The Native Troubles in Taranaki.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 107, 2 November 1897, Page 2

The Native Troubles in Taranaki.

(Per Press Association.)

New Plymouth, Nov. 1

Seventy-three Maoris, headed by four playing fifes, marched to the Courthouse this morning, in charge of Sergt. Stagpoole. On reaching the Courthouse they danced a haka outside, and were joined by nineteen others, who had been accommodated for the night in the building, and who danced ;i haka of sympathy and welcome while waiting for the opening of the Court. Their fifas continued to play lively airs, which were continued as the prisoners were taken in batches before the Magistrate, Mr Stanford.

Tbe first case was against four Maorii for trespassing on Mr Cole*' property at Waihi. Mr Cole gay« eridence that he acquired tbe leas* from the Public Trustee, from which he obtained proper deads of possession ; had been undisturbed for years, till a few days ago. when accused began ploughing the land, In reply to the Court, the accused bad nothing to say, but pointed to their white feathers, Te Wbiti's badge. Ac. cused were sentenced to two months' imprisonment, and bound otm to keep the peace for tweWe mooths. As each batch left tbe Court they set up a defiant haka. It has been commonly supposed Te Whiti instigated the ploughing op«r ations, but on Saturday the Prophet's son came to town with tbe object of attending the Waitara races, and learn for the first time of what bad been going on. He assured Mr James Butter worth, who enjoys the confidence of the Prophet, that Te Whiti was in complete ignorance of the ploughing operations. He bad, howerer, prophesied some time ago that the land would go back into the possession of the Maoris. This Dav.

Seventy-three Maoris were sent away to Wellington gaol and eight to Wanganui by the express train this morning.