THE TE KOOTI TROUBLE

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 98, 23 February 1889, Page 2

THE TE KOOTI TROUBLE

ANOTHER PUBLIC MEETING. CE KOOTI LEAVES FOB GISBORNE ON SUNDAY. ! . $00 ARMED NGATIPOROUS ON THE MARCH TO GISBORNE. THE WAR SONG CHANTED. . TE KOOTI TO BE STOPPED. LPSK UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.} Gisbobne, February 21. Over 200 satires arrived to-day at Karakara from Wairoa to feast Te Kooti. No action lias yet been taken by the Premier, who is making all enquiry into the request of the settlers as to the stoppage of the rebel's visit. "February 22. A meeting was held last night re Te Kooti'a visit, at which 800 were present. Several native chiefs addressed the meeting. Wi Kaha, Ngatiporou, said he had an interview with the Premier and told him that his tribe would muster and stop Te JEooti between Opotiki and Gisborne. Sir H. Atkinson told him that the Ngatiporous were under Major Bopata, but the speaker said he was a relative of Bopata's and would never consent to Te Kooti visiting Poverty Bay. He disapproved of Bopata consenting when in Wellington in 1887, to Te Kooti's visit. If he raised his hand 300 Ngatiporous would follow him, and the Jfremier being in the district would not prevent him raising his hand. Haari Kuru, a chief of a Gisborne tribe, stated that he would place 200 armet men ia the field. Resolutions were passed endorsing the action of the Vigilance Committee, and a Finance Committee was appointed to raise funds to equip an armed force. At the meeting at which the above was read, "Major Westrup said that the Government had received a full explanation of the grounds why Te Kooti should not come to Poverty Bay. The rebel's influence was gaining ground every day. Four-fifths of the natives about Gisborne were Hauhau's. Mayor Bopata arrived at Gisborne by s.s. Matai last night, and had a long interview with the Premier this morning. - 300 armed and mounted Ngatiporous are on their way to Gisborne and are expected to-night or tomorrow morning. There are a large number of native* in the streets here. Major Bopata and Henare Potae, an influential chief, conversed in the open air, surrounded by crowds of natives. At the termination the war song was chanted by the Maoris. The excitement is increasing, especially among the friendly Maoris. The Karaka public school has been closed owing to families having left there for Gisborne. Wellington, February 21. Government have received a telegram from nine influential chiefs of Poverty Bay, stating that if- steps are not taken to stop Te Kooti at Opotiki, they will take measures to prevent him from entering their district. It is expected Te Kooti'a following will be a very large one when he passes through Opetiki. v February 22. Thirteen members of the police -force left by the Wairarapa for Gisborne this evening, and by the same steamer some 60 or 70 members of the pennanet artil- „ lery, fully equipped, were embarked for Napier. The number will be increased, and the whole will be engaged in maintaining order in the disturbed district. The Wellington police force will at once be reinforqed, principally from Christchurch. Five constables left Christchurch by the Takapuna last night for Wellington.