LATEST NATIVE NEWS

Colonist, Volume XIII, Issue 1288, 28 January 1870, Page 4

LATEST NATIVE NEWS

From late Auckland papers, we copy the following telegraphic intelligence : —

Tatjbanga, January 19

A Native came in yesterday from Wakatnara, and reports that fifty of Te Kooti's mounted men who were at Okauwhea had gone on [ yesterday to Mutumata, on the Thames. Loefc evening (18th) news arrived from Maketu tliat about seventy of Te Kooti's people had attacked a pa at Ohineinutu, Eotorua, killing one man and taking two prisoners.

Cambbidge, January 20,

Native messenger arrived from Tapuaehararu with despatches from Macdonnell. Kemp and _ Topia joined him there. Thoy are md^jug this way in pursuit of Te Kooti. Will be at Wakamaru to-nigbt. They are about 800 strong. CambeidGE, January 21.

Te Kooti is in the bush at the head of a range gully, near Kuranui. It is not known whether ail his people remained with him. From his present position he has the choice of four roads to Tauranga and two to Kotorua. He lias expressed his intentions of returning to his old place (inland from Poverty Bay) for a time; returning to Tapapa to settle. A false report having reached him last night, through friendly natives, who have the run of the camp during day time, and learn everything that is going on, that the troops have already started from here in pursuit, it is more than probable that he will again be enabled to avoid capture and elude pursuit, as he has so often done before. As his position is overlooking all the approaches, it is possible that he may wait until he finds them in his front, and then quietly give them the slip. Unless a sharp look out is kept at Rotorua, it will bo the old story, off again

Hamilton, January 24

Colonel Moule, with a body of men, acting as convoy to provisions, has started to effect a junction with M'Donnell, if possible. Some fears are entertained lest he and his force may be cut off. Te Kooti is at the head of 600 men, and is building or has completed the building of a pa near Patatere. Unless Te Kooti should suddenly decide upon bolting, a collision must shortly take place.

The Southern Cross, of January 24th, states : — We believe no intelligence had been received up to a late hour last night confirmatory of the rumor that Te Kooti had retreated from Tapapa into the Botorua country. Last evening wo received the following telegram:—

" Hamilton, January 23, 9 p.m,

"The force marches from Cambridge to-morrow (Monday) morning to co-operate with McDonnell."

The Emoke's Bay Herald of the 21st instant gives the following as the latest native intelligence : — " Advices are to hand from Taupo, from which we learn that Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell promptly carried out the instructions he had received j that his force reached Tapuaeharuru on the 17th, and advanced towards Patetere on the 18th, having communicated with Kemp and Topia, and appointed to meet them at Waimahana, some twenty miles from where Te Kooti was when last heard of. As nothing has been heard from Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell since he left Tapuaeharuru, there is every reason to bolievo all is going well, and that Te Kooti's change of quarters has not given him tho security lie expected. Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell's forco, which is somewhere about 700 strong, should reach the heart of Patetere district to-morrow. We also learn from Taupo that the Arawa tribe are gathering at Ohinumutu, near Eotorua Lake, and only a short distanco from Hakaraia's quarters. The volunteers from tho Thames, Lieutenant-Colonel Eraser's Constabulary, tho Tauranga Militia, and the Arawa tribe, constitute a force, ere this launched against Te Kooti, which he is powerless to meet, even if supported, as is possible, by the Ngatiraukawas."

The same paper, of January 25th gives tho following : —" Mr. J. C. Firth has returned to Auckland from the Waikato, and wo believe intends to furnish to the Government a report on his recent interview with Te Kooti. We learn from a gentleman who returned /rom tho Waikato on Saturday last that the state of things existing there at present is deplorable in the extreme. The farms of the settlers have been abandoned, while the owners were obligod to serve in the miiitia, and the harvest is left to tho mercy of the weather. Herds of cattle are left to stray, and the milch cows are being spoilt by negleot, Our informant Bays that the WaikalQ wai just beginning to

assume the appearance of a thriving district, and the settlers were all hopeful and contented when the proximity of danger again called them from their homes, and the fruit of a year's industry were swept away. Truly the unfortunate outsettlers are deserving of our warmest sympathy. We ourselves received no telegram from the Waikato yesterday, and we understand that up to a late hour last night the authorities had not received any important intelligence."