REPORTED FIGHT NEAR OPOTIKI.

New Zealander, Volume XXIV, Issue 2603, 14 February 1866, Page 3

REPORTED FIGHT NEAR OPOTIKI.

Mr. \V. Mair, Resident Magistrate at Taupo, and Mr. T. H. Smith Civil Commissioner at Maketu, arrived in the 'Queen,' on Saturday,* from Maketu, via I'aufanga. They left the former place at a late hour on Wednesday night, and they state that shortly previous to their departure a report reached them from Opotiki that an attack had been made on the native stronghold by the Waikato militia and our native allies, which had been completely succesful ; that the pa or pas hail been taken without loss to us ; and that a number of the rebels had been taken prisoners. The report was brought to Maketu by a European named Hillman, who was sent for by Mr. Smith ami Mr. Mair, but who did not come to them. It is possible that these events, or something like them, may have taken place, but we are not inclined to put implicit trust iu the story. Iu the event of a ti.fht, it might have been expected that some of the officers at Opotiki would have instantly communicated with Mr. Smith or Mr. Mair at Maketu ; and another reason for doubt is that Colonel Lyons had resolved to wait the return of the ' Sturt' with the company of the Ist Waikatos which had been escorting the Maori prisoners to -Auckland, before assuming theoffeu>ive —Daily Southern Cross.