(BY BLECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2223, 22 March 1869, Page 2

(BY BLECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

(FROM OUB OWN CORHESI'ONDENTH.)

WBtxraoTON, March 21st.

The Wanganui Times states that the bco at Fleurs has died of his wounds, making the total killed in the engagement at Otoia fire—viz., Constables Bath, Stevenson, Smith, Gundry, an<* Fleurs.

Nothing haa yet been heard of the xeault of Kemp's pursuit of'the fugitives.

One of the women captured states that Tito Kowaru was not present at the engagement, having left with 60 men for Taranaki a few days before it took place. She also says that the Waitotara natives only joined the rebels under compulsion, while they occupied their territory, that they declined to follow Tito Kowaru across the river, and that they were glad when he left.

Major Noake has issued the following notice:—" Tito" Kowaru's force having been broken up by Colonel Whitmore, a portion thereof has returned to Waitotara. That district, therefore, ia_consldercd unsafe, and I am instructed by Colonel Whitmore to warn settlers of the danger attending journeys in the district M Email unarmed parties." .

Telegrams received by the Government confirm the report that WyDie has shot the murderers •£ his son. Just before the notice oE the with-

drawal of his powers as Government agent was telegraphed to Mr Bl'Lean, hn had sailed with Ropata in a schooner for some unknown destination without communicating with the Government,

The Duke of Edinburgh is expected to arrive here about the 20th'sinst.

The Governor has conferred the colonial order of valour upon Constable Hemn* Kepa to Ahuriri for gallant conduct in the attack upon tho enemy's position; at Moturoa on the 7th JNovember last. The following are tho circunxstances under which his bravery was shown :—The storming party failing to find an entrance to the pah, 'passed round to the rear of the work. Conceiving that the effecting an entrance into tho pah was what was desired, Kepn. climbed tho palisades of tho fortification alone. In doing this ho was shot througn, tho lungs, but nevertheless ho managed to walk out of tho action and brought bis arms into the camp.

The order has also been conferred on Constables Solomon Block and Benjamin Biddle for gallant conduct at the siege of Ngatapa, on tho Bth January last^ under tho following circumstances :—The oxtremo right of our lines was on a scarped, stony ridge, commanded by the enemy's rifle pita and works, and a lodgment was only effected by cutting out standing room with pioks. The enemy made several determined sorties against this point, and it became extremely difficult to hold the position, which wan essential to tho success of our operations. A party of 12 volunteers were at length placed there, and succeeded with some loss in. holding the peaition till tho end of tha siege, having to repel several resolnta attacks. Black and Biddlo were moat conspicuous for bravery on the occasion.

Njlmkr, March 21st A telegram in Saturday's Herald was tho only intimation received by Mr M'Lean of tho Gazette notice cancelling his appointment. Tho feeling of indignation is very goneral, and the public confidence ia greatly on tho decrease. Last evening Auckland datca to the 18th woro received by tho Star of the South. The steamer Tauranga haa arrived at Auckland from Tauranga, with 76 women, and children. To Papa is Baid to bo surroundod by & largo force of Hauhatis under Kereopa. To Kooti has retreated from Whokatane, and. is supposed to have gone to join Koreopo.