RELEASE OF THE MAORI PRISONERS.

Evening Star, Issue 2828, 12 March 1872, Page 2

RELEASE OF THE MAORI PRISONERS.

This event, long looked forward to by the Maoris who have during the past two years been confined in the Dunedin Gaol, took place to-day, at noon. It would doubtless have taken place earlier—the Maoris them selves thought about Christmas time—but m view of the disquieting rumors about Tito Kowaru which were prevalent at the t m-, the Government wisely considered it advisable to delay their release. The men have not yet been lot out of gaol, although they have received their liberty : they seem rather to like what has been their forced home, for although, we believe, aocomrno lati®n was offered them in the building formerly occupied by the police at the corner of Folice and Princes streets, the majority pn-fer to remain under Mr Caldwell’s care until they leave. When the prisoners were received into the gaol in November, 18ii9, they numbered 74 ; but many succumbed to the disease they suffered from when they arrived, aud only 51 will leave prison, five being still detained. We have already referred to the many public works in the City constructed by their labor; and we will now merely add that Mr Caldwell and his subordinates speak in very favorable terms of their conduct during their imprisonment.

At noon, the hon. the Defence Minister, accompanied by his Honor the Superintendent, Lieut.-Colonel J. H. St. John; Mr Bedford, private secretary ; and Wiremu Tatnehana Te Neke, of Waikanae, in the Province of Wellington, chief of the Ngatiawa ; aud Aperahama Tamiaporea, of Waitotara, chief of the Ngaraura, arrived at the gaol.

The appearance of the two chiefs, Apcrahama and Wirema Tamihana te Neke, was the signal for a general “ tangi,” or lament, du ■ ing which tears were freely shed, and great feelings of emotion shown, the “ta-gi” being the orthodox manner with natives to meet relatives or close friends, after a protracted absence. After the “ tangi,” the Native Minister explained to the prisoners that the Government had mercifully thought it proper to give them their release, fully expecting th it they would no more revert to the evil practices, which had led to their removal from their homes and to their imprisonment. They were now free, and at liberty to go abroad. In a few days the steamer would be ready to take t em back once more to the North Island. Once arrived there the Government would provide for them a suitable location ; but it was well to inform them now that for some time it would not be expedient to settle them in the vicinity of thenold homes. The exact localities would be defined on arrival at the North. Tauaro, the principal chief and spokesman, addressed Air M‘Lean for himself and his fellow prisoners. He said that on arriving at the Northern Island, after his release, he would decline having anything to do with Native chiefs. He saw Aperahama and Tamihana there, but even with them he

would have nothing to do. TTewenton, “We will all of us settle down in any m inner you direct, and will submit ourselves entirely to the control and guidance of the Government.” Some of the prisoners bad received letters from a noted chief named Hapurona, William King’s ti-ghti g chief, informing them of the joint arrival at Taranaki of his leader aud himself. To this event they more than once alluded, stating that they considered that now these two, with whom it migh-'i be said that the late disturbances and wars originated, had once more come in the midst of 15u opeans, there was no fear but what their troubles were at an end. The presence of W King and Hapurona, at the meeting at Taranaki, was in their idea a sufficient guarantee of peace. We believe his Honor the Superintendent intends seeing the released Natives at his office, in order to offer them some sound advice as to the future. Dunedin appears to have presented such charm 3 in their eyes, that a few of them express their wish to either remain here, or return at a future time.