Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE: THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1888.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1316, 14 June 1883, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE: THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1888.

Mb Allan M'Donald is reported to have stated in his speech to his constituents at Ormond that notwithstanding l he fact of Te Kooti having been amnestied, that distinguished murderer was still liable to be arrested and tried for the murder of Te Wabihi, the old man thrown overboard from the Rifleman on her voyage from the Chatham Islands. It is generally supposed that poor old Wabihi suffered death at the hands of Te Kooti on account of his supposed Jonah-like attributes. Be that as it may, the remarkable fact remains, that no sooner was he committed to the deep, bound hand and foot, and sacrificed apparently on the altar of superstition, than the wind changed, and the ship sped rapidly on her way. Like many other popular notions', this one respetcing the cause of Wabihi's death is equally delusive. Far more practical considerations than the supposed one weighed with the astute Te Kooti, and incited him to compass Wabihi's death. Wabihi was a strong disbeliever in the new religion founded by Kooti at the Chathams. It was said Wabihi, owing to having been misled by thefalse doctrine propogated by Kebeopa, the Hauhau.tl.at led to his (Wabihi's) deportation. Profiting by experience he, therefore, rigidly opposed I’E Kootiism in all its shapes and forms. Kooti, according to his wont, having previously besmeared his garments with a sulphurous preparation, would invite nis little band of devoted followers to meet in some recess, where concealed in the depths of darkness, he taught his disciples to pray. He would declare to them that he acted under Divine inspiration. A secret ignition of the sulphur quickly did the rest. The flames, investing him with a halo of blue light, gave the High Prie-t a supernatural appearance, that readily convinced all, but the sceptical Wabihi, that he was by the gods themselves aided. Wabihi openly scoffed, and did not conceal from the Government officers that danger lurked beneath -the tenets taught by Kooti. To Te Ko >ti all this was known, and how to rid himself of this Didtmus sorely exercised his mind. The occasion presented itself on board the Rifleman. Te Wabihi, when the schooner was about mid-way between the Chathams and New Zealand, was called from below. Apprehensive of danger, he nevertheless ascended. His wife speedily followed him on deck. She found her husband’s hands tied behind his back by Natives named PeneteOmutu and RukaWeretaa, acting under Koon’s orders. The wife in a state of frenzy clung to her cord-bound husband. Four men ■ dragged her away and threw her down ; the ship’s hold. Te Warihi calmly awaited the next act in this tragic per1 formance. “ If,” said he “ ye wish my “ death because I do not believe ; it is “ well. My blood is but a drop to i “ what yet will flow I” and asking his murderers to be kind to his wife and child, he was cast into the sea And ' the wind thereupon became fair. < >n the authority of Mr. Allan Me Donald we learn that Kooti is liable , to be tried for the part he took in causing Wabihi’s death. We take

the liberty to doubt it When the Hon. Mr Bryue so warmly shook Te Kohn’s blood-stained hand at Manga-a-Rongo a clear receipt was given tor all Kooti’s iniquities. Mr McDonald will soon have the opportunity of asking the Hon. the Native Minister the 1 question from his place in the House, and it will be interesting to observe the reply. Kooti will shortly visit llauraki, and has invited some of his old companions in arms now resident in the Bay to accompany him thither However much we disapprove of Mr Bryce having given carte blanche to Koott to travel whithersoever he desires in this country, the fact that such liberty has been given cannot be surmounted ; and to arrest K<»OTI for any crime committed at an anterior date, under the pretence that the general amnesty did not include tha' offence, would be treachery, a term obnoxious to English-speaking Go vernments.