them. Ihaka Wanga pushed on to Wairoa to Richardson’s, and had arrived there on Saturday. Other volunteers are going from Napier to the front. The Hauhaus are jammed in by the flooded rivers, and cannot move freely. Nothing has been heard yet from Wairoa as to the movements ot Whitmore and Biggs. The country here is still much flooded, but the damage done has been less than anticipated. It is considered a great shome that the s.s. Wellington, with mails, went on to Auckland. The s.s. Lord Ashley came to an anchorage.