POVERTY BAY SETTLERS EXCITED. VIGILANCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED. Gisborne, Feb. 18.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 345, 23 February 1889, Page 3

POVERTY BAY SETTLERS EXCITED. VIGILANCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED. Gisborne, Feb. 18.

At noon to-day the largest gathering ever heldjn the country districts in this part o* the East Coast assembled at Mukaraka, to take action to prevent Te Kooli coming to tins district. There were 500 persons pre" sent, nearly all of whom were country settlers, including most of the leading men of the district. The meeting was a thoroughly representative one. Mr Graham (M.H.R.), Mr Booth (R.M.), and the Inspector of Police were present. Air Walsh, the Chairman, said he was glad to see so many assembled to enter a protest against the conduct of the Government in favouring Te Kooti, and that those who were present were both able and willing to prevent the visit of Te Kooti, as such a visit would bo an outrage upon the feelings of the settlers of the district. Major Westrup explained the object of the meeting. There were certain to be divergencies of opinion as to the best way to proceed, but they were all agreed as to the advisableness of keeping Te Kooti out of the district. Major Westrup detailed the steps taken on various occasions to keep Te Kooti at a distance by representing themabter to the Government. Theusual reply was that Te Kooti being a free man he could not well be interfered with. A great mistake was made when Te Kooti was pax-doned, in not making provision that he should not visit the district. The settlers had done all they could to peaceably prevent the vibib. If Te Kooti came he might never leave again, and would be afccontinual trouble. They would be quite justified in keeping the fellow away. They wore not asked by old settlers to take vengeance on Te Kooti. All that they desired was that his presence here should be averted. The Government, besides pardoning Te Kooti, had given him a grant of land. Te Kooti had told Mr Mitchelson he was not satisfied with the land, and the Minister told him that he would get what he wanted. If the settleis did not help themselves they would get no help from the Government. Mr W. K. Chambers said the man could be turned back without any risk of disturbance if two or three hundred armed settlers took action. Mr Espie blamed the Government for not telling Te Kooti that he must nob come, as his visit would then have been prevented. Mr Hardy said there were fully 600 followers of Te Kooti in the district. He moved, "That this meeting expresses its strong condemnation of the Native Minister and others who feted Te Kooti in Auckland the other day. 3 ' Mr F. Arthur said up-country settlers ■were in terror, and removing their families to town. Four natives then spoke, agreeing to bind themselves and followers to take what steps the Europeans desired to keep Te Kooti away. The Maoris had petitioned Parliament on several occasions to stop the visit, and they were of opinion that Te Kooti's visit would decidedly result in evil. Mr A. B. Newman proposed that a vigilance committee be appointed to carry out their resolves. They should not act with precipitation, as another massacre might take place. If they acted with moderation they would be backed up by the Government ; if they attempted force they had not the means at their disposal to effect their object. it was proposed to send a large force to the boundary of the district, and not let him come, but Mr Graham, M.H.R., did nob favour the force to meet him. If the Government, however, did not come to their assistance they would be compelled to use force to protect themselves. He believed if the Ministry fully realised the strong feeling of the settlers of the district steps would immediately be taken to prevent the visit. The resolution of Mr Newman was carried amid great applause, and a committee appointed. The meeting then passed the following resolutions, which were ordered to be forwarded to the Government : " That a roll be formed of all willing to act under the orders of the committee during the present scare, Major Westruptocommand." ''That the heading of the roll be, ' We agree to act under the orders of Major Westrup in any steps found necessary to prevent Te Kooti entering the district if the Government fail to prevent Te Kooti visiting Poverty Bay ; the undersigned hold themselves in readiness to prevent once and for all the terrorism of the threatened visit ; that a requisition be sent to the Government for 300 stand of arms ;' that Major Ropata, M.L.C., and his tribe be asked to co-operate." Immediately two hundred names were enrolled on the list, and a considerable sum was subscribed to defray expenses. A telegram from Opotiki, two days journey from here, says Te Kooti is near there with a large following of influential chiefs and 200 Waikato natives. An Opotiki tribe of natives had determined to offer him some armed resistance, but desisted on the application of the R.M.

The Hon. E. Mitchelson, Native Minister, and Mr T. W. Lewis, Under-Secre . tary, are in Auckland, and are in re- ; gular receipt of telegrams describing the movements of Te Kooti, the number of, his followers, etc. The latest telegrams received state the small number of followers with which Te Kooti started has been augmented to seventy, including a number of women and children. No members of the party are armed, and the natives who have joined the cortege are described as, being loyal " and well-disposed. Mr; Mifcchelson does not anticipate that. any disturbance will arise because of Te Kooti's .visit to his friends, at Turanganui. The pardoned rebel

is avoiding settlements as much as possible, and appears desirous of reaching his destination quietly, although the Maoris along the route, with their love of a feast, keep swelling his cavalcade. So far, the Government have not received intimation that any settlers are alarmed or leaving their homesteads. It is absurd for Poverty Bay settlers to blame the Government for " not tellihg Te Kooti he must not come ;" the Native Minister used the utmost persuasion possible, and the Government have now more need to restrain the European settlers than Te Kooti. They would, in fact, be more justified in arresting all who took part in the formation of the Vigilance Committee, for conduct calculated to cause a breach of the peace, than they would be in interfering with a pardoned rebel who is on a perfectly peaceful mission. It is sincerely to be hoped that the settlers of Poverty Bay will do nothing rashly, and that no ebullition of lawlessness on the part of Europeans or Maoris will stain the fair fame of the colony.