NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 833, 24 October 1865, Page 3

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

LATER NEWS FROM WHATATANE.

FIGHT AT WAIOHIKA,

TWENTY-FIVE HAU-HAUS KILLED.

THREE PAS TAKEN.

THREE SOLDIERS SHOT.

ESCAPE OF KEREOPA AND PATARA.

(From the New Zealanier, Oct. 11.)

The schooner Jane, Captain Faulkner, arrived from Opotiki, Tauranga, and Mercury Bay yesterday, ami brings important news from the former district.

On the sth instant, Captain M'Donald learned that at Waiohika the Hau-haus were assembled in a large pa about nine miles inland from Opotiki. He immediately, with a number of Maoris, went to cut off their retreat to another pa that was a short distance off, and upon arriving there he ordered two natives on horseback to Opotiki with despatches for reinforcements, and upon their arrival the rebels fired a volley upon them, but fortunately it fell short of the distance. Captain M'Donald and his men marched upon them and fired a deadly volley at the pa. The Hau-haus exchanged fire for fire, but without any harm. The flag of truce was then hoisted at the pa, and Capt. M'Donald and the soldiers entered it in a very cautious way. The Maoris in the pa were in great confusion, seemed like madmen, and while there were some of the natives in conversation the others were making their escape through holes that were in the walls of the pa. When the soldiers noticed them escaping, they pursued them, and while so doing the others made their escape to the next pa. After the natives had gone it was ascertained that there were ten killed lying on the ground, and also a Maori boy severely wounded. He prayed for mercy from the soldiers, and said that if they would spare him he would tell them the murderers of Mr. Fulloon and Captain Pringle. He was at once remored, where medical aid could be procured. The soldiers discovered a large quantity of Mr. Volkner's furniture, books, and other property, in a corner of the pa. Captain M'Donald and the soldiers marched to the second pa, and upon arriving hoisted the flag of truce, and the natives came out of the pa to hear what were the intentions of our forces. Capt. M'Donald informed them that he would allow them one hour to surrender their arms and take the oath of allegiance; if not then done, he would fire upon them. The Maoris returned to their stronghold without giving an answer, and after the time had elapsed Captain M'Donald ordered the flag to be taken down, and the rebels also took theirs down. After a few minutes the soldiers marched close to the pa, and the Hau-haus at once fired upon them. The soldiers returned the fire, and the Maoris retreated to the pa that was situated about half a mile from the one they had taken. They marched to the pa, and found they had killed fifteen of the enemy. They took one. native prisoner, who, it was afterwards learned, was implicated in the murder of Mr. Fulloon.

The troops then marched to the third stronghold, and found that the pa was empty, the rebels having made their escape. It was rumored that Kereopa and Patara were in the three engagements, and that they had gone to Cape Eunaway. The soldiers took an immense number of pigs, also a large quantity of potatoes, &c, that the rebels had left behind them.

The prisoner that was taken in the second pa was sent on board the schooner Mavis to be taken to Whakatane. While on the passage they noticed a small waterman's boat, and they immediately went to pick it up, and when they got alongside they found that there were six Europeans in it, two soldiers and four bushmen. Upon enquiry they learned that they had stolen the boat from Mr. Gr. Strong, of Mercury Bay, and were going to Napier ; but the natives took them to Whakatane, where they were to be tried. There were two soldiers killed in the taking of the first pa, also one wouuded in the thigh, and he died before medical aid could be got.

tried,