GROSS NATIVE OUTRAGE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 70, 30 October 1862, Page 3

GROSS NATIVE OUTRAGE.

To the 'Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times. Sin, —As I have just returned from a visit to my station at Waikari, and having been subjected while there to no little abuse and annoyance from certain of the natives of the district, I trust you will afford space for a briet account of the outrages to which I allude. The natives concerned in the affair are 22 in number, and are of the kaingas at Pohoa, Petane, and Tonghoia. They arrived at the Waikari kainga on "Wednesday the 15th ult. (being on their way to a runanga to be held at Wairoa), and wished to put their horses into my paddock for the night. This I was obliged to refuse as (I told them) I wanted to get the seed from my grass. They, however, declared that if I did not, give them leave they would bring them in by force. I replied they should not be allowed to stay, for if they did so I should turn them out upon the run. Upon this, Sydney threatened amid much abusive language, to take my horse from me the first time I should stay at Petane, and hide it so as I should lose it. Early the next morning, as I left my house for the back part of the run, I saw that they were busy crossing their horses, but as I supposed that they were going on their way, I did not, take any notice ; but I found on my return in the evening that the whole 22 horses had been left to feed in the paddock all the day. On their return from "Wairoa (on Wednesday last) they once more turned their horses loose into the paddock, and this time without asking leave. I therefore, with the assistance of one of my men, proceeded to eject them. This was seized as the occasion for a violent attack upon me by IS of the party, headed by Sydney and Renata (of Pahoa), armed with spears, poles, billets of wood, &c. I was knocked down from behind by Renata, and dragged along the grass on my face by the hair at the back of my head, whilst another—standing over me and brandishing a billet, amid the most awful oaths and curses —threatened to kill me if I did not go into my house and allow the horses to stay. Sydney stole a stock-whip from my hand for the utu for his horse being unven. I however succeeded in regaining this by means of another native. Although subjected to much abuse and no little danger, I refused to yield to them : nor did I leave them until I saw them commence to cross the river with the horses. Thev, however, took ray canoe and left it on the opposite side, Sydney and others threatening to kill my horse on the first occasion they get it in their power. I am, Sir, yours, &c., J. Hardtxu. October i!8. 186 A