The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1868.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 237, 6 October 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1868.

LATEST FROxM THE FRONT. By the arrival at Wellington, on Friday : evening, of the p.s.^Sturt from Waaganui, we are placed in possession of the followingLl etter from the Patea correspondent of the Wanganui Times, published as an Extra on the previous day : — Patea, September 30. I fear you will consider me a bird of ill omen ; during the present month I have sent you nothing but disastrous intelligence. I have now to inform you that Manawapou has been [abandoned, but that is not the worst of it. When the escort was on duty to-day, on their way between this and Manawapou, they were attacked by a strong ambuscade of Maories, and after a sharp fight, Trooper Smith was shot dead. Our fellows fought bravely, as our troopers always do. They brought off their comrade, and tried to bring away some of the dead Maories, as trophies of victory, but the officer iu charge would not endanger the lives of his men by allowing them to dismount for such a purpose. Every settler's house at and around Manawapou has been burnt to tbe ground; they are now heaps of ashes. The following are the principal sufferers :—Hurtzell's house and hotel ; Hamilton, Christy, Patterson, Morgan, McCulloch, Maxwell, Eytoun, Stent, Crawley, Ball, Carey, Hankins, &c, &c. In fact we are now hemmed in at Patea, and every moment expect to see Mr Booth's house and the Court-bouse in flames. Thanks to Col. Haultain and the Government for the ruined misery brought upon this district. We may hold Patea so long as a strong force can be kept here in a state of siege. The Maori is about to start, so I must cut short. i Mr Booth, the Resident Magistrate at Patea, was a passenger by the Sturt, and came down to Wellington for the purpose | of communicating with the Government j on the state of affairs at Wanganui. Mr i Booth states, says the Advertiser of Friday last, that on the previous Wednesday evening, Tito Kowaru and his forces had not crossed the Patea. In anticipation of the rebel chieftain crossing the Patea, and occupying a position on the Waitotara river, the Wanganui friendly natives (in number about 300) have reoccupied the post at Wareroa, and are endeavoring to do the best they possibly can to protect the district and secure the support of the Waitotara natives. When Col. M'Donnell heard of Tito Kowaru's retrograde movement, consequent on his abandonment of his intention to attack Wanganni, he at once countermanded the order for the militiamen to march to the Waitotara, and ordered the natives to push on for the Patea with the least possible delay. Upwards of 200 of them started on Tuesday, and about 100 more on the following day. A despatch had been forwarded to Major Fraser, ordering him to remain at Patea, strictly watch the river, and, if possible, cut off Tito Kowaru's retreat. Should Tito linger by the way, M'Donnell and the Wanganui natives may yet succeed in giving a good account of him. Tito Kowaru was at Hukatere, opposite Kakaramea, on the 28th ultimo, with all hja men, women, and children. He had

been at Monutahi the previous day, at Paroone's whare. He probably expected to induce all the Pakakoki natives to join him by making this move, and perhaps thought that we might again retire if he threatened our rear, forgetting that Patea is supplied by sea —a means of communication that he cannot intercept. The post at Kakaramea has been strengthened.