WANGANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 929, 18 September 1869, Page 5

WANGANUI.

(FROST OUR OWE CORRKSPONDENT.)

September 6th. Any hope t cherished by the people of this district, 'and of the colony generally, that all Native disturbance was at an end, is likely to prove fallacious. Already Te j Kooti, disgraced by the King, and a fugiI tive from the Waikato, is turning his attention in this direction. He is probably ; influenced in this course by Tito Kowaru, who appears to have allied himself to his rebel compeer. Some 70 or 80 miles up the Wanganui river, as the crow flies, but many more by following the windings of the Btream, ia the outpost of the Wanganui tribe. Tho district is in a general way called Taupo, but the wide significance of the term is rather misleading, seeing that Taupo may be said to comprise a third of the North Island. The place where the vanguard of the Kupapas are at present postad is known on the Hot Springs. They have within the last week fallen back on this place, where they have built a couple of pahs, and while preparing to defend them against To Kooti, havo sent urgent appeals for assistance to their friends in tho lower settlements, and Wanganui, as also to the Government. To thoir support « Native force is reported to have been despatched from Napier. A number of Wonganuis have proceeded up tho river, ana more are preparing to follow. It is not unlikely that a force of Constabulary will also bo located on tho Wanganui river ; as it is, tho wholo country between this and Wellington is without a single constable, whilo there is little doubt that To Kooti has designs upon the rich districts that Ho between. Overtures have been mode by tho robols to tho natives of Rangitikei and Manawatu to join them j but theso triboa boing stannoh King-men, wait for tho signal from Tokangamutu boforo they take any part in hostilities. As tho wind sets at present, it is not likely that the King will espouse tho cause of Te Kooti, to wnom the prospect of co-operation in the quarter indicated is consequently vory uncertain. The force with Te Kooti is reported as numbering closo upou 400 men. Many report* havo within tho lost few days been current conoerning tho movements of the robols, and tho damage they are inflicting on the property of the friendly natives.

" Someof iheie rumpurs/havo comefrom Auckland $ari& sxono'l ffdm I Wellington, but are alike -without. -foundation. No engagement has .yet taken place, ( but the news of one is daily expected. Meanwhile the 1 rich districts of Waitotara and Patea have, paL some 'measure, been recovering from their former desolation. The country between New Plymouth and :Wanganui does not now prpbably hold a single hostile native, and yet little or no security is felt. r The vantage ground occupied by the rebels in the interior gives them a terrible advantage in being able to strike swiftly and unexpectedly any of the coast settlements. Patea is still garrisoned by a division of Armed Constabulary; which has, however, "of late been greatly reduced in strength and otherwise " demilitarised." The detachment of Ngatiporous, formerly stationed there have moved up the cpuniry about 20 miles to occupy the reserves, which were before awarded to Tito Kowaru's hapu of Ngatiruanui out of the confiscated lands, and which ■ they have now forfeited by rebellion. The locality which has been chosen for the Ngatiporous is in the vicinity of the celebrated pah of Te Ngutu-o-te-manu, connected so disastrously with the history of the war. Bopata, the chief of Ngatapa notoriety, is in command of the Ngatiporus. The old position of Turo-turo-mokai, where 'the first surprise on our forces was effected by the rebels, is likely to be reoccupied by a detachment of Constabulary. , Under strength of these preparations a few settlers are preparing to return to their lands. The Waitotara block, lying between Patea and Wanganui, presenting as it does a more effectual guarantee of safety, has already been pretty numerously settled ; and the owners of property in that district have extracted a promise from the Government that the Waitotara natives will not be allowed to return to their lands on that block. The scheme for assisting the settlers who have lost heavily in the late war and who now claim compensation, does not seem to find favour among those most interested. It is questionable if any considerable portion of the LI 0,000 passed vnd available as loans on mortgage wi'l be taken up by the settlers. As, however, the project ia the best that could be procured them under the circumstances, they are not likely to be much sympathised with.