Te Kooti's Arrival at Aorangi

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 81, 29 December 1892, Page 2

Te Kooti's Arrival at Aorangi

« • Te Kooti artiyed at Aorangi on Wednesday morning, about 3 o'clock, accompanied bj a considerable body of his followers. The greater nunr er of Maoris are encamped at Awahuri awaiting his arrival, but during yesterday Te Kooti sent messengers over there to say that he does not intend to go on to Awahuri, and that all the Maoris were to join him at Aorangi. A lone consultation took place amongst the Maoris as to whether they should comply with this desire, and set eral expressed great indignation, ultimately, however, it was decided to yield to Te Kooti's request, and yesterday afternoon and evening those present at Awahuri were busily engaged in packing up and moving large quantities of stores to Aorangi, immense supplies of goods having been collected at the former place. Te Kooti is keeping himself very much in camera and declines to be inter* viewed by any Pakehas, though we understand it is his intention to address a meeting on Sunday afternoon next. Our representative on a visit to Aorangi, gleaned the following :— Te Kooti is playing the mysterious prophetic role at Aorangi. He refuses to go to Awahuri saying evil awaits him there. He is yisible only to friends of the Government, and haa not even appeared to the natives, remaining sullenly in his whare all day. His followers, numbering upwards of 100, are total abstainers. Te Kooti, himself however carries a small supply of choice Glenlevit for use in emergencies. Replying to our informant one of his men says Te Kooti prefers Aorangi because it was there he took shelter incog, while the thousand pounds reward was being offered for his head. We are requested to state that the native gathering at Aorangi being a private meeting, visitors will not bo ad mitted until Sunday afternoon, when Te Kooti will address those present.