OPOTIKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1314, 1 February 1868, Page 6

OPOTIKI.

(FliOM ODll OWN COUBEIPONDENT.) The forci! mentioned in ray last letter as being on the point of starting Jo endeavour to cut off tho rebel*, consisted uf 55 rank and file, co:nposed of men of the Opotiki Volunteers, Hangers, first-class Militia, undbr the command of Captain Skene. They proceei'ied down the beach in the direction of tho uhow«i, mid halted for the ni»ht. On the morning of the 25th they perceived numerous traces of wher.a the rebels had been, and there is not tho e'.ightpst doubt Unit they were not fortunate enough to catcli eight of the rebels. The monument ertcted by the Aruwas over the gravo of Wi Popntit, the Arawa mailman, v?ho was murdered in June last, was found to ho partly destroyed, and the remains have beea brought into camp. This act of sacrilege, will, no doubt, greai'y incense the -Arawas against them, and malio them wisli to take the field and avenge bathinuru-r :.nd iusult. Another expedition consisting of 70 non-cimmis-sionod officera and men, with Captain Mair and Ensign Jiuihton, the whole under the comin/ind of Maj.ir bt. John, and accompanied by Dr. Oliver, h-.ft ramp at 3 p.m., prepared for a two d(ys" m-irch, but on the 27th they returned without having been more fortunate than their brethren. i They could truce them for n_il«e, and saw plainly I whero, on each hill and ruoge, they had had

their outposts posted ; but. I suppose, on the near approach of our party, had skedaddled up the river towards their own country. On tho i!8:Ii inst.. Mr. Robert Blacic returned to this settlement, taking advantage of an fidcort that li.id gone down with MJijor Mair, th« KcsHont Magistrate, lie reports having seen a body of rebels, to tho number of one hundred and fifty, close to the Ohawai. Tho cutter Whitby was to have left here this evening:, but has bften d tained by the Officer Oomnvindin.' f;r twenty-four hours, to wait the return of Mujor Itiir, and take the latest despatches for tho Government. The whole of tho Militia—Opotilii Hangers, »nd P.B.V. Cuviilrv Corp 3 are retained on pay, and arc kopt well employed.