THE OPUNAKE RESCUE.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 347, 14 August 1878, Page 2

THE OPUNAKE RESCUE.

The following is from the Kew Zealander report of proceedings in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday last: The Hon Mr Fox asked the Native Minister whether the Maori wlix) assaulted and maltreated a woman at Opuuake, about a year ago, and was rescued from the custody of ' the police (when beingtaken to prison) by a body of Maoris, had been recaptured and brought, to justice ; and whether any proceedings have been taken against |the Maoris who rescued him; and, if not, whether the subject was brought under the notice of Titokowaru, Te Whiti, or other influential chiefs on the West Coast by the Native Minister, at his late interviews with them. Also, whether, if nothing has been done in the matter, “ now that peaceful relations have been at last established,' and the Native race is no longer estranged,” the Government intend to take any further stops to make the Queen’s writ run, and to vindicate the power of the law in the case referred to ? The Hon Mr Sheehan, in replying to the first part of the qtu stion, would state that the native in question had not been recaptured and brought to 'trial, nor had proceedings been taken against those who effected his rescue. On the occasion of his (Mr Sheehan’s) recent visit to the West Coast, ho went on important public work, other than bringing the matter under the notice of Titokowaru. It would bo unwise (o state publicly the course of action to be adopted, as a statement of the policy might defeat the end in view. (Hear, hear.) The lion Mr Fox asked the Government whether they have, during the recess, taken steps to secure the capture of Winiata, who, after killing a man near Onehuuga, escaped, and is supposed to have taken refuge among the King natives; and whether, if lie has not yet been brought to trial, the Government is prepared to take steps to secure that event. The Hon Mr Sheehan, in replying, stated that it was with considerable truth the department to which lie belonged was at limes termed the mystery office, for there were some matters connected with it, on which it n-as absolutely necessary to observe secrecy, if it were not the desire to thwart the object in view. Of this the House may be assured that nothing would be done in the matter, ot which the House or the country would be ashamed.