A Native Disturbance.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 25 October 1890, Page 2

A Native Disturbance.

During the last few days there have been rumours of a new fauatical fad originated by a Native named Mahuki, in respect to which some trouble was expected on account of the large influence lent to the movement by such chiefs asßewi and others. Mahuki some years ago, with 40 followers, attacked Messrs Hursthouse andNewson, surveyors, and subjected them to most cruel treatment and indignities. He then, led his followers to the invasion of tho township of Alexandra. They reckoned without their host, however, on this adventure, for tho Armed Constabulary, under Captain Gasc<>yne, then stationed at Alexandra, not only prevented the attack, but captured the attacking party, and Mahuki and his friends were brought prisoners to Auckland and tried before Mr Justice Gillies. Mahuki, as the ringleader, was sentenced to a year's imprisonment, and the others to lesser terms. He has now invented a new religion, and set himself up as a prophet. His vagaries in the neighborhood of Te Kuiti. have given a good deal of uneasiness to the settlers. It is reported that his audacity reached such an extent of developement that he has taken possession of some stores at Te Kuiti, Intelligence of these doings reached Mr Lewis, Under Secretary Natives Affairs, yesterday. He at once communicated with the Premier at Wellington, and instructions were received to qaell the disturbance and arrest Mahuki. To carrry out this order Captain Morrison and a strong | detachment of the Permanent Force, and Inspector Broham with Constables left Auckland by special train for Te Kuiti. The police found Mahuki in Tanner's store and boarding-house. j He and his followers had taken pDSsc^sion of the premises on the previous night, and had driven out the 1 men allowing only the women and ! children to remain When the police ! reached tho store, To Mahuki was I sifting in an easy chair chatting to ' Messrs Briton and Mclean, iwho had been staying at the boarding-housp. He was at once arrested and handcuffed and taken to the railway station in charge of Chief Defective Kirby. The prisoner uttered violent denunciations on the Europeans as he went along. All of his followers however had left at 10 o'clock the previous night for Te Kuiti, their settlement, three miles off, with orders to return in the morning. It was not nece-sary for the police to go to Te Kuiti, as shortly after Mahuki's arrest the Natives, some on horseback, and others walking, straggled into the township. The police who were in shelter of the railway lniildings, rushed out and arrested them, and brought them to Auckland arriving here about five o'clock. The Natives were brought before Mr Philips, J.P., at the Police Curt and charged with forcible entry and assau't, The cases were remanded till the 30th instant, and the prisoners sent to Mount Eden gaol-iVm Association.