THE MAORI PRISONERS AND THE BISHOP.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 133, 31 July 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE MAORI PRISONERS AND THE BISHOP.

Old Ihaka and his companion captive were conveyed under escort from Drury to Otahuhu on Monday The Bishop, it appears, accompanied them, and on the arrival of the escort opposite the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, it halted. The inhabitants, who were assembled there, signified their displeasure by giving three groans, and his lordship in attempting to address them, was prevented from doing so for some time, owing to the intermingled cheers, hissing, and groaning, that were kept up. Upon obtaining a hearing, he asked the reason why the innocent Maoris had received so strange a reception, when several voices replied that the Maoris wore rebels, and had been taken in arms against the Queen. The Bishop said the Government had warned the Maoris away from Mangare, that they were proceeding towards the Waikato, and that whilst quietly sleeping in their tents, they had been pounced upon and taken prisoners. This announcement was received with hisses, and with a denial more emphatic than polite. Some persons cried out that they had seen the prisoners, before they were captured, with arms and ammunition in their possession. The noise and confusion were resumed, and although Capt. Lyons of the militia, and other officers interfered, it was not quelled until the prisoners were removed to the stockade. On departing the Bishop was treated to some rather pungent expletives, which his lordship could not have felt highly complimented by. —Daily Southern Cross.