THE MAORIS IN DUNEDIN.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2051, 20 September 1880, Page 2

THE MAORIS IN DUNEDIN.

There are now between ninety and a hundred Maori piisoners in the Dunedin Gaol, awaiting trial for interfering with the roadmaking operations on the Woimato Plains. Of course they acted under the direction of Ta Whiti, tho Parihaka prophet, in whom they believe implicitly, hut the result has been that they have been torn from the bosoms of their dusky families and are doomed to imprisonment for an almost indefinite period—in fact until what the newspapers call “Native Affairs” have assumed such an aspect that the return of a large number of able-bodied young fellows to their tribes will not be attended with danger to the peace of the country. All this, says the “Daily Times,” must appear very sad. especially to those large-hearted persons who take an affectionate and sentimental interest in the Maori race ; but we venture to say that a visit to the reclaimed land opposite the establishment presided over by Mr Caldwell, on any fine afternoon, would effectually dispel the idea that these noble savages aro yeaning for the home of their boyhood, or ea'.ing. their hearts out in close confinement. On the contrary, they are probably better off than ever they were before. They get their meals regularly without having to wort for them, are well housed and clothed, and pass their time pleasantly between cricket, rounders, and hop-stepand-jump. When engaged in these pleasant recreations their gleeful shouts can bo heard 500 yards off, while the grave and reverend seigneura among the prisoners lie around in picturesque attitudes, smoking excellent tobacco, paid for by a paternal Government. In these days of universal depression and struggling to make both ends meet, who would not be a Maori political prisoner ?