THE PLOUGHING MANIA.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 442, 9 July 1879, Page 2

THE PLOUGHING MANIA.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT. On Saturday evening last, at half-past 7 o’clock, To Iki (leader), Taki Taki, Te Raimi, Te Ikarnkn. Mori, Tamati te Kuku, To Witoi, Rangia Muia, Nga One, Ihi Tun, Te Matol, arrested on Thursday morning for ploughing up Mr John Finlayson’s land at Normanhy, wore brought before Captain Wray and Major Noako, in.the Council Chambers, for examination, on charges to be preferred by Mr Fitzherbert, Crown Prosecutor.

The prisoners were marched into the room, under a guard of Patea Rifle Volunteers, and they ail made themselves very comfortable by squatting on the floor. Mr Charles Wallace acted as interpreter. Mr Fitzhorbert said ho intended to bring three charges against these natives, viz.—lst. Assembling in such numbers as would bo likely to cause a riot; 2nd. Forcible entry on to Mr Finlayson’s land; 3rd. Malicious injury to property. He would take them in the order named, and wished the interpreter to toll the natives the meaning of the first charge, which was the meeting of throe or more persons together, for the purpose of committing an unlawful act. He would now proceed to call witnesses. William Williams, sworn, said—l am* a Laud Purchase Commissioner, living in Patea. I know the eleven prisoners ■ charged by sight. I know them by the names they have given to me. I recollect seeing the prisoners on the 3rd instant, ploughing laud belonging to Mr Finlayson near Normanhy. I believe it was about 7.30 in the morning of the 3rd that I first saw them, and three others were present besides the prisoners. When I came up first, there were three ploughs, six bullocks, and three drays ; the ploughs were at work, and the natives were engaged in ploughing and planting potatos. Te Iki was lighting a fire in the same paddock that they were ploughing in, and a native woman was cleaning potatoes. I asked To Iki if lie was the leader of those men, and he said “yes.” I saw the work in which lie was engaged would lead him into trouble and into prison. 1 spoke in a loud voice, and all the natives could have heard me. To Iki said he was ploughing on purpose to get into trouble. At this stage Katene (a Maori) came up, and in a very loud and angry voice, told them if they persisted in ploughing they would got into trouble, and if they continued, ho would make prisoners of them. Te Iki made answer “ Kapai.” After this Major Brown came up and also remonstrated with Te Iki. All the prisoners were present. Major Brown said that as they had forsaken him, and would not listen to his advice, he was very sorry for them, as since they had chosen to break the law, they would bo handed over to other powers. Te Iki rejoined that he was ploughing his lord’s land. I then asked him who his lord was, and he said “ Tohu.” Tohu ranks next in importance at Parihaka to Te Whili. • I went away, and afterwards returned with the arresting force. It was between 11 and 12 when the arrest took place. The Maoris were ploughing when we came back, and nevnr ceased till the plongrhs wore taken from them. Just before they wore arrested, Major Brown again addressed them, and told them they were being arrested for breaking the law. They were then arrested by unarmed A.C.’s. They did not make ranch resistance when being arrested. Te Iki said he was satisfied to be arrested. I am quite satisfied that the Maoris know that they wore breaking the law, and that they were not doing it merely to plough up the land, but to plough up the feelings of the Government. They said they wore determined to continue ploughing until they were taken, and that when they were taken, others would come to continue the work. I know that other ploughings of a similar nature have taken place in the neighborhood—at juivingstone’s. These ploughings have created feelings of alarm and exasperations of a serious nature amongst the settlors, inasmuch that they have all ceased labor and taken up arms. This particular ploughing was likely to have caused a serious breach of the peace. The land ploughed was a beautifully laid down grass paddock, and it was one none would be likely to plough unless for doing damage. No less force than that which was used would have prevented the ploughing.

Te lid wished to know what crime he had committed. Everything Mr Williams had said was perfectly correct. Farquar Finlayson, sworn, said-—I am a farmer residing at Norman by. My brother and myself were both away from home on the 3rd instant, attending a parade of the Normanby Volunteers. We received information that something was taking place at our farm, which led to our return. I left my arms at Normanby, and went home first, and my brother followed. I found on my arrival that natives were occupying a paddock we were reserving for rye-grass seed.

The paddock belongs to ruy brother. I spoke to Te Iki on my arrival, and asked him why he was ploughing the land up. He would not answer me; he was quite sulky. They continued ploughing, and did not take any notice of what I said. When I saw that they would not stop, and Major Roberts being on the ground, I gave him authority to arrest thorn. They were then arrested by order of Major Roberts. They kept ploughing till the last man was arrested. They ploughed from T to of an acre. The damage clone I would estimate at the lowest at £ls. I was aware of ploughing done at Livingstone’s. These ploughings caused great alarm amongst the settlors, and was the means timt led to their being armed. The ploughing at ray land caused great alarm amonst the settlors at Normanby. I thought at the time it was likely to lead to a serious breach of the peace. I would not venture to remain on the place since then without protection. Some settlers came in from the out-district, and left their places unprotected. On the prisoners being asked if they wished to question the last witness, the following discussion took place: Taki Tula—Who does the laud belong to ? &

Mr Finlayson—The land belongs to John Finlayson, my brother. Tnki—Who gave the land to John Finlayson ? Mr Finlayson—My brother holds the Crown grant for it. Tnki—Who sold you the laud ? Mr Finlayson—The land was purchased from a man named Allen.

Tuki—Who did Allen buy it from ? Mr Finlayson—Allen obtained it from a man named Moeller. Tnki—Who did Moeller buy it from ? Mr Finlayson—He bought it from some of the Wanganui Native Contingent, to whom it was granted by Government lor their services. Tuki—Who gave the land to Government ? The Court declined to allow the discussion to go any further, as the action was not a question of title. After the above, the Dench committed the prisoners to take their trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, to be held at Wellington. Te Iki—l am very glad we are to bo sent to Wellington, as wo shall have a trip in the steamer. Another native here broke in by saying that they (the natives) had the best of it as yet—the scales wore on their side. They would reserve what they had to say till they went to the man who held the scales.

FORCIBLE ENTRY. Mr Fitzherbert proceeded with the second charge, by stating that these natives were found ploughing in sneh numbers ns to prevent Mr Finlayson enjoying peaceable occupation of his land, therefore they had taken forcible possession.

Mr Williams gave evidence also in this case, and stated that when Te Iki was arrested, he said, “ I am willing to

bo arrested, ami oven to be put to death by cruel lying' or banging, rather than I will give up the laud.” The remainder of Mr Williams’ evidence, as also Mr Finlayson’s, was a repitition of the former. The prisoners were committed for trial. MALICIOUS INJURY. In this case Mr Fitzherbert explained that the damage done to Mr Fiidayson’s property by the natives ploughing, exceeded the value of £5, and therefore it would come under the “ Malicious Injury to Properties Act.” Mr Finlayson alone was examined, and stated that the actual damage done by the natives would amount to £lO at the least. At this point Te Iki rose and said that To Whiti and the Government were making fools of them ; and they wouldjhave to make good any damage done to Mr Finlayson’s property. Prisoners wore committed for trial. The Court rose at 11 p.m. Monday, July 7. (Before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M.), at the Court House, Carlyle. Whakawiria (leader), Mitiwai,Whaka Karaka, Rangia Awei, Jackson (halfeast), and Tahnra, were charged on the information of Robert Studholm Thompson with having, on the 4th of July, ploughed up Mr Finlayson’s land at Normanby. Mr Fitzherbert, in opening this case, said the charge was exactly similar to the one of Saturday, but he would bring witnesses to prove that this act was a continuation of the one of the previous day. Robert Studholm Thomson, sworn, said—l am a Licensed Native Interpreter. I live near Normanby. I have been assisting Major Brown during the last few days in his duties as Civil Commissioner. About 9 o’clock on the morning of the 4th, 1 wont to Mr Finlayson’s land, in consequence of information received. I went in my capacity as assistant to Major Brown. When L arrived at Finlayson’s I found the prisoners, ploughing ; there were also two women with them. They had one plough, two bullocks, and one dray. I was present the day before, when eleven Maoris were ploughing in the same paddock. One of the woman was present on both occasions, and was wife of the prisoner Taki Taki. The ploughing by the six

on the 4th was a deliberate continuation of the ploughing on the 3rd. I spoke to them when I first went up, and told them they were very foolish in what they were doing. They continued ploughing, and did not take any notice of me, I then left. I returned in company with Major Roberts, Major Brown, and a body of Constabulary. Major Brown told the natives not to continue ploughing, as they were doing very wrong. All they did in answer was to urge on their teams. They were then arrested by order of Major Roberts, by unarmed A.C.’s. They continued ploughing until they wore removed from the plough. Nothing short of physical force would have stopped them. They had been engaged about three hours before they were arrested. The ploughing that day and day before caused great alarm among the settlers, and unsettled business. This was universal throughout the district. There was danger of the action of the natives leading to a breach of the peace between the settlers and themselves. The whole of the settlers were under arms in consequence of this and similar acts. The settlers were, in fact, arming when I first went down to Finlayson’s. The . Constabulary force has been considerably increased since the ploughing commenced in the district. Mr Finlayson could not have stopped the ploughing by himself. I saw the prisoners arrested.

Whakawiria—l did not coma over to one settler, but to the.whole. I am quite sure that anything I might say now will not go against me on my trial. My god will protect me. He also said —“ lam yonr lord, and Tohu is your lord. lam sweeping my blanket. Do not think I am come to kill one ; 1 have come to kill all, and you in this Court.” Frederick Newsham, corroborated the evidence of former witness.

Whakawiria here showed his contempt for the Court and our power. John Finlayson also gave evidence.

Whakawiria—You speak to me, the lord of the land, I am your lord. Listen to your lord. This is the day of the breaking out. You must obey. This is the day I have been looking for. After a pause, Whakawiria continued —There is but one lord—that is Tohu. He is our king—that is king of all. I am not going to talk of the things of heaven, but of Tohu—the lord of the ploughing, of Parihaka, and Tohu is lord of all. We are ploughing the belly of the Government. I have only the one word to turn yon off of my blanket. When asked to sign his name, Whakawairia said—l will not obey—l feel angry. Write it yourself. (This was to show his contempt for the Court and Government.) Prisoners were committed to tak# their trial.

The charge of forcible entry was then procccdml with, and M ossrs Thomson and Ncwshnm were examined, but the evidence was a repitition of the former. Wliakawiria would insist on lighting his pipe, which had to be forcibly taken from him, and he \vas threatened to be dealt with for contempt of Court. When asked if he wished to question one of the witnesses (Thompson), Whakawiria said “ I say that 1 have no questions to ask of Thompson. Ask questions of mo, your lord. I did not do the ploughing to turn off Finlayson alone, but all the settlers.

Again, with reference to the sameness of the charges—Are you not tired of telling the same tale. Again—you are looking, but you will not find out what is wrapped up or hidden.

The Court, considering it had put up quite long enough with the cheek of this scoundrel, said as he had gone out of his way to show his contempt, he would have to submit to bo locked up by himself. WLakawiria 1 am quite prepared for this. It makes no differencce to me. Prisoners were committed for trial. Mr Fitzherbert withdrew the charge of malicious injury, as be did not think the damage done in this case would come up to £5. The Court then adjourned till 2 p.m. G»--rc-assembllng, To Mann Nni, Taho, Whare Kakaho, Hurl, Hori Tutaione, Te Kingi, Komaha, Te Hangi Kahie, Takatna, Knra, Te Manu Kura, Te Kal Kao, Tame, and Pake Ki, were charged on the information of Robert Studholm Thompson with having, on the 4th July, ploughed the land of John Finlayson,-at Normanby. Messrs Finlayson, Thompson, and Newsham gave evidence in this case, and besides going to prove that one of the ploughs and bullocks used on the previous day, were again used on this occasion, nothing fresh was elicited. The prisoners had no questions to ask the witnesses, but Te Manu was very earnest in saying that the land belonged to lord Tohu; in fact, all things belonged to him. He also said—“ Let us finish our talk. Let Te Whiti and the Government settle this matter.” Prisoners were committed for trial on the charges of riot and forcible entry; and Mr Fitzherbert withdrew the charge of malicious injury, on the same grounds as above. • On leaving the Court, to be again conducted to the Immigration Barracks, the fourteen sang lustily, but not being up in the Maori language, we do not know what the song was about. Tuesday, July 8. Purere, Kohihi, Ponia, Wire, Ko Kai, Ko te Kuhn, and Tumoa—the last batch of ploughers—were brought up for

trial on Tuesday morning, for having/ on the sth July, ploughed the land of Mr John Finlayson, Nonnanby. Mr. C. Wallace brought the charge against the prisoners, and Mr Thompson acted as interpreter.

The evidence in this case was similar to that given in the previous ones therefore it is not necessary to repeat it. Prisoners were committed to taketheir trial.