LATEST NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

West Coast Times, Issue 944, 1 October 1868, Page 3

LATEST NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

(From the Lyitciio.i Times.) Four steamers arrh'S'd from the North yesterday morning — the i'hoibe, Lord Ashley, Beautiful Star, and Storm Bird —and we have, consequently, a plethora of news., The fo'lowing are the most important items: — rOVKRTY BAY NATIVES JOIXISG ESCAPED

Napier, Sept. 19, 5 p.m. Intelligence ie£to band that Poverty Bay natives were joining the escaped prisoners. No numbers officially stated — only surmised.

Another statement from Auckland is that the escaped prisoners are expected to arrive at the King's place, Tokangamuta. For what purpose not stated. It should be understood that this intelligence" requires confirmation. There is reason to apprehend hostilities in Ilawke's" Bay, at preseilt at leadt. AUTHENTIC AND HUMILIATING FKOM TUB TROUT. Patea, 17th Sept , 1868. The correspondent of the Times writes : — The p.!j. Sturt leaves for Wanganui in an hour or two, so I send yaw. the following intelligence, which you may rely upon. Tito Kowaru has taken up a position at Tiaporehenui. within a little over halt* a mile of Turn Tuni Moaki redoubt, on the edge of the Lush, and is strengthening his position. He has been joined by our socalled friendly chiefs Tito and Wheri Matangi with all their fighting men, and his foixe has been duly augmented by our friendlies.

Will you believe it, will the Parliament believe it, will the colony believe that the enemy having placed himself in a trap, instead of taking the advantage of fighting him in the open field, Colonel Haul tain has solicited — or proposed to solicit his forbearance ! ! That I have every reason to believe is. the case. I am told that yesterday he had a consultation with Tauroa — another friendly just on the point of following Tito and Wheri Matangi to join Tito Kowaru — and suggested to him that he should go and ask that cannibal not to cross the Tangahoi river, thus soliciting forbearance! ! ! lam told thiit Colonel Haultain has suggested to Colonel M'Donnell to withdraw from Waihi and all other outposts, and leave all the country beyond the the Tangahoi river in the hands of the enemy ! ! ! It is said that M'Donnell became furious, determine.! to make one blow and then resign, lie at once ordered Major Fraser and his men to the front, and with them the whole cavalcade including Colonel

Haultain, Colonel Whitmore, and Major Cuming started to-day for Waihi. We are all certain that M'Donhell will order an immediate attack, and that should Colonel Haultain insist upon preventing it he will at once retire in disgust. Should that be case look at tlfa result,. Our . outposts abandoned it would require a garrison of a thousand men to hold Patea, and cati the colony afford that and continue it for years to come? Mr who saw Colonel M'Donnell to-day,ijust before starting, hea'i'd him tell— — that he would either attack Tlttf KriwafU Qi' resign and leave Colonel Haultain to assmne 1 tlin te«pinsibility.

The p.s. Sturt takes down all the liquor seized in the Patea groggeries, but it is said that actions will be enteted against Colonel M'Donnell for closing them. SWiJRSWr's HOfj-ITi IJUBNKD BY TiliZ NATIVES. Waihi, Sept. 15, 18G8.

t have now to .inform you that Tito Kowaru iiaS crossed {lie Wrtingdugora and taken up a position at Tiaf.orcjheiiiiij near Turn Tiiru Mokai. Last night he sent out an ambuscade , to take post near or at Svreenfy*'' Hotel. . , on th& road to Patea, to shoot down any of our people that might ie passing by. The hotel Avas sir it up, and Mr Sweeney, I believe, at Manawapou. The scoundrels went in and carried away all the liquor and valuables, and then set fire to the hotel, which was soon burnt to the groi.iicl. The dwelling-house of Captain Morrison,- situated within about tbiity chains of Tura Turn Mokai, they also burnt down,- ,• •. .. „ r Captainj|M., who is at Patea; had a' good deal of property on the premises. Some of the men who behaved so badly on Sunday and left the camp, have not cilice been heard of. I have much to say but must dose as the messenger is about to start.

OTHER FAftTICUIiARB.

The Wanganui ChronicU contains some additional items of intelligence relative to tlis field force ;a't ;the Front.

It is anticipated that thp- force £r,om Hawke's Bay, under Major* Fraser, being composed of steady, well disciplined, wea' behaved men, very much superior to the raw levies, will be able to do much good service.

The gviieral character of the news is unpleasant, and it is stated the position of affairs lias become so critical, through one sriecies of mismanagement and another, tiiiit iW m'6'st likely thing seenis, to be that the whole force will hare to be coriceutrated on Patea. It is said that the rebels in considerable force have already shown themselves within sight of the township.