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Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2785, 16 January 1869, Page 2

By the p.s. Sturt, which arrived on the 13th insfc. we Lava received the Hawke's Bay Herald ol the 12fch in»tant, containing a long letter from its Poverty Bay Correspondent giving particulars of the events before and after the fall of Ngatepa, for the latter of which wo have only room in our present issue. Wednesday, Jan. fj. No further news from front, except that Ngatepa was destroyed yesterday by Whitmore's orders. I have been unable to obtain nn iu:aarate list of killed and wounded on our side — twenty-two or twenty-three is, I believe, about the number. Captain Brown was buried yesterday at Turanganui. 12 a.m. — One of our troopers has fallen from his horse and fractured a bone of his leg. A Maori prisoner just arrived, named Kipe ; a noteil scoundrel. It is eaid he was concerned in the murder of Willie Wyllte and other Europeans ; however, as he happens to be a relative of the wife of Hirini, the chief of Turanganui, he will probably get off, to murder more settlers some future I ime. Many natives say this Kipo is guilty. He liub been tried formerly for robbing settlers, and served a great deal -of his time in gaol. 5 p.m. — Major Westrup has started with Poverty Bay and other volunteers, and with three days' provisions, in pursuit of To Kooti. The country to bo traversed by Major Westrup and his party is of the wildest; description— dense buahy mountains, without a roud or path of nn v description. There are few officers who wouid be found volunteering to undertake the task of exploring such a savage waste. In all previous New Zealand forest expeditions, some sort of a truck, I believe has been followed. What Major Westrup has undertaken is unprecedented in colonial warfare. Should ho succeed in capturing Te Kooti, he will have rendered New Zealand an invaluable service ; and in any case, ho deserves our gratitude for his bold attempt. 7 p.m. — A friend has informed me that Col. Whitmoro has expressed preat admiration at the conduct of the Poverty Bay settlers. On our parts, it gives me pleasure to say that Colonel Whitmore's conciliatory manner of late has already produced beneficial results j as a proof of which, I may mention that his own men appear to be, and say they are, more kindly treated than formerly. 9 p.m.— The Hon. Mr Richmond has offered a reward of £50 for tho head of Nikora, £500 for that of To Kooti, and, I hoar, £1 por head for any of the others, and the good effect has boon seen in the arrival of a great many prisoners, who are shot as soon as they arrive. Midnight. — Dr Edwards has expired. Thursday, Jan. 7, 6 a.m. Requested to act as guide for Captain Montgomery of H. M.S. Blanche to Ngatepa. Being desirous of verifying or correcting former information, I agreed to go. 10 n.m. — Started. Found all the lino of road as far as Fort Richmond traversed by the wretched nigh starved prisoners. Such living skeletons one seldom sees. Arrived at Fort Richmond about 6 p.m. A prisoner had just been shot there, and nine about six hours previously. Wo met Colonel Whitmoro near Mukorotu. He immediately turned back and ticconipuniod Captain Montgomery to Ngatepa, which plnce wo reached about 6or 7 p.m. Leaving the two officers I sel out in company with some of Eraser's men, onr of whom was an educated gentlemanly fellow, to explore the interior of Ngatepa. I saw quite | enough to convince me that if Ropata's advice had not been followed, and Ngatepa had been atormed when Colonel Whitmoro proposed, most

of our force nmsfc have been destroyed ; and every man of the force with whom I have conversed is of the same opinion. And here I wish to observe that is impossible for the keeper of a daily journal to be always exactly ncurute, as the information of ono day must of necessity sometimes be medified by later intelligence. I aui led to make the remark because unavoidable mistakes have been sometimes charged against me as wilful perversion of facts, and because my late visit to Ngatepa has Droved that Te Kooti never could have escaped had Colonel Whitmore taken proper precautions. I have it on the authority of numerous members of tlifl force, that Major Fraser reported the enemy were escaping, to no purpose. Mr Kempthorne, a settler who is a Maori linguist, assured me he repeatedly warned Colonel Whitmore that there was a space to the right of Ngatepa where the enemy could get away, and where they eventually did escape. That Colonel Whitinore is responsible for that escape, I urn sure every one, excopfc those who choose to shut their eyes to undeniable facts, must agree. Be it remembered, that any and every body can verify for him or herself what I assert here, by making enquiry of those present at Ngatepe. 9 p.m. — Dr Gibbs, who is here at . Ngatepa with the last division, has given me much interesting information, which I reserve for my next. Some of Fraser's men showed extreme bravery during the seige of Ngatepa. 136 oi the enemy in all have been counted slain, of whom about eighty wore killed after pseaping from the pa ; but it is worthy of remark that out of the 136 not more than five or six came from the Chatlmms. : Later information obtained from many of tho \ prisoners render it a matter of almost absolute certainty that Te Kooti has with him at present not Jess than lOC men. We have taken from him in all about 200 women and children prisoners — ' such objects ! Te Kooti's wife Martha was taken to-day. She asserts that Te Kooti was to have been joined yesterday by 400 men, Waikato and UriweraB. 12 p.m. — It is very cold camping here on the [ summit of Ngatepa. The colonel and the captain of the Blanche started for Fort Richmond hours ago, and we who are left start homewards at half-past two to-morrow morning. I Friday, Jan. 8. Half-past two, left for Fort Richmond with I Fraser's division. Horse knocked up at Fort Arawa. Walked remainder of road to Turangaj nui, which I reached about 8 p.m. Pa9sed all the force on its way down, except Ropata and some fifty Ngntiporo, who are still in chase of To ' Kooti. Some hitch prevented Miijor Westrup from pursuing the enemy after he and the Poverty Bay settlers volunteered. Doubtless a great deal has been done, for which Koputa deserves the chief credit. Since fighting commenced, about 250 in all have been killed (including Makeretu) of tho enemy. Six Europeans have J bt-en killed on our side, and five wounded. Five | of our allies have been also slain, wounded — I believe — three, but am not quite certain. Saturday, January 9. All the force expected down to-day. Timber is daily expected for the erection of blockhouses. Whatever version may reach you of recent events, one thing is certain — a very considerable success has been achieved. Ngatepa is ours ; and that i ulone ia worth a great deal. All native accounts concur in this — that it is the strongest position in New Zealand known to tho Maoris. In the hands of determined men, well supplied, it could never he taken. A large proportion of Te Kooti's force has been destroyed, and we mny rest in peace for a short time. That tho Uriweras will try to revenge the death of their greatest chief, none here that I have conversed with doubts. For our success we are indebted chiefly to Ropata, who ought to be made a Lieut-Colonel, nnd despatched to the West Coast. Major Fraser and his men have most ably seconded. Majors St. John and Westrupp, and indeed every one, did their very best. Mor should it be forgotten that the most influential by their position, of the Poverty Bay survivors worked very hard, aud fought admirably to secure I a successful issue. Universal regret is felt that fe Kooti was not captured.