Charges against Mr Moss.

Manawatu Herald, 13 January 1898, Page 2

Charges against Mr Moss.

COMPLETE BREAK DOWN. H.M.S. Torch has arrrived at Auckland from Rarotonga. Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice, who had been on a special mission as to the liquor question, was a passenger by her. He left for Wellington by the Gairloob. The result of His Honor's mission to Rarotonga is that the charges against the British resident, Mr Moss, entiroly broke down* The arikis, nevertheless, said they would pass no laws, sign no papers, and authorise no payment till the British Resident and the present officers were removed. The Star's Tonga correspondent writes; —As to the charges against the British Resident, expressed or implied, their breakdown was so complete as to be grotesquely ridiculous when regarded as a cause for such an enquiry. The real points were these -Does the government work satisfactorily?

Then about the liquor traffic, education and the administration of justice. Upon all these the Judge will ba sure to give a full report, but the main interest here settles in the decision as to what shall be done for the future. The present mode of government by the natives acting under • the advice of the Resident is doomed. Matua and the arikis deliberately told the Judga that they would sign no papers, pass no laws, nor authorise the payment of money, or do anything else unless the Resident and all the present officers were removed. He showed them the absurdity of asking such a thing when they had not the least reason to warrant it. The only answer was the perpetual "It is oar wish." The' real reason i« that they wish to punish Matua, Darnels, and all who refuse to take part with them against Mr -Moe», and assert their mana as chiefs. The Judge them plainly that their request was one not to be thought of. Matua left the Court with th,a excuse of illness. ' '•■-$ ■-