VICTORY BY THE FRIENDLIES UNDER COLONEL M'DONNELL.

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1254, 1 October 1869, Page 8

VICTORY BY THE FRIENDLIES UNDER COLONEL M'DONNELL.

[By Electric Telegraph.^ Napier, Sept, 25. Te Kooti's position is about seven miles from Botoaira. Colonel M'Donnell would attack when the native reinforcements, under Kemp, sent from Wanganui, reached him. Kemp was expected there the night Mr. Locke, the Besidenfc Magistrate, left. The natives are in good heart. Mr. Locke has satisfactorily concluded everything about the goldfield. Napier, September 27. The Government Agent here, in a despatch from Colonol M'Donnell, has received information of an engagement at Taupo, between Colonel M'Donnell's' force and the rebels. Te Kooti, with a force from 250 to 300 strong, attacked Tookano, one of the positions occupied by our force, on Saturday. Severe fighting took place, which resulted iv our force (which consisted of 249 Natives and two or three European officers) defeating the enemy with considerable loss, estimated at ihirty. Seven dead bodies fell into our hands. The enemy fled. Col. M'Donnell says the enemy has plenty of ammunition, that he fired 2000 rounds, and there were found 30 and 40 l'ounds of Enfield ammunition in some of the pouches taken. Seven of our forces (natives) were wounded, which were all our casualties. All appear to have behaved well. The Wanganuis, under Kemp, had not yet reached M'Donnell's position, and a portion of his force at Eotoaira, including the Armed Constabulary was not engaged. Eotoaira is eight miles from Tookano. No. 2 Division of the Constabulary had also not arrived atthetime of the engagement, but was close up. A general attack was to be made on the enemy to-day (Monday).