MR FIRTH AND TE KOOTI.

Southland Times, Issue 1211, 18 February 1870, Page 3

MR FIRTH AND TE KOOTI.

The following is Mr Eirth's own account of his interview with Te Kooti : — I arrived on the ground at one o'clock. As I approached the monument, a Maori advanced to meet me, raising his hat and saluting me as he approached. I dismounted on learning that Te Kooti stood before me. He was attended by two half-caste youths, fully armed; Te Kooti himself being unarmed. His height is about sffc 9in ; he is about 35 years of age, stoutly built, broad-shouldered, and. strong-limbed. His features are not repulsive ; a rather large development of jaw and chin conveys the idea of a man of strong and resolute will. He has no tattoo ; hair black and glossy ; wears a black moustache and short black beard. His dress consisted of woollen cords, top boots, and grey shirt ; over the latter lie wore a loose vest, with gold chain and greenstone ornament. I noticed that he had lost the middle finger of the left hand. Without further ceremony, on dismounting, I said to him: "Te Kooti, your messenger informed me that you desired to meet me. I have come. My ears are open. What is the word you have to say to me ? Eemember I am a settler, without authority from the Government to offer you any terms. I am in the canoe, but I neither direct nor steer." Te Kooti then replied : " I have met you, the friend of William Thompson, the man who had a great regard for the I people. I want to say to you that I will respect his last words spoken to you. I will not molest you or anything belonging to you, or any of your people on this ! land. I wish also to say to you that I am weary of fighting, and desire to live quietly at Tapapa. If lam left alone I will never fight more, and will not hurt man, woman, or child." I then pointed out to him that he had committed many crimes ; that he had killed women and children, both pakeha and Maori without mercy ; and tnßt, in the eyes of us Europeans, he was a murderer — tangata kohura. Te Kooti replied : " The deed 3 I have done may be considered by you Europeans to be murders, but not by the Maoris, and even for them [i.e., the killing? of women and children] the Government is to blame. When I escaped from captivity and landed at Tauranga, my onlywish was to be allowed to go inland and settle quietly. But they would not. They followed me up and we fought. I killed women and children at Poverty Bay, both pakeha and Maori. That gave me a name. Then I went to Taupo, wishing still to remain quiet. But the European and Maori followed me up, and we again fought. Then I went to Tokangamutu. I said to the Governj ment of the Maori and to the Govern- ( ment of the European, ' Let there be no 1 more fighting — let it cease ;' but they did | not listen ; they still followed to molest j me. Now I have come here, not to fight, but to live quietly with Hakaraia at Tapapa. But if the Europeans and the Maoris attack me from every side — if they jump Upon me — I shall turn upon them. I will rise up and fight, and kill all, as before." I said, " This is my word to you — | surrender to the Government." | He said, " No ; I will remain at peace." j I advised him to say to the Government, " Spare my life, and the lives of my followers, and I will give our bodies and our arms into your hands." He said, " I will not surrender." He I continued, " Have you any word from j the Government ?" ■' I replied, " No ; my messenger has not returned ; the road is long." He said, " If they will let me alone, I will live quietly ; if not, I will fight." I said, " If you fight, fight like a man with men, and not with helpless women and children." He replied, "I have heard your words." During this conversation his followers had formed in a half-circle at his back. They wereall well-anned — some with short Enfields, some with breech-loaders, and one or two double-barrelled fowlingpieces — all apparently in excellent order. A well-dressed woman, about twenty-five years old, of a handsome but melancholy cast of countenance, sat at Te Kooti's feet during the interview. I learnt j afterwards that this woman was his wife.

I'said, in conclusion: ",I have heard your words. Remember my words. I go now to my kainga." The' interview then ended, and 'I rode homewards. . On my return to Matamata, Dr Pollen's reply to my telegram had arrived. It ran as follows : "If Te Kooii v-rill sur r . render unconditionally, I will guafantee bis safe conduct to Auckland as ;#._ prisoner." ; ■ I despatched this message to Te Kooti... ', Next day be sent - the following reply . which I telegraphed ab once in Maori to.: Dr Pollen:— ■ „"../.. "To Dr Pollen.— l have seen your letter. My word to you. 1 have already promised Mr Firth "to cease fighting.. Afterwards your letter reachel me. I will stop fighting— stop entirely. Bat as for me, I will not go to Auckland. Let me remain at peace. The killing shall cease. But if you follow me up, let it be so. Sir, cease your punishing of me." ♦ — Mr B. D. Danvers, late officer Chatham Island Guard, has contributed the following to the Auckland Evening News :— " Sir, — Various reports have at different times reached us of the death of the rebel Te Kooti, and many surmises • regarding the truth of these reports ; the pre- ■ - vailing opinion being that the body buried at ~ sea off Mohaka in the Napier province was that of the Hauhau leader, and suoh was my^owa opinion previous to reading in this : momingV : Cross Mr Firth's description of the man he held the interview with, in which. I can clearly and distinctly recognise the veritable Te Kooti of the. . Chatham Islands. The woman also is undoubtedly the widow Martha, to whom he was married by Captain Thomas, as registrar, in the latter part of 1867. This young woman had accompanied her husband (who was taken • prisoner at Te Wairoa, Napier) when sent to the , Chathams, where he died, and she then was taken as wife — after Maori custom— until persuaded by Captain Thomas that they should ba married according to the law o£ the land."