THE WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1873, 17 January 1870, Page 5

THE WAIKATO.

J THE EUROPEANS WAKNED BY THE KING. |EEWI AND 200 NftATIMANIA- , POTO IN PUBSUIT OF TE ' KOOTI. [By Electric Telegraph.] i (FROM orß OWN COIIBESPONDENT.) Alkxandea, January 15, 12.10 p.m. Tawhiao and M anuhiri have given notice to the Europeans to be on the alert at Orakau and our frontier settlements, which require to be strictly guarded, as Te Kooti mentions Orakau and Te Kuiti as two places he will attack. Tawhiao, on his part, will fight Te Kooti should he attack Te Kuiti, Rangatoto, or Maungatautara. Eewi has started with 200 Ngatimaniapoto in pursuit of Te Kooti, and is expected to assist Kemp, and surround Te Kooti, if possible. Te Kooti's supposed force is 400 men.

A telegram received in town on Saturday morning stated that Tc Kooti was in the vicinity of Cambridge, and that he had taken possession of one of Mr. Wm. Buekland's runs. Te Kooti's force was supposed to be occupying Paparama and Wheti Wheti; and the news from Tauranga was so far correct, that a detachment of his cavalry had actually visited Kaeinai, but more with a view of scouting than of making any actual attack. This troop had, however, rejoined the main body. Three natives had been seized by the rebels, one of whom, on giving information as to the stafe of our forces, and describing our means of defence, was allowed to depart; the other two were detained as prisoners, but managed during the night to effect their escape, and brought this information into Cambridge. An attack on this post was by some considered imminent, and the out-settlers had come in.

Later telegrams place Te Kooti and his force of some four hundred malcontents, at Ta Papa, on the Waiho, about twenty miles from Cambridge. TTroni his present position, the road is open either to Tauranga, or the Waikato settlements; but there is as yet no news of any movements on his part of any seriously contmplated aggression. In the mean time it might not be amiss to hare all our volunteer cavalry warned, for active service; they muster very strong, 'and. one day's forced march on the part of the Waiukn and Mauku force, and two days' of the other troops, would suffice to place them in front of the enemy, whom they could easily hold in check in the open Waikato country whilst reinforcements of foot were being hurried up. A telegram received by Mr. Brannigan late yesterday evening sent that gentleman out at once to the Hon. Dr. Pollen, but it not being considered to be of a reliable nature, no further action was taken in the matter.