THE NATIVE TROUBLE AT MANGAIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 38, 14 February 1905, Page 5

THE NATIVE TROUBLE AT MANGAIA.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) RARATONGA, January 14. The course of friction and discontent Which have lately been apparent between a section of the natives at Mangaia ajid Major J. T. Large, the Resident Magistrate at that Island, was investigated tby Lieufc.-Col. Gudgeon at a sitting of the High Court of the Cook Islands held at Mangaia on the 9th January. The chief complaints against Major Large seemed to be that he had punished and fined Maoris for offences, whereas he had refused to punish Europeans for similar offences; that Major Large when adjudicating frequently lost his temper and did not give "accused Maoris a chance of defending themselves, and had threatened to incraase Ihcr fines if tltey spoke too innch, also that he was carrying on a system of espionage, which was' not warranted. Some thirteen natives who had been fined by Major Large in the Ariki"s Court, and who had refused to pay their fines, were brought before the High Court. In every ease Colonel Gudgeon upheld the fine inflicted by.the Ariki's Court, presided over by Major Large, and added to the amount of fine previously inflicted a further fine for contempt of Court. In giving judgment Col. Gudgeon stated that if Major had lost his temper it had doubtless been induced by the bad conduct of the accused when before his Court in making impertinent reflections on his decisions. With regard to the assertion that there was one law for the Europeans and one for the Maori, Col. Gudgeon pointed out that some of the socalled laws were merely native customs which were applicable to the natives themselves and not to Europeans, when the law had to be administered by a European Judge or Magistrate. During the proceedings of the Court, Miringitangi, who is looked upon as the ringleader of the discontented natives, went and shook hands with Major Large aoid so apparently ended the, friction between them. When Colonel Gudgeon is at Mangaia. all is apparently well on the surface, but discontent is again bound to ensue unless the Resident Magistrate uses the greatest of tact in all dealings with the natives. The Mangaians have always been accustomed to govern themselves, and the administration of justice and of the Government by a European Magistrate, must, therefore, proceed with a due regard for the feelings of the natives, combined with firmness, and a ready power of appreciating and doing what is required by circumstances. Col. Gudgeon is of opinion that the discontent is now ended, and he consequently adjourned charges against Miringitangi and Taupo of inciting certain natives to defy authority until next, sittings o fthe High Court at Mangaia.