PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 40, 18 February 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

HAWKE'S BAY. The dv&rl&nd mail from Wairoa arrived at Napier, on the lst instant* On Sunday, 24th uit., Captain Spiller and a small mounted party started inland, in order, if possible, to determine the truth or otherwise, of reports prevalent as to the presence of Hauhaus in the district. Captain Spiller, the day before, called for Volunteers, without pay and rations, and all who had horses expressed their willingness to join. A number of natives, on being similarly asked, volunteered, and accompanied the expedition. Accompanied by Lieutenant Finlayson, Mr WorI gan, and Mr Preece, 25 Europeans and 15 natives, the party started. They found Felix Goulet all right, but he said that natives had driven half his sheep off his run, and that fires were constantly being seen id the direction of Waihi and Kiwi* On Monday the party reached Tukurangi and found there large potato cultivations, and fires still burning. Further on, the force came upon a large encampment, with fresh built huts and breakwinds, with indications that natives had just left. It was now raining heavily, but the force pushed on to the top of a steep hill near the Kiwi, which was found to be rifle pitted, with numerous tracks of fi&tives* A settlement iv the vicinity was also Visited, and found to have been recently evacuated* The force advanced to withia four miles of Waikare Mona Lake, but Captain Spiller did not think it prudent. With the very small force at his disposal^ to proceed farther. He returned on tho evening of the 29th, having been much pleased, we understand, with the general bearing of those under his command. It is supposed .that the natives, of whose presence so many indications were seen, were either thoser of Te Waru, or the party under Auaru Matete. On Thursday, the 4th instant, Colonel Whitmore, with the Arawas and a detachment of the mounted constabulary, made a careful reconnaisance. The Arawas threaded their way by one track and the mounted men by another— both of them very steep and difficult — and met together on the top of the spur opposite Wereroa pa, where the skirmish of the previous day had taken place. Not a native waa to be seen. The party moved along until they came to where the spur terminated in a sheer precipice, from which they had a view of the country for some distance* Eight at the foot of the precipice lay a small native village on a piece of open fern tend, and beyond were the bush and hills in a tumbled tangled mass, barring all progress save for sure-footed pedestrians. A number of horses, cattle, and sheep were quietly feeding around the whares ; the scene was a pretty rural picture, especially so considering that but yestereve the dun smoke of rifles, fired in mortal strife, had concealed it from viexr* There were no signs of human life, and it was hard to say whether any natives wera in the village or not. It would be well to know, however, and down the sheer descent went men and horses at the immi^ nent risk of their necks. Upon examination the whares were found deserted, and they were burnt sans ceremonie, but the cattle and horses prooved loot too tempt* ing to be left behind. Accordingly, with much labor and more noise — wading, sometimes swimming, in the river — a dozen horses and as many cattle were secured* A lot of sbeep were killed, roasted, and partly eaten, and the return to camp was graced by almost every man carrying a. leg of mutton or a live lamb. Successful so far, but the whereabouts of the enemy had not been ascertained.