THE OCCUPATION OF RAIATEA
The correspondent of the "New Zoaland Hemld gives the following parti* culars cf the occupation: — " Fit some years past Raiatea, whloh is only- about 100 miles from Tahiti, has been m a disturbed and unquiet state. ' The King In whoße name the government w»b carried on, Is named Tamatoa, bat he haa never been able to maintain order m a satisfactory manner. The whole of the European houses carrying on business ia ths island have been eorely tried by the utter inoapaoity of the native Government to carry out Its functions, and have been anxious that the French should assume oomplete control. It. appears that m July last a chief called Peu was banished amongst others for attending the national ceremonies at Tahiti, Pea was for years the pilot at Baiatea, and the only one capable of handling tbe large vessels which load oopra there. On the representation of shipowners and the French Ootnmsndant, the King agreed to reinttate Peu, and the sentence of banishment was remitted. On the 4th October the chief Teraupoo sent all his people to the meeting armed with instructions to compel the banishment sentenae to be carried into effect, and there was every appear* ance of a serious trouble taking place. The King abdicated acd took refuge on board a French man-of-war. Six of the principal chiefs then requested the French to land and oompel order on the Island by force If neoeeaary. The Commandant refused to do this unless ha was left free to punish those who made the trouble. This was granted, and be then landed a force, and the rebel natives took to the bosh. After some time spent In endeavoring to induce them to come m and be judged by the law, the French Commandant issued a proclamation outlawing the chiefs and their followers, and giving them 24 hours to deliver themselves up. On the time expiring, the French troops landed and destroyed their property. " The next day Commandant de Guerre issued a proclamation calling on Teranpoo and five other chiefs witK theic followers to come m and Bnrrender to fio law before 8 a.m. on the 10th December. On the 10th December, the natives not having come m, the Frenoh waited until 12 noon, when the Scorpion went round to the town of Valaau (Teraupoo'a district) bombarded it, afterwards landing a party and burning and destroying all the hotueß and property of the rebel natives The Decres meantime landed a party at Uteroa the principal town, and destroyed the town houses and property of these people. The French were mf at oireful not to Id j are or annoy anyone whatever, except the natives actually m rebellion. With tbe exception of the missionaries, almost the whole of the white residents uphold the action of the French and hope that the French occupation will be permanent, as for some years the native government has been bo weak and corrnpt that foreigners could obtain no redress or justice except through French intervention. The missionaries on the island are the Rev Mr Richards and the Rev Mr Cooper, who were sent oat by tbe London Missionary society, and who object to the dominance of the Frenoh beoauea they fear the introduction of Frenoh manners amongst the natives, and the strengthening of the Roman Oatholio influence.
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1737, 11 January 1888, Page 3
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556THE OCCUPATION OF RAIATEA Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1737, 11 January 1888, Page 3
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