IMPORTANT FROM THE FRONT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 535, 18 February 1869, Page 2

IMPORTANT FROM THE FRONT.

Wirihana, and Aperaniko have just come from the front, and report that an expedition, consisting of 100 natives and 100 Europeans, commanded by Major Kemp, returned yesterday from Putahi and Okutuku to Nukumaru, and he reported that both those positions were occupied

by the Hauhaus: found extensive cultivations at Putahi, which they partially destroyed. Saw the enemy's fire inland of Okutuku and Moumahaki, a great distance off in the bush. The smoke seemed to come out of a deep gully in the dense forest. Kemp's men intend returning to Putahi to bring away all the potatoes.

(From our Special Correspondent.) Camp Nukuinaru, Wednesday morning. About 11 p.m. a trooper came to our camp from W^ereroa, brin°-in°-the information that two men of the Armed Constabulary bad deserted from that place and" had stolen £5 from one of their comrades. Two troopers were immediately despatched to W ranganui, with orders to apprehend them. One was caught at the Okehu, and the other lodged in the guard-room in Wanganui. The decision of the general court-martial has not yet been read out on parade Eighteen pa^k-horses have started this morning for Wereroa to remove Lt.-Col. McDonnell's camp at Karaka. He is to camp a short distance on the other side of the Waitotara, and will not start till tomorrow morning at daylight; and should there be sufficient transport, No 7 division Armed: Constabularywill probably shift their quarters at the same time. I am sorry to say that the ambulance waggon conveys Lt.-Col. .St. John to Wanganpi today. He has never recovered the fall he received from his horse, and has latterly been exerting himself too much. Tbe. knee 'is much swollen, and is getting quite discolored. Eight men of No 7 A.C. have been paid off and discharged today from different causes. The road from Wereroa to Karakais progressing rapidly, and will probably be finished in the course of three or four days. It is necessarily very steep, but still will be a capital dray road when finished. It is also intended to form a portion for the purpose of crossing the. baggage drays across the Waitotara. No news has yet been received from Capt.. Swindley although hourly expected. No 3 division will shortly relieve the detachment of the No 7 division stationed at Nukumaru. We have bpen visited to-day by some of the officers of the 18th R.L, and, accompanied by Dr Brown, they proceeded to view the remnants of the late formidable pah. The direction of the. present cart road up the Okehu hill is to be changed; it is to be carried further up tbe stream, and a cutting to be made on to tbe top through tbe hard clay. A bridle track is also to be cut straight up the opposite side, in order that orderlies may not be detained by the tides when carrying despatches.

Wednesday morning, 6 a.m. An orderly was despatched last night to Wanganui with the information that Tito Kowaru's position had been discovered, and that he was at the position known to mariners as the seven hammocks, on this side of the Waitotara. The country is fearfully broken in that direction, and there is no doubt that it will be difficult to get at. You may expect news of a forward move at any time.