THE NATIVE FANATICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1619, 26 July 1887, Page 3

THE NATIVE FANATICS.

♦ Auckland, July 25 The Hanhao Natives who created a disturbance at Hokianga, with tbe exoeptlon of those wounded, were brought before H. W. Bishop, R.M. at Ratrene, on Saturday charged with assaulting a European named Hearn, and (2) with unlawfully resisting the police. Prisoners presented a miserable spectacle at the bar of the Court clad m calico costumes, their countenances indicating the lowest type of humanity. A large concourse of Natives from the neighboring settlements was also present. To the first count the prisoners all pleaded guilty The evidence of Hearn and others was taken, wit- ' nesses being cross-examined by the ' psjpheteis Kemara Pangaro She denied attempting to out Hearn's throat and roast him, also that they had been guilty of cannibalism. They had been compelled to forbid stangers trespassing ■ on their property because thefts had frequently been made, especially -by ■ Karo's people, and they forebade anyone i Sntering their kainga with boots and woollen garment a on, it was "tapn" Their procession m white garments signified their peaceableness, and it was because Hearn and the police refused to conform to this that they resisted entrance Into their kainga. Several oihsrs spoke In the same strain. The weapons used by the prisoners were produced m Court, comprising axes, atfzis, spears, tomahawks, •ad merer. Sentences were imposed as follows : — Tamati Kuku, assault, two months' impiiionmsnt with hard labor, and to be bound over to keep the peace lor twelve months, himself m £100 and two others of £50 each ; Kemare, the prophetess, for assault two months' imprisonment, and for resisting the police alx months, also bound over to keep the . peace for twelve month?, herself m £50 and two others of £25 each ; Apro Pongea, for assault, two months' batd labor, and for resisting police three months' hard labor, sentences to run concurrently. He was also Bound over to keep the peace for nine months, himself for £100. Two others for resisting the police got three months' with hard labor, and bound over to keep the peace for nine months m sureties for £100. Young Ernru got two months' hard labor for assaulting Hearn, and three months' bard labor for resisting the police. Hohea, an old chief, was bound over to keep the peaoe for six months, himself for £50 and two others of £25 each. The Court 1b to-day proceeding with charges against five women and three men, who were wounded, viz., Ornrna, Makara and Hana Kuku,