Te Kooti

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 52, 3 May 1884, Page 2

Te Kooti

. m I We learn from the Press Association that " Major Eopata write j to the Poverty Bay Herald, saying : — ' I nm much disturbed in thought about Tk Kooti coming to this side of the island. These people (Wairoa Natives) who have invited him, were his soldiers, and helped in his murderous work. They have left traces of their evil deeds behind them at Poverty Bay and other places. Then let not those who have not suffered, who have not had relatives and friends murdered by this man and his minions, invite and cherish him. It would be the same as killing our own flesh and blood, were we to allow him to come here. If anyone wants him here, it must be his own friends who were fighting with him in 1868. It was the Ngatikatunga, from Wairoa, who were his soldiers when he made his raid on this place, and led them on to kill his own relatives with the Europeans.' After giving a list of Europeans and Maons killed by Tb Kooti, Major Bopata says : ' Now, with all this fresh in your memory, are we , to tolerate this man's presence in our midst P I should say not. Let Mr Bbtcb be ever so friendly with him, it is not to be supposed the relatives of those enumerated above could enduie his presence in these parts. I would recommend the Government to advise their friend Te Kooti to keep at a safe distance from the East Coast, otherwise trouble may come of his presence here." From this it would almost appear that the loyal and gallant Major Bopata has, through the illadvised action of the Native Minister in taking away from the chief £200 a year of his allowances and accepting Te Kooti as a friend, almost placed Popata in opposition to the Government. From a knowledge of tho character of the man as evinced in bis past history, and from personal experience, we should strongly advise the Government to consider the last part of the letter quoted. These sentiments are similar to those oppressed at a meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council some months ago, as reported in the Poverty Bay Herald : " The following are the remarks made at the Gisborne Borough Councial meeting on Tuesday evening about the travels of Te Kooti : — Mr Totchen : I hear that Te Kooti is going about the country with 200 armed men, and is coming down the coast. We last heard of him at Tauranga. I think it is very wrong that he should be allowed to do it — no white man would be permitted to go on in that way. I want to know if he comes to this district if there is any arrangement to give him a warm ; reception P Is anything being done P Captain Pobtbb : I furbished up a couple of guns to-day. (Laughter.) Mr Tuchen: I wish you would give ■, me one of them, then. .- j

Mr Kknny: I think, in any case, tlie Borough Council could do nothing till he was actually in the town, when, if he had such a retinue, we could apply to the Government to stop him as a nuisance. I should think the magistrates of the district, who are charged with the maintenance of the peace, should, if there was any risk of its disturbance, meet and act. Captain Pobteb: I do not think we can take any notice of it — at present, at any rate. I may mention, however, that in my military capacity I have asked the Government not to allow him to enter this district at all ; and lam informed that he is going altogether against the wishes oi the Government. If he comes through the Ngatiporou country I am quite sure they wdi object. If he came with 200 armed men, I should consider it only right to get 500 armed Ngatiporous to keep him out I know he will not come into this district with an armed following if I can help it." We are firmly persuaded that if Te Kooti is allowed to visit Poverty Bay, even with an armed Government escort, he will be shot like a dog.