THE TE KOOTI TROUBLE

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 100, 28 February 1889, Page 2

THE TE KOOTI TROUBLE

(.P«JR UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Auckland, February 27. The Voluuteera were seen off tbia afternoon for Opotiki by a crowd of several thousand spectators, and much, enthusiasm was displayed. ' The police Prom the suburbs and districts will be sailed into Auckland during the absence of the city police on the East Coast. Gisbokwe, February 26 A private telegram has reached here hum Opoiiki this afternoon statingthat there is no danger now. Te Kooti is going back to Waikato to-day or to-morrow. The troops did not leave camp till 10 last night, though orders for marching had been given twice during the day. The Premier arrived at the catnp at 8 last night. After two hours' consultation with the officers, he addressed the forces, thanking them, on behalf of the Colony, for coming out at the call of duty, and said that it was not a military exhibition, but one to vindicate the law of the country, specially thanking Major JRopata and the Ngatiporou for their previous services. The force then marched toward Motu. February 27. The Herald's Opotiki correspondent wires that during the whole of .yesterday Te Kooti remained in the pa suffering a recovery ;df the big "drunk*" and waiting the retnrn of some messengers he had sent through to Poverty Bay. He sent one away on Thursday last, expecting to hear from him by wire, and as he did not r he sent another after him on Saturday. Nothing was heard from him, so he sent a body of 12 men off on Monday, and; heard nothing from them, so he got uneasj. A force of armed men are on the Opotiki- Ormond road, and the probability is that Te Kooti' s messengers were not permitted return, and^as the wires intended* for him never reached him, he was kept in ignorance of what was going on. However,' a messenger arrived from Gisborne last night, who had evidently eluded the sentries, and what news he told Te Kooti, and how it is going to affect him, none yet know. A considerable force of men are expected at Ohiwa, to beJgpded there, and a contingent of iTgatiporous is expected by the road, so we hope that before this day is over, a decisive step will have been taken, as the settlement Is in a great state of alarm, Scott, a member of the artillery, while on the march yesterday, suffered an attack of heat, and was carried back to Lome station and attended to by Dr Pollen. Wellington, February 26. Europeans who have seen Te Kooti within- the last 24 hours report that he is sullen, and refuses to have anything to do with, either Natives or' Europeans. It was reported to the Government last night that a ho^se had been deftreyed by fire on the main road leading from Karaka. The settlers in the district assert that the fire was the work of Hauhhus, but the rumour afc present lacks confirmation. The Hauhaus at Karaka are still very sulky, and are acting in a disagreeable manner to the Europeans. There is the possibility that, inflamed by drink, Te Kooti may refuse to send his followers away. In that case the Government will remove him from the district. It is rumoured at Opotiki that Te Kooti has been using some threats toward the settlers, but as he was under the influence of drink at the time, apt much importance is paid to his words. Latest information received by Government seems to show that it is not at all certain yet that Te Kooti intends to return. His statements are vague.