LATEST FROM WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2820, 8 April 1869, Page 3

LATEST FROM WANGANUI.

Our files are to the 6th. The " Chronicle" gives the following items : — KAREKA. , This chief of the Pakaraka, who was stated as having been liberated, was not therefore allowed to follow his own devices. He was given his life and liberty upon the important reservation of assisting to guide our volunteers, to the lair of the Waitotaras; which we understand, has been all but accomplished. The whereabouts of the rebels has been ascertained, and a swoop will soon be made upon them, if it has not been done ere this is read. woodall's redoubt. Rations for a number of men have been forwarded to this post, where a picked body of Mounted Constabulary are to be stationed, so that they, in the event of the Duke of Edinburgh expressing a wish to visit the Front, may be used as an escort. EARTHQUAKE. A sharp shortahoclc of earthquake was felt in Wanganui a few minutes before eight o'clock on Thursday morning. THE ST. KILT>A. The " Times" of the same date says : — On Wednesday night the St. Kilda arrived at Wanganui for the pui-pose of taking away fourteen or fifteen Arawas to attend a meeting of the Native Land Court for the purpose of substantiating their claims to some land in the Waikato. It appears that those men had been ordered to march down from Patea so as to meet the St. Kilda here on Thursday last, but they objected to come overland and insisted that the steamer should go to Patea for them. Consequently the St. Kilda lay in the Wanganui river until yesterday, and then was obliged to go to Patea. THE FRONT. An unknown correspondent of the same paper, under date of the 2nd, says: — In my last I told you that Ahitana was nearly caught napping at Ngaere, and there is some queer talk about the reason that he wasn't. This Ngaere is one of the settlements in the Tangahoi district through which the Patea river winds its way, and I only mention it now to say that in my opinion Titoko Waru is in one of those settlements not far from Ngaera, and not at Fgutu ote manu. It is certain that the man Pepi that the force met near that place is Tito's fighting chief, and whenever he is seen the old miscreant is not far off. As Itana told Col. Whitmore that Tito with only 80 followers had gone to Te Ngutu o te manu, he was anxious to follow him there but Kemp refused to go. He was also asked if he would go to the East Coast but he said no. There were other differences and so the parties went to Wellington and came back again. Colonel Whitmore shortly after reaching Patea started in the Sturt for Oponaki and report at once said that he was going to leave these districts until he hunts up Titoko. That's all moonshine. Wirehana has been to Wanganui and returned to-day with Apariniko. He says tha<- his people, the Taupo natives, are coming down to Arauioho to tangi over his brother-in-law who was killed near the Waitotara, and also to have tangi about the old native chief Hori who died at Putiki, so the Wangaaui natives must go clown to help them. I don't know what Colonel Whitmoro will say to that. He has hard work to manage these fellows. I am told that the cavalry is for Wanganui at once ! It is reported to-day that Colonel Whitmoi'e is to command the guard of honor that is to receive the Duke of Edinburgh, and that Kemp is also to go to Wellington. We will know to-morrow. This may be only a ruse, but you will shortly see, as if there is a move they must move at once. I don't think that Werihana and his men will come back again He says that Tauranga where the East Coast rebels were ten days ago is only about twelve miles from his place at Taupo but how true this is I don't know. There is a general move from the outposts, and we expect a complete flitting in a day or two. The Patea and also the Wairoa Volunteer Rifles have hastily gone off to Weireroa, no doubt you will hear of them. It is said they go to hunt up the Waitorara rebels that have returned to that place. FIRE. The " Herald" of the 6th inst. contains the account of a fire which broke out in the stable and outbuildings of the Victoria Hotel, and by which those appurtenances to the hotel were consumed. By the help of the Fire Brigade and the men of the ISfch Royal Irish under Captain Davvson and officers the hotel was saved and the fire prevented from spreading. THE WAITOTARAS. These rebels have been found on Wangai nui territory. They are at present being! harbored, or have sought refuge, ia the pa of!

a friendly chief, near Pipiriki. They are there to the number of 60 fighting men and are desirous of returning to their so-called and professed allegiance and for this end are instigating friendly chiefs to act as go-be-tweena. It now seems clear that it was upon this question that Mr Woon was requested to proceed up the river last week, but with what result it is premature to state. Meanwhile Major Noake and his force have been in tho bush four days on their trail and have not yet emerged ; very likely they are following a blind trail, but should they now or soon happen upon these Waitotaras at Pipiriki we hope the salutations will be warm and comprehensive.—" Chronicle."