Trouble at Bay of Islands.

Manawatu Herald, 30 April 1898, Page 3

Trouble at Bay of Islands.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN LEAVING RAWENI. Some rather disquieting news with regard to trouble with the natives at Raweni, Bay ot Islands, was received by the Government on Thursday night 'says the N.Z. Times. ' ' The first intimation was from the '•*■ constable at Raweni, who wired that ioo natives, supposed to be Hauhaus, had gathered together near the township, and assumed a very threatening attitude. : '""■■ The next report was from the postmaster at Raweni, who wired that the police had arrived, and that probably . as many as 500 natives had assembled -,:. and that they were well armed. (

The women and children were, he also stated, leaving the place, and it was just possible the fanatics would burn the township. The son of the county chairman of the district also wired that the socalled Hauhau natives at Wainia had clearly demonstrated to the local constable and himself that alter due deliberation they had decided to resist the law, and that the*/ gave public I warning of their intention to march into Rawenl on Ftiday, and that they intended to fight to the death. The same informant also stated that the residents from Amanaia had all abandoned their homes in alarm, and that a panic had ensued. The rebellious natives were fully armed, and nothing less than an armed, disciplined force could oope with them. The settlers, meanwhile, wero arming themselves with whatever weaponß were available, and propose* to parley with tho natives until help arrived. The Government immediately on receipt of the news wired to Mr Clendon, Stipendiary Magistrate for the district, instructing him to proceed at onoe to Raweni, and inquire find report aa to tho eaase of the disorder, and the stage at which it has ! then arrived. j Mr Clendon reached Ohaewai 11 p.m. ' and expects to reach Raweni at 8 o'clock j this morning. Ha has telegrapeed to the Government that in his opinion tha alarm ! at Raweni is both premature and unnecessary, especially as the information as to the intentions of the Hauhaus ia bo vague. The latest contributor to the Govern- ; ment'B stook of information on the subject , is the telegraphist at Raweni. From his report it appears that the cau?e of the trouble is a native named Hone Tora, who was prominent in the agitation whioh occurred some time sinoe among the Northern natives in connection with the dog-tax. In addition to his other accomplishments, Hone is somewhat of a ventriloquist, and his ability to cause the ghosts of departed Maoris to speak to their friends on earth has given hin considerable prestige and influence over bis fellow natives. These he has filled with a sense of the injustice of the pakeha in taxing their dogs, land, vehicles aud olothing, and has urged upon them that it is better to fight than to put up with it any longer. So far the telephonist at Wainia has heard nothing of the natives leaving there but their camp is some distance away from the station, aud they could get to Raweni without coming under his obser. vation.