"A TISSUE OF LIES.”

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 270, 7 March 1889, Page 2

"A TISSUE OF LIES.”

The speeches made yesterday by Major Porter and Captain Winter come to us as a complete surprise. We are sorry there should be any unpleasantness that would in the least degree lessen the joyful feelings that are naturally engendered by the satisfactory result, and we take this opportunity of joining in the hearty compliment to those men who went forth so bravely to take their part in what might have been a very serious engagement. In regard to the discredit that has been put upon our reports we do not intend to take up a vituperative strain, nor even an argumentative one. What we desire is the truth, and nothing but the truth. We have telegraphed to the editor of the New Zealand Herald, and he has kindly referred our message to their special reporter, Mr W. Robinson. He states that he was present and saw Major Porter shake hands with Te Kooti, but he did not see the nose-rubbing; he corroborates the fact that the Standard reporter was in the vicinity. It may be remarked here that our special reporter has reputation, situation, and everything to lose by making a false statement, and nothing whatever to gain, while if a mistake had been made it could be corrected and nothing more would be heard of it: but he goes further, as the subjoined will show :—

I, Thomas Harries Bsnson Smith, of Gisborne, reporter, do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows : — 1. —That I accompanied the troops in their late expedition against Te Kooti as special correspondent for the Gisborne

Standard. 2.—1 was present at Waiotahi on the occasion of I'e Kooti’s arrest, and I then saw Major Porter go up to Te Kooti, shake hands with him, and at the same

time salute him by what is commonly known as •' rubbing noses.” 3.—The report ef the conversation which took place on that occasion between Major Porter and Inspector Goodall, as contained in last Tuesday’s issue of the

Gisborne Standard, is substantially

correct. 4.—1 was personally present and heard the whole of that conversation, and I relied upon no other source for the information furnished to the Gisborne

Standard regarding Te Kooti’s arrest.

And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true arid bv virtue of '* The Justice of Peace Act, 1882.”

Thomas H. B. Smith. Declared at Gisborne this 6th day of March, 1889, before me, J. Booth, J.P.

(Our reporter was quite willing to make the above statement on oath, and indeed was desirous to do so. Extra judicial oaths are, however, illegal, but the maker of a false declaration h not less amenable to prosecution for a misdemeanour,—En. | The above declaration has been made before Mr Booth. Resident Magistrate ; there has been no pressure on our part, and the serious nature of the declaration has been fully understood. But in addition to this we have asked for a plain statement of facts, which has been supplied as follows

Shortly after noon on Thursday the troops fell in, having been informed of the whereabouts of Te Kooti, and proceeded to Waiotahi to arrest him. During the journey along the beach Major Porter was in company with Wi Pare, Te Kooti’s secretary, and some other natives (Hauhaus). After going some distance, Wi Fere and the other Natives commenced galloping towards Te Kooti’s whare, leaving Major Porter behind. Inspector Goodall and his constable seeing this movement, immediately galloped after them and kept them company until their arrival at the pan. I immediately followed them and had gone a considerable distance when my horse wis outpaced, and fell behind; Shortly afterwards Major Porter came up, and said he had not noticed me pose the troops, I replied that I had followed Inspector Goodall. We went on together, and when coming within two miles of the pah, Wi Pere and Te Kooti’s Secretary and the other n«fives came galloping towards us, Major Porter then gave instructions iu accordance with the wish, I believe, of Pe Kept), Baying that none was allowed to come on, and Stopping Sergeant Bullen and police, and the troops. As we were riding along towards the pah it was noticed that one of the Ngatipproua was following us. Major Porter immediately told him to turn back. He pulled up till we got roi;n4 one of the bends of the hill, but soon after the Ngatiporou was seen to be following us again, Major Porter then asked me to take him baok to the troops and tell the officers that no one Would be allowed to come on to the pah. Having done this I then galloped after Major Porter and caught up to them before reaching the-pah, where Inspector Goodall and constable were already stationed. On arrival Major Portergot off his horse and went and shook hands with Te Kooti at the same time rubbing noses. I was quite close at the time and heard the whole of the conversation that took place in English and which was reported In the Standard. An Auckland Herald reporter was also presonti I did Mt notice Mr Cannon arrive

at the spot until some time afterwards. As I am not allowed in the present statement to make any comment, I can say noihing further with regard to Inspector Goodall than that when the arrest w s being made he acted iu a way of which any Englishman ought to feel proud. Captain Winter was with the Hussars when the arrest was being made, and from the position occupied by them, they could not distinguish wha was taking place at the settlement. On one or two different occasions Maj r Porter came to me voluntarily and gave me information. Th >mas H. B. Smith. As we have stated, we make no comment ; where a matter so directly concerns ourselves we consider tnat the intelligent and dispassioned reader is the best judge. A word or two in conclusion : We challenge Major Porter to continue the subject further.