THE MAORIS AT KAKARAMEA.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 118, 27 May 1876, Page 2

THE MAORIS AT KAKARAMEA.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE PATH A MAIL.) Sin. —Allow me a short space in your paper to bring before the public the state of affairs which occurs when the Maoris attack the white man, and the prompt and able assistance displayed by the Armed Constabulary, in this neighbourhood. I must say that it is grand and in great form, and in every way tends to quell all rows and disturbances created by the Maoris in future, by i's mention only. I, as an eye witness of an affair (or brutal assan't) which tiook place near the Kakaramea hotel last Tuesday night, now beg to lay before you the circumstances of what I .saw as fill' as the darkness of the night would allow. The first appearance of (ho row slowed itself by about six Maoris setting ou one white man who was coming towards the hotel, knocking him down and abusing him as only cowards would do. One or two white men went to his assistance, but there being five other Maoris to receive tlcnn, they shared a like fate. A messenger was sent off to Patea for the assistance of the costabnlary, but returned unattended, it being a wet night, and the Major refused to send any assistance, so the residents of; Kakaramea were left to fight their own battles, and defend themselves against twice their own number. The white men came off the worst in the fray, (such as it was) on account of being outnumbered and not knowing what steps to take in the matter ; fori as far as I can see, the Maoris have adonblochanee, having no end of backers in themselves (for if they had not they would never have a row) and the grand system of the (rovernment to back them up after the row is over, for if a white man, walking ou the road, meets with the Maoris and is assaulted, he must stand like Aunt Sally, (only at closer quarters) and receive all their salutes in silence. If he strike them in self-defence with a whip, or show fight, he may expect to be brought before the Bench, and bound over to keep the peace which no doubt if very encouraging to him. And is be or another white man goes for assistance and is refused it, I don’t see very much, difference between being half killed by Maoris, imprisoned for life, or having a useless wet ride on a dark night for assistance from the Now Zealand Armed Constabulary. I am &c., A NEW CHUM.