POVERTY BAY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume II, Issue 473, 7 December 1868, Page 2

POVERTY BAY.

(From the Hawke's Bay Herald Corres-

pondent.)

28th November.

From reliable sources, I have obtained the following details respecting the unfortunate affair of yesterday : — The transport party had breakfast at Pututahi, where a depot had been formed. Pututahi is rather less than half way .^between here and the front. The ..party consisted of twenty-four men; of whom nine were Europeans, the rest natives* the whole were in charge of SergeantMajor Butters, an.\ experienced veteran, formerly of Yon Tempsky's corps—-a ;sober, trustworthy man, who, ."if.merit-was a passport topromotion, would long agb have received a commission. Aboui half the party

started at 7 a.m., leaving directions for the remainder, who were then saddling, to follow up It is said that yesterday, and for a day or two previously, the natives had shown considerable reluctance to proceed unless Europeans led the way; and upon this occasion the natives left at the depot delayed their departure on various frivolous pretexts. Sergeant-Major'Butters and his party had proceeded five miles, when Mr Robert Goldsmith, who was somewhat in advance, saw a body of men, numbering between 50 and 60, advancing. He halted, and waited until he had satisfied himself as to the character of the approaching force, when he galloped back to inform Sergt.-Major Butters, who ordered his men to fall back upon the depot, where it was his intention to make a stand, in order to save the ammunition,, provisions, &c. In attempting ?to reach that place, Sergt.-Major Butters and his party —12 men in all—had a narrow escape • the enemy, being much better mounted, gained rapidly upon our people, who were encumbered with, packs, which they were obliged to throw away. The natives bolted at once to the depot at Pututahi, for nothing could induce them to face the advancing foe. Arriving at the depot some time in advance of Sergt.Major Butters and the nine Europeans, they communicated their fears to the natives there, who had not yet* started for the front. All the natives at once fled, leaving the few Europeans to defend the defenceless depot —not even a temporary ditch or bank having been dug at Patutahi for the protection of the valuable stores collected there.

The few Europeans arrived at the depot to find it deserted. They were hotly pursued, the enemy at one time being within thirty yards of them. They were obligad to continue their way, as it was impossible for nine men to withstand fifty or sixty in the open:—there being nothing better in the shape of protection than a tent at Pututahi. The enemy followed••*our. men several times from that place, as far as Pukeamo, where, behind a rotten fence, Sergt.-Major. Butters drew up his men and faced the enemy, who, after a little flourishing about, thought fit to withdraw to Pututahi, in order to secure their plunder. 16,000 rounds of ammunition have fallen into the enemy's hands, with a considerable supply of provisions, and a few horses, which, can be illspared, at the present time, owing to the scarcity of those animals. The result of this great misfortune is, that the enemy, who, there is reason to believe, were short of ammunition, are now well, supplied, whilst our forces are all but entirely without either provisions or ammunition. Our communication is cut off with the Front, and should the enemy get in rear of our allies, tbey will be at his mercy, cut of as they are from all supplies.

Government is undoubtedly the primary*cause of this disaster. Had the men detained by Major Lambert, in accordance with Government instructions directly antagonistic to those of Mr M'Lean, arrived here a day or two a»o, a blow must have been dealt which would have effectually settled the East Coast difficulty and a vengeance would have been achieved, the intelligence of which would have resounded from one end of this island to the other. At that time time the enemy—all but surrounded, short of ammunition, taken by surprise, with no means of escape left, except at the expense of their ill-gotten plunder—might have been crushed by the superior force which Mr M'Lean vainly endeavoured to bring to bear against them.

2 p.m.—SO men (half Europeans, half natives) have just started to reopen communication with the Front, Captain Tuke in charge. They carry the 24-pounder with them. I imagine the cohorns would be of more service, as they are more portable.

9 p.m.-—Messenger arrived with despatches from Wairoa, bringing the pleasing intelligence that the Tuparoa friendlies may be expected here in a day or two.

29th November. 2 a.m.—Sergeant-Major Butters. arrived from Patutahi, for ammunition for the Front. Communication has been re-opened by the arrival of the chief Tamihana at Patutahi. All well at the Front. Mr Butters will convey provisions to Patutahi, for transmission to the Front, where they are scarce : he reports one of the enemy found lying dead (shot through the head) at Patutahi, also another man of the enemy's killed, |.m a different direction. These men must have been killed when the nine Europeans of the transport party held the enemy in check on I the 27th. Everyone here believes that the late capture of ammunition and stores effected hy the enemy was brought about hy information forwarded to the enemy. That there are spies and traitors amongst the. natives, many of whom have relatives amongst the enemy, I have no doubt. Every movement made by the enemy since he arrived, has evidently been guided by intelligence received from us; and Ido not see how it can be put a stop to, as detection is difficult in the extreme. - 12 p.m.—Ahuriri arrived. No news from the front. Escort party have not yet returned. Te Kooti's death wants confirmation. Reinforcements arrived—more expected.