Poverty Bay Standard. Published, Every Evening. GISBORNE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27. 1883.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1284, 27 February 1883, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. Published, Every Evening. GISBORNE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27. 1883.

Look on that, look on this We will put the “ this” first. From the “ N.Z. Times” we cull the following:— The following extract from Governor Bowen’s despatch to the Home Government, relating the details of the Poverty Bay massacre, may be of interest to many people who, having lately arrived in the colony, are unacquainted with the terrible story:— "The news reached Wellington from the East Coast of the massacre by the Hauhaus, under Te Kooti, of about forty Europeans and twenty loyal Maoris at Turanganui (Poverty Bay). ... In the night, between the 9th and 10th instant, a baud of rebels suddenly attacked the houses of Major Biggs, the Resident Magistrate, and of the other principal English settlers, who were murdered after a brave resistance, tortured and mutilated, with circumstances of the moet revolting cruelty; while their wives, daughters, and families, after being subjected to atrocities too horrible for description, were burnt to death or hacked to pieces. The murderers dashed out the brains of Mrs Wilson’s baby against the floor, and after the head had become a pulpy mass, placed it in her arms before attacking the mother. This unfortunate lady Was then pierced with several bayonet wounds, and left for dead. Many of the atrocities perpetrated, especially on the women and children, are too shocking for description. Suffice it to say that nothing more horrible took place during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. . • . Mrs Wilson’s principal wounds were two in the arm, one of which pinned her to the ground ; another one on the wrist, transfixed her and the baby which lay dead beneath her. Sensible oven then, and hearing the dying moans of her husband, she turned towards him, and Immediately received another bayonet stab in the abdomen. This wound probably saved her life ; the murderers left her, supposing her to be dead ; but even then, before departing, they beat her on the breast with the butt-end of their rifles, of which she still retains the marks. Mrs Wilson sue. combed about ten days afterwards. Can thinking men grasp the contents of the above and reconcile them with the fact of the Hon. (?) J. Bbiue shaking hands with Te Koon, aye and doing so before the Ministerial pardon was granted. Let those living away from the scene of the massacre of 1808 write as they please, we, who are here, know and realise the atrocities which were committed by Te Kooti and his gang. It was not warfare, and, however much the Governmental organs may endeavor to ascribe the brutalities which were indulged in to Maori usage, the blood of the white man should, if it does not, boil when thinking of the fiendish brute with whom Mr. Bryce shakes hands.

Commenting on the cable message from New Zealand regarding the pardon of Te Kooti, the Hobart “Mercury” of the loth inst. says " The opponents of the New Zealand Government will no doubt have much to say regarding the pardon of these offenders, and we could almost write on this side of the water the tirades which will certainly appear in the Opposition Press on the forgiveness extended after many years to these murderers of women and children. And yet, looking at the matter dispassionately, and apart from all political considerations, which probably were the principal actuating motives of the pardon, we do not think the Government can be said to have done wrong. There is no doubt that Te Kooti and his followers were driven into rebellion by their ideas of patriotism, and that the motive dictated their subsequent crimes, and has guided them throughout their late career. Cannot British settlers then afford to feel merciful towards these unfortunate but very intelligent barbarians who in one generation have had to see their lands taken, their tribes decimated, and their whole race fading away before the white man t For our part, wo think that a judicious clemency was never better exhibited than in the instance just supplied by the New Zealand Government.”

We hardly know whether to smile or feel indignant at the opinion of the Hobarton “ Mercury.” Apparently from the tone of the article they would ascribe to Te Kooti the attributes of a Koscrusco, and to his followers, those of a band of patriots. Humbug Te Kooti was nothing more nor less than a dexterous thief, had the good fortune to slide into a position of importance by “ front,” and has so impressed his followers that they believe he is possessed of supernatural powers. There are dozens of natives who believe that he can catch a bullet fired at him from a rifle, and hurl it back with deadly effect at the firer ; that

he can walk on the water, and so forth, and there are now since his pardon has been proclaimed, hundreds of Natives who believe the Pakeha is afraid of him. The “ Post ” says : The following, from the “ Poverty Bay Standakd," is a good specimen of the “ blood and thunder” style of article in which some journals are now revelling on the subject of Te Kooti’s pardon. Our contemporary says : —" We fee! assured that the public throughout New Zealand will protest against the action the Native Minister and the Government have taken in connection with the blood-stained miscreant who is by proclamation to be cleansed of his sins, and go forth once more pure and innocent. Out upon a Government which will so act, or rat her out with it. The groans of tomahawked mother! and the cries of mutilated infants should ever ring upon the ears of those in whose power it appears to be to forgive the crimes of one of the most demoniacal wretches that has ever trod in New Zealand. It is monstrous to think of a pitiless scoundrel like Te Kotrti having his blood-stained hands washed by Ministerial soap, and wiped by Act nf Parliament.”

The “ blood and thunder " writing we altogether deny. We have no interest to serve except that of the people of Poverty Bay, and we again assert that should Te Kooti ever come here he will be killed, and that should Mr. Bryce show his uose iu this place he will need a pocket handkerchief. Yes, and want it badly.