LATE NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

Colonist, Volume XIII, Issue 1279, 28 December 1869, Page 3

LATE NATIVE INTELLIGENCE.

TOPIA IN PURSUIT OF TE KOOTI.

The Southern Gross oi December 22nd, says:— It was currently reported in town yesterday that Te Kooti had been reinforced to the extent of 400 men, and that he was in full march on Waikato. It will be l'ecollected that we stated Borne days ago that a report prevailed to the effect-that Te Kooti, had beeivconsiderably reinforced, but the statement was not then believed, and even now it requires confirmation. We believe we are correct in stating that the lion. Mr. M'Lean, Native and Defence Minister, ha 9 received no positive information of the reported reinforcement, and Lewis Hettit, who is now in town, attaches no credit whatever to the report. It is. believed that the only source from which Te Kooti could be reinforced is from the body of Ureweras who some time ago deserted his stand, and of whom Rowi undertook to take charge. Telegrams were received from the Waikato yesterday reporting that Tppia and Kemp at,the head of 600 warriors had reached the Upper Wanganui in " pursuit of Te Kooti." Their action is said to have been opposed by Topene Mamaku, who, it is Baid, had expressed a deeire to induce Tito Kowaru to form a faction with Te Kooti. It is said, however, that at a subsequent time he modified his views to some extent. The same paper of December 23rd, also states:— We understand that the news as to Te Kooti and his movements which has recently been published is not regarded by the authorities as at all such as need cause alarm or uneasiness. It is not believed that Te Kooti intended to make any attack; but, what-, ever may be his intentions, he and his followers are thoroughly hemmed in by the Colonial forces and friendly natives. At the receipt of latest advices, Te Kooti had not crossed into the Ngatimaniapoto country, and it is believed that his followers are not numerous. The next advices from the "Waikato are looked for at Auckland with considerable interest.