DISPERSION OF RANGIHAEATA'S FORCES.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 65, 29 August 1846, Page 1

DISPERSION OF RANGIHAEATA'S FORCES.

H. M. S. Castor, having on board His Excellency the LieutenantGovernor, arrived on Sunday evening last, bringing the important intelligence of the successive occupation of Rangihaeata's strongholds, — the capture of some, and the dispersion of the rest of his followers. The troops from Sydney arrived at Wellington early in August, and were immediately employed in cooperating with the troops already engaged. Rauparaha has been taken into custody, on suspicion of secret connivance with Rangihaeata. We are not in possession of the particulars of his treachery, but we understand that he will be detained as a hostage. We shall allude to this subject hereafter. Eight of Rangihaeata's principal men have been taken, besides several others of less note. One of them, while on board the Calliope, attempted to overpower the sentry, and nearly succeeded in drawing the bayonet from his side belt ; he was, however, knocked down, and since then these prisoners have been placed in irons. H.M.S. Castor, arrived at Wellington on the 4th August. She had on board i new funnel for the Driver. The troops and native allies were scouring the bush, and it was expected ;hat Rangihaeata would be taken. The Driver was to leave for Auckand on the 31st.; we may, thereore, hourly expect additional inielligence. We have ascertained, from a private source, that the body of Na;ives from Wanganui, intended to •einforce Rangihaeata, consisted of 300 men, and that they probably were but the vanguard of a still stronger force. They came as far is Ohau, but the Ngatiraukawa latives would not allow them to )roceed. A large body of the Sgatiawa, from Waikanae, had proleded to Otaki in support of their ends and allies, who will most :ely be compromised by their opisition to the Wanganui reinforcegnts. It is feared, that a general ir between the Wanganui natives d Ngatiraukawa and Ngatiawa, ay be the consequence. We^xtract the following partiilars from the Wellington Indendent, which throw additional >ht on the narrative contained the annexed interesting official count.