THE TE KOOTI TROUBLE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 263, 21 February 1889, Page 2

THE TE KOOTI TROUBLE.

A STRAIGHTFORWARD ARTICLE. Opotiki, yesterday. Ta Knoli’s movemints are to-day clouded in mystery. Yesterday he was reported to be at Matata, with a very large concourse of followers, but the determined opposition of the Te Ngata and their representatives to the Government may have caused him to alter bis line of route. t No messengers from him have arrived here to-day, and the natives are quite in tho dark ae to his movements. He left Matata yesterday and may be now in the heart of the Waimarna country where the Waiwera have assembled to meet him, but one thing is certain, he is not near a telegraph station. Auckland, last night.

The Hon E. Mitohelson, Minister for Native affairs, in order to prevent any occasion of disturbance in Poverty Bay district, is not only receiving hourly advices of the movements of Te Kooti, but has opened direct communication with the ex-rebel chief, warning him against carrying out his intention of visiting tho scene of the horrible massacre of twenty years ago. Yesterday the Minister despatched a telegram to Te Kooti, to be delivered by Mr Bush, R.M. qt Tauranga. This message strongly urged Te Kooti to abandon hi s projected visit and return at once to his home in the Waiketo.

Mr Bush sent a telegraph reply to the Minister last night, informing him of the delivery of his message and Te Kooti’B reply to it. Mr Bush states that he pro’ceeded to Poroporo about four miles from Whakatane, where Te Kooti was encamped, and delivered and translated the telegraphic despatch from Mr Mitchelson. Te Kooti’s reply was that he had already talked the .matter over thoroughly with the Native Minister at Auckland. He could not abandon his intention. He felt that he was getting old. He did not know how soon he might die, and he qtrongly wished to see his friends before his death. He could not delay, but he was like the master of a vessel who looked out for breakers ahead .while I crossing the bar; if there was too he avy a I sea he would put back. I ‘f,This. Mr Bush adds, may be interpreted Ito mean that if To Kooti is strongly opposed ■he will return rather than risk provoking lany breach of the peace. He no doubt I means tojdo his utmost and reach the settlement of his friends in Poverty Bay, and his intention is to leave this on Wednesday morning for Waimana, then pass ‘through Opotiki, and next day will go to Maramutu, seven miles beyond Opotiki, on the Gisborne road, proceeding on Friday to Poverty Bay. Mr Bush reports that there were 180 horses tethered round Te Kooti’s encampment at sPoropo, showing that his party had been Hargely Increased by local natives joining, He saw no sign of arms of any description, and thinks It improbable that the whole of the party will follow To Kooti, To-day’s Herald leader has the following : —“ The Minister for Native Affairs, as stated in our yesterday's issue, deprecates the action of the settles of the East Coast as ’’Mere bounce," and we cannot but deem it an unseemly tiling for any man who, by the chapter of accidents, has been temporarily invested with authority to take on him tho assumption of superior intelligence to the extent of deriding the reasonable apprehon-

sions of some five or six hundred men, any one of whom may be quite as intelligent as himself, and quite as capable of forming a correct conception of the circumstances in which they are placed. Mr Mltchelson has been guilty of reprehensible conduct in waiting on To Kooti at his hotel when in Auckland, and in paying court to him. He has evidently inflated the self-conceit of the ex-outlaw, the result of which we may reasonably see in Te Kooti’s persisting in having this visit to the scene of his former atrocities. It is not settlers and friendly natives in this case who can be charged with "bounce," but it is sheer Maori "bounce" on the part,of Ta Kootito malm this triumphal parade to Poverty Biy. What can he the object of his going ’ To see his friends is. the veriest pretence. For years past all his friends from there and everywhere hivs been visiting him in the King Country, and his return visit is nothing more or less than to parade bls triumph over law. and to show the settlers and the natives of the districts whom he knows to bp inimical to,him that under the protection of that law, and by the favor of his friends and patrons, the Ministers of the country, he is able to brave and laugh at their hatred. If this is not bounce, and bounce of the most objectionable kind, then we fail to understand the meaning of the term," The article concludes, "And we again repeat that the Ministry wlio tacitly acquiesced , in his mission, and who in doing Bo must be regarded ns his aiders and abettors, will tinswer for it at, the hands ef their fellow colonists, and if evil names of it the infamy of Hwir negligence of misconduct in the oircnriii itsndet will tlflg round the woitt." , 1

VIGILANCE COMMITTEE’S MEETING. A meeting of the Vigilance Committee was held in the Masonic Hotel yesterday, about a dozen members being present. Mr Chambers was voted to the chair. The Chairman said the Native members suggested that the meetings should be held in secret, as the report of the last meeting had already been circulated among the Hauhaus. Major Westrup thought part of their proceedings might be given as little publicity as possible. There would be certain things it would be as well to discuss in secret. He had his reasons, first the information that was given by the public Press was of as much profit to the natives as it was to themselves, and friends of Te Kooti would circulate the news among the Hauhaus. The telegram that Mr Booth got and was published would have effect on Te Kooti’s friends. The latter would say the Government was thoroughly with them. There were other reasons why part of their proceedings should not be made known. Mr Kenny while partially agreeing with Major Westrup, thought it very advisable the meeting should be kept altogether secret. If the reporters would refrain from reporting any matters which the Committee thought should not be made public they should be allowed to remain. He moved the reporters be admitted on the understanding they would not publish anything which the Committee required should not be published. Mr Graham considered it would be a great mistake to have too much privacy. He quite appreciated the motives of the natives who had wished the proceeding of the meetings kept secret, but it seemed to him the mare open and above board they did the thing the better it would be, He seconded the motion. Mr Crawford quite agreed with what Mr Graham had said. It would be an insult to the settlers to keep them in ignorance of what was going on. He thought that nothing should be kept back, as the reports of the meeting at Makaraka had already been published. Hoani Burn said there were many Maoris and pakehas in the district who were sending messages to the Government containing insulting references to the Committee, and the Native Minister had insulted them by saying that the agitation was mere bounce. It was then resolved to admit the reporters, subject to the condition imposed. The names of A. B. Newman, W. King, J Clark, C. D. Bennett, and J, Price were added to Committee. Mr B -oth here came fn and road the telegram lie had received from Government to the effect that they did not intend to supply arms to the settlers, as they would bo themselves breaking the lew. They would rely on the volunteers to keep the peace and if these were not sufficient other measures would be taken. Mr Graham said the Government did not know as much about the situation as the residents here did. Resolutions should be sent to Government describing the position, and to the effect that Te Kooti should not be allowed to visit the district at a'l, that he had been a standing menace to the district for years. It was an insult, pardon or no pardon, to the district if Te Kooti came here. They were determined that if Government did not stop him they would do so themselves. The danger, he thought, was more between the two sections of the The district had thoroughly made up its mind that Te Kooti should not be allowed to come here. He thought if a number of volunteers should go out with Mr Booth, and if Te Kooti would not go back they could come to the front, and then a little show of force might have its effect. He thought if the Native Minister had really said the meeting was all bounce, a vote of censure should be passed on him for setting his opinion against the settlers. Major Westrup read a lotter of O’l, 21 which he and othera had written to the Government, showing that the latter had been informed of the feeling of the district. Mr Chambers said four fifths of the natives in the dietriot, excluding Ngatiporoue, were followers of Te Kooti. Mr Graham thought if Mr Booth were given carte blanche to act they could back him up —that would be better than the settlers taking the actual responsibility. Major Westrup reported that he had sent telegrams to ail the principal papers in New Zealand asking them to take up the matter. A telegram had also b»en sent to the Native Minister requesting 300 stand of arms. Mr Kanny thought the Government were doing their best, although the Native Minister had acted in a foolish way, to keep Te Kooti out of the district. The Native Minister said there was no.’aethodby which Te Kooti could be kept out of the district. He (the speaker)' said the Government had the jpow«r to prevent any gathering of three or more persons, which was likely to cause a broach of the peace, and that law could be applied to Te Kooti. The Justices of the Peace were the conservators of the peace, and he would suggest that Mr Booth be asked to convene a meeting of Justices, and they could refer the matter to tho Government. A request coming from such a source would be sure to carry great weight. Mr Chambers said the Government had had 43 hours to consider the matt?r, and if they had not made up their minds in another 21 hours the Committee should take decisive steps. They should act as if there were no Government, or the whole district would be brought into disrepute. The defence of their women and children would be left entirely in their own hands. They should let Te Kooti understand that neither now nor at any future time should he be allowed to enter the district. If that was not done the alarm would continue as long the man lived. Mr Crawford said Te Kooti would be passing through the Uriwera country and would possibly have magazines there, and it wis quite possi le he would get a number of followers at that place. Hoani Ruru agreed that Te Kooti would got arms and men from the Uriweras. It was not their wish to go against tho law, but to do everything in their power to prevent Te Kooti coming here. It was his wish to have a boundary defined, inside of which Te Kooti should not come. He (Hosni) saw in the reports of Parliamentary proceedings a notice that Te Kooti was to be stopped from proceeding with large bands of followers beyond certain districts. He was now going I directly in opposition to whet was laid down in that notice. It was contrary to what they | were led to believe had been done. He thought they should make every preparation that could be made. Mr Crawford thought it wonld strengthen their hands if a meeting were held ia the borough. Many of the town people, who were interested in the movement, had not been able to attend ths Makaraka meeting. Ra Macky stated that Te Kooti had said ha would drive the Europeans into the sea. It was not Te Kootils followers that were so much to be feared asJtomlrnahaus in the disMr Kooti cams to the district ie 50 natives who would not join BraWfc, ly would do it through sheer fright. Tl x-e came here the natives would say it was another of his prophecies fulfilled, Mr Goldsmith said Paneamino Tuwhaka, a Ngatiporou chief, had written to the Native Minister, and had given him a copy, which was to the effset that the Maoris and pakehas wore determined not to let Te Kooti come into the district as he had caused them great grief in the past. Te Kooti wanted to trample on the digni'y of theNgatipnrous who assisted the Government in troublous times, Ths letter concluded, "Let your words be strong and to the purpose in telling Te Kooti to stay at his place in the Waikato," A telegram from Mr Fergus was read, which was to the same effect as that received by Mr Booth, Major Westrup sgid the Government did not Scam to know that Te Kooti was undoubtedly a greater power for evil now than he was in 184)3. Hoani Ruru asked if tho native committeemen could send a telegram to Government. It would show that it was not only Europeans who were opposed to Te Kooti's coming, It was agreed that this course should be taken. It was also agreed that the officer commanding the district should be informed that there was a probability of trouble arising. Mr Graham said he had just seen Inspector Kiely, who stated that Te Kooti had been warned by Mr Bush, R.M. at Opotiki, hot to came, but he is determined to do so. Mr Graham bad alio rewind a telegram troth

the Premier asking how far Karaka was bom Gisborne. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Kenny, that a telegram be sent to the Defence Minister (Mr Fergus), to the effect that the Government do not realise the danger, and that the setters were so confident that trouble would arise if Te Kooti came that they were determined to prevent him. It was pointed out that the Government had the power to prevent Te Kooti coming to the district. Mr Chambers said the natives at Karaka were behaving in a very bounceable way to the Europeans, and were boasting of what they will do when Te Kooti comes. There was a feeling of antagonism between the two races at that place.

Mr Graham thought that if it was found ' necessary they should be prepared to disperse the gathering. Te Kooti should be sent back ignominiously, and not allowed to accomplish the object of his visit. It was decided to wire to the Premier asking him to visit Gisborne if possible. The following (letter bom Opotiki from Matanga Paapa (better known as Matenga Taihuks) to his wife was read “ Ngaitai have been in great trouble over report that Te Kooti had arrived at Rotorua on the 16th. The Ngaitai immediately took up arms to fight against Te Kooti’s coming. This party who intended to obstruct are at Opotiki. Wi Pere has induced them to abandon their intention to go to Whakatane to stop Te Kooti and return him to his kianga. Enough. Ngaitai are waiting at Opotiki on watch tor his arrival.”

To counteract Wi Pere's influence the following telegram was sent to Karauria te Kawau, Opotiki, by Hoani Burn and Wi Kaha“ Be you strong in stopping Ta Kooti. Do not listen to Wi Pere. He is a Hauhau. We and Ngatiporou on this side will also prevent him from coming into Turanganni.” The name of Peneamine Tuwhaka was also added to the Committee.

The Committee meet to-day. In the meantime they are making enquiries as to arms and ammunition available.

A REASONABLE REQUEST REFUSED. In answer to an application made to the J Defence Department by Captain Warren ’ (noting for the Commanding Officer of East Coast Dlstrlot), for authority to Issue service ammunition to local volunteers, and an order to hold themselves in readiness, the following urgent telegram was received last evening-* “Captain Warren, GisborneWe trust that in case of any disturbance the volunteers will render any assistance needed, but are persuaded that the issue of ammunition at present would only tend to increase the ex* eitement, for which there does not seem to be adequate cause, and which we hope to hear is allayed.—T. FgBOVs (Minister of Justice). At the time of the Waiters trouble in 1860 the settlers applied to the Government for relief, and were met with the same answer, “ that there did not seem to be adequate cause." The result is now a matter of history. History, wa fervently hope, will not repeat itself in this case. MAJOR WESTBUP. The following account of Major Wettrup is from the Heroes of New Zealand, but ft is a very modest one :— Major Charles Westrup joined Von Temp* sky’s Forest Rangers towards the end of 1803, and soon after was commissioned an ensign in that corps. He was promoted to lieutenant early in 1864, and served under Major Von Tempsky, in tho Waikato, until the middle of 1863, when he wae promoted to a captainoy, and took a company of Forest Rangers round to Walapu (East Cape),

where he did good service, tinder the late Major Fraser and Captain R. Biggs, throughout the E .st Coast campa-gn. Ho was present at the attack on Pukemaire, the taking of Hunga.hunga-Torca, Waerengahika, and the fighting in the Wairea, in October, 1866-7. After the murder of Major Biggs, in November, 1868, he wae placed in command of the Poverty Bay district, and give orders for tho pursuit of Te Kooti by the Napier natives, under Major Gasooigne. who overtook and defeated the rebels at Mangakaretu, killing 63 on the spot, Te Kooti himself being amongst the wounded, who retreated to Ngatipa. Captain Westrup now received his majority, and was left in command at Poverty Bay, while Colonel Whitmore directed the subsequent operations ending in tho capture of Ngatipa. Major Westrup shortly after retired from the service, settling down as a sheep farmer on a run in the Poverty Bay dlstrlot. He wae much liked by his officers and men*. and was dietin. guished for his coolness auE fbtrepidfty in notion. . ~

A CORRECTION. Ito the editor.] Sib,—As I havb ever viewed the atrocities committed by Te Kooti as almost unparalleled in the history ot cruelty or crime, your report of yesterday’s proceedings at Makaraka somewhat surprised me. It says, “Mr Scott thought that although Te Kooti was admittedly a murderer, his actions should not be so harshly viewed as was done by most of the Committee.” As the foregoing extract expresses the converse ot my sentiments either expressed at Makaraka yesterday, or at any other time, you will oblige me by inserting this letter in your next issue, which may serve to correct a report which conveys to the public an erroneous impression. A few days after the massacre at Poverty Bay I, with others, visited the scene ot the inhuman triumphs of Te Kooti and his followers, and time has not yet effaced from our memories the sensations of horror and the desolation that met our gaze. The sad picture will haunt us to our graves. If your reporter is in search of a man to palliate the atrocities of Te Kooti, I would direct his attention to the k actions of Messrs Bryce and Mitcholeon—he X can make his own choice.—l am, &0., Gao. Scott. The Willows, Ormond, Feb. 19,1839. [ln reference to ths above, Mr Scott is per* fectiy correct in what he Bays—the mistake arose from a misapprehension by our reporter.—Ed.] A public meeting is to ba held in ths City Rink to-night. Those Persons who have joined or iltend joining the defence eorpe are requested to band in a return before to-night of the arms and ammunition they possess. ■*->,• Several natives congregated under Mr Good's verandah on Tuesday afternoon and discussed the intended visit of Ta Kooti, The principal speakers were Hapt Kiuiha, Hoani Ruru, on the one side, and Te Kani on the other. Hapi Kiniha appeared to think that Te Kooti, having determined to oo'me, must either carry out that determination or lose hie religious authority and thereby part with most ot bis power over his followers, This he thought Would cense him to make strenuous efforts b’fore he Would give up his project. Soma natives suggested that we were ail living under the Government and it must rest in their hands, but Hapi quickly retorted that the Minister had on a former occasion promised that Te Kooti should not come to ths district. It is evident the Government are awaking to a sense of the position of affairs in thia district. The local telegraph office was kept open last night, by order of the Premier, until 10.30, so that massages could be transmitted up till that hour. A correspondent sends a strongly worded letter commenting on a newspaper allowing its columns to be made use of by Hauhsu spies. If the assertions are true private communication should be made to the journal referred to—we cannot afford to raise quibbles with anybody when there are such important pointe to consider. “Weeper" asks: Is the Maori whoso name has lately been much associated with that of Te Kooti and the Hauhaus the same Wi Pare as he who recently went home with Mr Rees to bring out immigrants, and who 1 was driven back from London by theheavy fog ? The question requires no answer. The Raraka school has been closed, as it has been found useless to open the doors during the present soars. A report was current in town last night that the natives had blocked up the road at Karaka and would not allow Europeans to pass, but we believe the report has no foundation whatever. x Some of the womenfolk of Gisborne have bsoome so alarmed that thqi talk of leavlhg by steamtr. There is no ground, so tar at any rate, far ssoh anxiety, tad we hope that boat will beootae to pMUe-itriaken.