THE PLOUGHING MANIA.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 441, 5 July 1879, Page 2

THE PLOUGHING MANIA.

ARREST OF MAORIS AT NORMANBY. News was received at Hawera on Wednesday evening that the natives intended te begin ploughing at Normanby, and the Cavalry were at once got ready to proceed there at a moment’s notice. However, operations were not commencenced till next morning, and the spot chosen was on Mr Finlayson’s land near the bush, and the farthest homestead from the town in the district. The Cavalry (under the command of Major Noajcp) at once started, and were met by the A.C. s, under the command of Major Roberts, and together proceeded

to the scene oraction. On arrival they found that the party consisted of eleven men and one woman (cook), who were all .busily engaged—the woman in scraping potatoes'for a feast, and the men in ploughing. It had been previously arranged by those in command that an unarmed party of A.G.’s, covered by armed skirmishers of the Cavalry and A.0., should arrest the natives, which was done without much trouble. The working tools of the natives consisted of three ploughs, each drawn by two bullocks ; and two drays. At the time of the arrest they were ploughing and planting potatoes; and when the ploughmen were removed from the ploughs by the Constabulary, the drivers of the teams went on as if nothing had happened—perhaps the sad fate of Lot’s wile came vividly before them, and they were no doubt afraid to look back;.or take any notice of what was being done, lost they should be turned into a pillar of salt, or something equally objectionable. ' Eventually they wove all secured except the cook (who was allowed her freedom), and taken to the WaihiRedoubt, together with all their belongings; from-whence they (the natives) were convoyed to Hawera, and lodged in the- lock-np. Yesterday morning they were forwarded to Carlyle by coach, guarded by seven of the Hawera Cavalry, whore they arrived shortly after 10 o’clock. We understand that the natives were quite cheerful throughout, but it was evident on their arrival here, that the position was beginning to look somewhat more serious to them, and one young man indulged in a good blabber—some say for a young wife he left behind. A large number of people gathered together near the Court House to witness their arrival, and the town was quite lively throughout the day, owing to news having come to hand that more natives had been captured at Normanby, and might be expected to arrive here at any time. The following are the names of those captured on Thursday :—Te lid (leader, and one ofTe Whiti’s council; also headed the protest-party at the commencement of the Waimate Plains survey), Taki Taki, Te Ranni (nephew of Tito Kowarn’s), To Ikaruku, Mori, Tamati te Knkn, To Witci, Rangi Muia, Nga One, Ihi Tna, Te Matoi.

The rumour that another batch of natives had been captured at Nonnanby (Finlayson’s) proved quite correct, for the Constabulary yesterday secured six more, headed by Wakawiria; another nephew of Tito Kowaru’s; a son of Kaitana (who shot Hiroki) ; and three others yet unknown. Those, together with the former lot, will bo tried in the R.M. Court, to-day, providing Mr Fitzherbert arrives from Wanganui, to undertake the prosecution on behalf of the Crown.

Mr Williams has allowed ns to look at his private diary, from which we take the following;—“ July 3—l went to Nonnanby to meet the native policeman who had been sent by Katene to tell Major Brown and myself that the Maoris, under Te Iki, wore ploughing at Mr Finlayson’s. I rode on to the place, and found fourteen natives at work ploughing up a small paddock, and planting potatoes. I told them that I was sorry to find them ploughing, as it would lead them into trouble. Te Iki said that he wanted trouble. At this time Katene came and warned them of their folly, and had sharp words with Te Iki and the rest. Katene said ‘ I will take you all prisoners.’ They answered him by saying 1 KapaiJ After this Major Brown came np and remonstrated with them, saying as they had forsaken him, and would not listen to him, he was sorry for them. He reminded them of what I had said to them when they first turned the surveyors off the Plains—- ‘ that if they would not allow him to do his work in peace. Colonel Whitmore would complete it ; and that it had now been given over to him.’ Te Iki was very impertinent. Major Brown told him to cease ploughing, but he said he would not—he was only ploughing up the lord’s land. I then asked Te Iki to name his lord. He said ‘ Tohu ’ was his lord. He' then ordered Major Brown (meaning that he should bow to the influence of Te Wbiti). Major Brown refused to do so. Wc then left, and I went to Waihi for Major Roberts, who had just started .for Mr Finlayson’s. There were two boys in the ploughing party, who ran away before the Constabulary and Cavalry arrived. We took the prisoners to Hawera, and next morning I started for Carlyle with them.’ ”

Latest. The following telegram was received by Mr Williams from Major Brown last night:— Hawera, 7.33 p.m. “ Have come in with fourteen prisoners, making twenty to day, with the six taken this morning, a son of Kokiri, and Te Manu (who was resecued out of the coach) being among them, I have not had time to get all their names. Expect another party on same land early to-morrow.”