The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1868. THE WAR ON THE EAST COAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 254, 26 October 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1868. THE WAR ON THE EAST COAST.

The Hawke's Bay Herald of Tuesday last describes the 'situation' in that district as being most threatening. The Hauhaus who hud murdered Karaitiaua and his party had entered the Wairoa district, the military settlers had been called in, aud an early attack on the parfc of the enemy was looked for. Early on Sunday, the 18th instant, despatches were received from the officer commanding, dated ou the previous day, to the effect that Te Kooti had advanced upon Maru-maru, two or three miles beyond the military settlement; that his party was advancing upon the town by the right bank of the river, while Te Warn, at the head of his people and a number of Urewaras, was approaching it from the other side; that a large party from Waikato were co-operating with Te Kooti; aud that parfc of their scheme was a simultaneous attack upon Wairoa and Poverty Bay. Much anxiety was expressed for reinforcements, and urgeut requests forwarded for a steamer, in order that the women aud children might be removed. Immediately on receipt of this intelligence Mr M'Leau, acting ou his own responsibility — the telegraph not beiug at work — chartered the Star of the Soutb, which had arrived from Auckland the day before, and having ascertained from Captain Wray, the officer commanding the detachmeut of the .18th regiment stationed iu Napier, that without orders he could not move a mau ■of his force, sent for the chiefs of Heretaunga and not without difficulty — for Ihey reasonably objected at such a time to leave their own pas defeuceless — arranged with them that 100 men should be ready for embarkation the next morning.

At a very early hour on the following Monday morniug the Government gunboat St. Kilda- arrived at Napier, most opportunely, bringing the lion J. C. Richmond, and a small addition fco the force (12 or 13 meu), already serving under Captain Tuke.

Later in the same morning further despatches from Wairoa reached Napier, dated on the previous day. Owiug lo the near approach of the fanatic army and the impossibility__of defending two positions, Cfiptaiii' Tuke -had evacuated the block.htfusef and fallen back upon Clyde, taking with him all the military settlers, who thus, in all human probability, saw the last of the smiliug fields which their industry had created. Soon after, the enemy forded the river afc Maru Maru, ia the very heart of the settlement; crossed the Scamperdowu Creek, and took position on a hill called Waingongora, commanding the right bank of the river. Information had also beeu received that Te Waru, having collected his force afc Waikaritakeke, was not .far distant, somewhere among the hills, and that a third party iutended coming down the river iu canoes, the object evidently being to organise a simultaneous attack from different quarters.

At 2 p.m. on Monday, arms, ammunition and stores haviug been shipped, together with 120 native allies, uuder Tareha, Renata, and Henare Tokomona, both steamers left Napier, the St Kilda conveying Messrs Richmond and M'Lean, aud Capt. Sfc George, who gives his assistance to Capt. Tuke, and they were expected to reach Waori the same evening. The Star ofthe South would, if needful, after discharging her passengers and cargo, take down the women and children fco Napier.

Mr Richmond and Mr M'Lean, after landing, would reembark on board the St Kilda, and steam up the coast in order to obtain the services of 300 of theNgatiporous, our old allies uuder Mokana and Ropata.

It cannot be denied that the situation is very critical, as most probably the attack would have commenced on Monday morning. There are 100 to 150 Europeans all armed, but unfortunately, uearly all untrained; tbey have the advantage however of possessing a really good officer, iu whom they have every confidence. — Capt. Tuke — and there is a good earthwork wliich as a place of refuge, may be deemed impregnable, but it does not commaud any part of the township of Clyde and will therefore be of no use as a protection to property. Much anxiety was felt at Napier, that relief should reach the residents at Clyde before the commencement of the attack, so that by thus nipping this risiug in the bud otherwise troublous times may be averted.