BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2129, 1 December 1868, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

(fHOM OUR OW.V CORUESI'ONOENTS.) Wet.u noton, November 30th.

I am able to state, on unquestionable authority, that Mr Richmond, when visiting Poverty Bay a few days before the massacro, expressly pointed out to Major Biggs the folly of settlers at a distance from the redoubt sleeping in unprotee'ed houses ; and. ho Btrenuously urged that Captain Westrupp and Pareterie Pomtili should mako themselves secure in a stockade, as their place would be the first visited by any party of tho enemy advancing, as they seemed to be doing, from Puketapu by the usnal track.

Tho Lady Bird, although she left ostensibly for ITapier on Friday night, proceeded to Wiinganni, for the purpose of conveying from thence 250 of the Armed Constabulary, under tho command of Colonel AVhitmore, to Poverty Bay. Wo aro told that the position of the oncray in that neighbourhood affords an opportunity for striking » crashing blow,

and the Government expect a few days will see tho annihilation of To Kooti's force, when tho Constabulary will immediately return to Wanganui.

Tho forces on tho East Coast have been so disposed as to secure the various posts and means "of communication, while block-houses have been erected so as entirely to cover the towns. So soon as Colonel Whitniore returns* he will bo prepared to take tho field against Tito Kowaru, nnd in tho meantime our policy will be simply a defensive one at Wanganui. The Lady Bird has been laid up for the lnst six months, having been refused a passenger certificate, but no fears arc entertained as to her being thoroughly seaworthy for the trip. Mr M'Lean is said tohavourgedthat tho force should bo sent; but, when there, it is scarcely possible that it can accomplish all that is required of it in so short a time as is anticipated. Tho Blanche will probably proceed to Napier a3 early as posßiblo ; sho is tho ugliest vessel ever seen here.

Wo have no news from Wangamii, but can imagine that tho consternation of the inhabitants of tho district will to very great when they Cud the force at the Front, consisting of little over 400 Constabulary, thus reduced, and that they havo actually to depend on their own stout hearts and strong hands, as counselled by the Governor. There will be a great outcry, but we must hope for tho best. Captain Noakes, who succeeds Colonel Gorton in command of the Militia at Wanganui, is promoted to tho rank of Major. Tho third-class Militia were sworn in to-day. People's minds here are a good deal occupied in reference to tho public meeting to be held to-morrow. Tho following j aro stated to be the subjects of the reso- i lutiona to be proposed :—lst. Expression of sympathy. 2nd. Thanks to Mr M'Lcan and our allies on tho East Coast. 3rd. Tho making application to Australia for troops. On this last point it is probable that different opinions will be expressed. A Committee has been formed to arrange for the usual Caledonian games on New Year's Day. Tho latest intelligence from Napier states that the Ahuriri left yesterday at 1 a.m. from Poverty Bay, taking 10 Volunteers; i>nd returned this morning. The Armstrong gun was taken 12 miles inland. The forces were in good spirits. Tho bodies of two re' els, who were killed by tho .Europeans in the attack on tho party escorting powder, havo been found. Tho reinforcement sent to Wairoa will probably take up their position today. The result ia looked forward to with confidence. A messenger who arrived this afternoon from tho West Coast, reports that tho German pedlar is dead, and that tho Manawatu Friendlies havo warned tho Bottlers in tho district that mischief is brewing. All the Volunteer Corps in the North Island are to be called out for active Bervice. A party of Otaki natives, who havo arrived from tho Waikato overland, report that the King party are quiet. The Rob Roy takes recruits up to Napier to-morrow.

Napier, November 30th. The actual less of ammunition in the late a'tack on the escort is stated to bo only eight kegs. Sixty Volunteers under the command of Captain Tanner, have started for tho Front in high spirits. The latest intelligence is that communication is again opened with the forces at the Front, aud that fighting is going on.