ROW WITH THE MAORIS.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 61, 11 May 1878, Page 2

ROW WITH THE MAORIS.

. : About as' lively a. prospect of a free fight as ever gladdened the heart of a Donnybrookian cropped up m the Square, Palmerston, on Thursday evening, when Constable Gillespie attempted to arrest a Maori, from Oroua Bridge, for. disorderly conduct. Some fifty or sixty Natives had.visited town during the afternoon, and one, of them, named. Warren, became so abusive and rowdy that the District Constable thought it advisable- for the preservation of. the peace that he should ba taken care 0f. ... On attempting to secure his man, however, he found himself entangled m the embraces of about half-a-dozen stalwart dusky Amazonians, who although not actually assaultingVhim, very much impeded his movements. As the prisoner was both bounceable and fightable the Constable, tried to get the handcuffs, on, but before he; could doso, a ; number of the Maoris rushed m, and by main forco separated him from; his man. After letting Warren loose he closed with old Te Peete Awea we, but m doing so he found it; was out of tha frying. pifn into the fire, as he was not only attacked by the males, .but some tenor twelve ot the gjntler sex, threw themselves between the Constable and their chief. Matters were thou beginning to look serious, ns the Maoris, no doubt encouraged by seeing, their own numbers, were flinging down threats of defiance to each, all, and every adjective

Pakeha. By this time the Constable had been completely wearied out, and as he was advised by some to let the culprits go for a time, and have them summoned to. Court, he concluded to act upon the advice. As an evidence, however, of the bounceable character of the Maoris, it may be stated that no sooner had they got their, men free than they became more defiant than ever, and all over the Square might be seen dusky-skinned combatants either m process of disrobing for the fray, or m the most approved pugilistic attitudes, while the air was reeking with doubtful compliments to their opponents. Indeed, at one time the fight had assumed such a serious aspect that nothing else appeared fpr it but a struggle for mastery between the Whites and Natives, and had the Constable taken the advice of of a good many (present, he "would have secured the ringleaders, and would have found volunteers to back him up. Mr Stevens, auctioneer, of Marton, and Mr Ben Manson, settler, were two'of the first to come to the rescue of the Constable, and while the former very soon caused the black fellows to given him plenty "of room ; Mr Manson left his mark on 7 the. side of old Pete's pate. Perhaps, however, the Constable acted wisely, for supposing he and his supporters had won the day, and taken about a dozen prisoners, the difficulty arose what was to be done with them. We are glad to be able to bear witness to the courageous and plucky way m which Constable Gillespie acted, for he stuck to his man until overwhelmed by numbers, and advised by others to desist. However, the matter is not to be allowed to drop, and summonses have been issued tb Wi Katene, Te Peete Aweawe, Karauaina,.Teira, and the cause of all the trouble,, Warena. When Warren broke away from custody, he proceeded to the Clarendon Hotel, and on entering the billiard room he drove his hand through the glass-door, lacerating it m a. bad way. His brother, who is the most notorious young larrikin,- — white or black— '-■ m the country, thought he would fpllpw his example and vented wrath against an imaginary foe in.the shape of the wall, but finding his knuckles sof ter 7 than: he anticipated, he rushed about withhis hand under his arm, yelling with pain. ' As 7aU the culprits will figure before Mr Ward, we trust such a salutary lesson will be taught them as may have a deterrent influenceiin the future., -7 77 7