The Evening Herald. MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1869.

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 502, 11 January 1869, Page 2

The Evening Herald. MONDA Y, JANUARY 11, 1869.

Desertion.—A man named Peterson, » Swede, lately arrived from Otago, deserted from the Camp at Westmere a few nights ago, with arms and accoutrements. He was in the habit of th>-ear-ening to go over to the enemy, and it is supposed he has gone. We hope Tito frill,give him a very warm reception. Wahganoi Volunteer Cavalet.— A meeting of the members of the Wangwiui Volunteer Cavalry was held at the Jockey Club Hotel on Saturday evening, for the purpose of electing a Cornet Tbere were six candidates, and the ballot having been taken, the sergeant-major, Mr Robt. Hair, was elected by a large Majority. Sergeant Lockett was appointed; sergeant-major.

V The Hati-hatis in the Kat-Iwi DisOn Saturday the ham and outhouse* belonging to Mr Baker were fired, evidently by the Hau-haus, the smoke

hieing seen from the Camp at Westmere.

When Mf-^Baker's dwelling-house was burnt some time ago,,the barn and two three houses were left standing, and

Saturday was chosen to render the work

;jof deßtruction complete. As soon as the ?**oke was seen, 100 men were ordered nnder arms at Westmere. The furze and ferni which had also been lighted, continued to burn all day yesterday. '

Mb Edwin Woon and tke Colonial .Government.—Mr Edwin Woon has received the copy of a despatch sent by Col. Htnltain to the Commanding Officer Golonel Lyon. The purport of it is that if Mr Woon cannot «ive a satisfcctory explanation about his conduct relative to a letter signed " Kepa" in the Timet, he is to "be dismissed from the Wariganui Volunteer Cavalry. "Capt." Pooth, no doubt, made his secret report.

to the Government, and here is tin

result. . Kow the Government must • kHow, that Mr Woon has been seeking his discharge from the cavalry for some time, and has obtained it. The Government Mill find many members of the

cavalry willing to commit such offences,

If they are to be dismissed in consequent ''^'>-jhe Government appear very obli ing, \

Native Meeting at Taranaki.— At the native meeting in New Plymouth in reference to the action of the Kins natives in the present war, the Taranaki, Herald says :—During the time the Civil Commissioner was at the meeting he had several conversations with More, who said that Titokowaru would have no assistance from the" Maori King ; that he (More) had been requested by the Maori King to enquire into the cause of the action taken by '• itokowaru, which he considered was unjustifiable, and he had come for the last time to take away all the people belonging to the Waikato. He also added that as soon as the business of the meeting was over he should return home by way of New Plymouth. With reference to Titokowaru Patara said—" If any attempt was made to cross Omuturangi with a war party, that he anfl his people would oppose him." Royal Irish.—The two companies of the 18th Royal Irish, which have been stationed in this Province for the past year, took their "departure in the Rangatira on Tuesday last, having been relieved by a detachment of the same regiment from Auckland. The men, since they have been here, have gained the respect of the community by their uniform good conduct and sobriety, and they leave behind them that which will long remain as a memento of their energy and good works. Many will remember that near the entrance to the|;Catholic Chapel there used to be an unsightly bank of earth, which they may have noticed has been removed, and that a green, planted with cypress trees, now delights the eye. This has been the work of these men, and the improvef.they have made to that part of the 'certainly doserves a record in our i. —Taranaki Herald. lonial Force between Wanganui Patea.—Colonel Lyon, in addressing the men a few days since at Westmere, said, " There are as many of you as could eat Titokowarau and his whole force." If it is safe to infer anything, in the midst of so many startling events, the inference might be drawn from those words that an attack would soon be made on Titokowaru, in his stronghold. It was rumoured, some time ago, that the I force now at Westmere would be taken to Patea, for the purpose of destroying the crops of the rebels, and the report gained credence from the fact of a large quantity of supplies being ordered to Patea. Colonel Lyon's intention is, we believe, to'move to Nukumaru in a few days, when fighting will commence in earnest. The forces between here and Patea might be estimated as follows :—

Armed Constabulary, European contingent and Carlyle Rifles, 750; Veteran Volunteers on pay, 50; Wanganui Cavalry, 80 ; Kai Iwi Cavalry, 40 ; Maori Mounted Corps, 60; Grand total of forces ready for active operations, 980. The men who arrived lately at Westmere are receiving three and a half hours of drill daily, and are progressing so fast that another week will see them sufficiently advanced to be moved to the front. May we not expect something great from the materials we have already

got?