THE PUKEHANGA OUTRAGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5765, 20 September 1879, Page 2

THE PUKEHANGA OUTRAGE.

(PER TRESS AGENCY.) Gbaixamstown, Friday. The Thames Advertiser pigeon this evening brought the following news from the Upper Thames ;—Tukukino, accompanied by 'tiuipoakanata Tipa and others, visited the Ngatihaka settlement at Otaumaknia to-day. The party arrived at 10 o’clock, and were met by a portion of the tribe, including Pakara. Kpiha was not present. The discussion was principally maintained by the young priest Tiwai. Piucha wished the deputation to come again to-morrow, hut was interrupted by Pakara, who stated authoritatively that he was not willing to be made off (sic), that they were not going to give themselves up, and that it was therefore no use repeating the deputation. The Hanraki chiefs told the Kgatihako plainly that they would not pay for their crime. Evidently the Kgatihako people are in great trouble. All their women and children are present here, and it is clear from other natives being here also, that the caution given a fortnight ago was by no means a false alarm. Tukukino urged repeatedly that the offence, being a breach of European law, it should be tried by the Supreme Court, but was met by the reply that as they were merely preventing other people from stealing their land, the shooting was in accordance with the law of Tawhiao, and was not a breach of the law of the Government, nor was it in any way a disturbance of the peace of Hanraki. From every appearance it may reasonably be calculated that they will abide the issue of their own settlement, but there are natives present amongst them whose appearance in the district should cause the greatest precaution on the part of the Government, and is, in the circumstances, a peril to the safety of the outsettlers. A wish has been expressed by the Xgatihako that Mr. Sheehan should return before the matter is finally settled. I merely give the request for what it is worth, as they were positively assured that in view of the opening of Parliament during the next week his doing so would be impossible. Things are quiet at Ohinemuri, but the volunteers are drilling about six hours a day.