GROWING EXCITEMENT IN POVERTY BAY. THE PREMIER AT GISBORNE. Gisborne, February 21.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 345, 23 February 1889, Page 4

GROWING EXCITEMENT IN POVERTY BAY. THE PREMIER AT GISBORNE. Gisborne, February 21.

Tun Te Koobi Vigilance Committee met < to-day. The following telegram was received from the Hon. Mr Fergus : — "Have received your telegram, and regret so much excitement has arisen over Te Kooti's proposed visit to the East Coast. The Government must decline to furnish ammunition as requested, as there is no reason to suppose Te Kooti is likely to cause a breach of the peace. The Government regret they cannot legally prevent Te Kooti's visit, but they are still endeavouring bo dissuade him fiom visiting a place where public feeling is so strong against him. The Government relies on the settlers in and around Gisborne to aid them to the fullest extent in their power to allay the undue excitement which has arisen." Mr Graham, M.H.R., stated that the Government did not yet grasp the situation. They looked upon danger as likely to arise from the action of relatives who had lost friends at the hands of Te Kooti. Te Kooti, however, had been a standing menace to the district for years past, and all the settlers were unanimous that he should not come. There was not, as the Government thought, a danger of a disturbance between the two races. The utmost desire uf the settlers was to keep the peace, and they had no feeling of enmity towaids the weak-minded followers of Te Kooti. There was a suggestion that Mr Booth, R.M., should go to meet Te Kooti, and it was a very good one. He should be backed up by a torce of volunteers who would keep in the background, but assert themselves if the measures ot Air Booth failed. Major Westrup stated that the Government had nob hitherto received a lull explanation of the grounds why Te Kooti should not come. His influence was gaining every day. Four fifths of the natives about Gisborne weieHauhaus. There would only be 50 or 80 men that would not join him when the time came. The natives looked upon him as more than a man, a god, and would do whatever he told them. Toey would join his side from fear. The Government did not know this. It was probable Te Koobi's route would be through the Urhvera country, where the peoplo were all strong adherents of his, and. it vva3 quite probable he might have arms and stores there, sufficient to supply a large force. It was stated that the natives about Karaka were acting in an overbearing manner to Europeans, and in the district a feeling of antagonism prevailed. Messrs Graham and Kenny expressed an opinion that the volunteers should not go out to meet Te Kooti without the consent of the Government, as trouble would come of it. It would be the height of folly to do so rash a thing, but they should leave no stone unturned to prevent Te Kooti coming, provided they acted in a constitutional way. The Committee were addressed by their solicitor, who said an arrest could be made of a band of moie than three persons, through whom there was danger that a breach of the peace might be occasioned, and it was stated that an information on those grounds will be sworn. The following telegram was ordered to be sent to the Minister of Justice :—": — " The Committee is of opinion, from the nature of the replies received from the Minister of Justice, that the Government do not realise the real danger. It is the wish of everyone in the district to keep the peace ; at the same time, every European settler, and a large section of the natives, including the whole of the Ngatiporoa, consider Te Koobi's presence here, pardoned or not pardoned, an insult and standing menace to the peace of the district. It is not alone the followers he would bring with him, but he would be joined by a large band of fanatics here, who are making great preparations to receive him, and who are already taunting the natives who fought against Te Kooti before as to what they will do when Te Kooti comes. Notwithstanding the Government assurances that there is no fear of his breaking the law, we claim to know much better than the Government in what the danger consists. We are so confident that mischief will ensue if he visits the district, peaceably or otherwise, that we are determined to prevent him. The Government, if they wish for information as to the danger of a breach of the peace if Te Kooti comes, should obtain it here, not from outside sources, as to Te Kooti's intentions, and appoint someone to warn Te Kooti back, and in the event of his persisting to come on, exercise its undoubted legal power to arrest him. An information can be laid for unlawful assembly, vide Fitzjames Stephens's Digest, Article 20, page 40." It was suggested that the Committee should ask Sir H. Atkinson to come to Gisborne from Napier by special steamer, as if the Premier were here he could see for himself that definite action should be taken by the Government. The following was accordingly forwarded to the Premier, now at Napier :—": — " It would satisfy the district if you can possibly come here, and assure yourself that the people are in an alarmed and excited state, desirous of keeping the peace between the two races, but Europeans and friendly natives are determined to keep Te Kooti from coming into the district if necessary by force. As a proof of the existing feeling, settlers have left their homes, and are in town with their wives and families." A meeting of Justices of the Peace, to make a representation to the Government, will be held to-morrow ; also, a meeting of citizens to decide what steps shall be taken. The Committee request all persons owning firearms and ammunition to furnish a return to the officers appointed to receive such information at various places throughout the country. Major Ropata and the Ngatiporoa tribe have been communicabed with, and these, with the Mohaka and Ngaitai tribes, will be asked to hold themselves in readiness. A letter from the Ngaitai tribe, near Opotiki, states that on receipt of the information of Te Kooti's coming, all the Ngaitai

immediately took \ip arms to fight against his coming. This party who intend to obstruct are at Opotiki. Wi Pere has induced them to abandon the intention of going to Whakatane to stop Te Kooti, and return him to his kaioga. Enough Ngaitai are waiting on the watch for his arrival. Later. The Premier left Napier to-night on his way here, coming in a special steamer. The excitement re Te Kooti is more intense. Families from the country are coming into town for protection. The chiefs of the Tuaranga and Ngatiporoa tribes sent a telegram to the Native Minister strongly condemning Te Kooti's visit, and stating that if he is not stopped at Opotiki they will immediately rise and stop him. TheNgatiporoa are the strongest tribe on rhe coast, and could place 700 or 800 men in the field. They are vehemently opposed to Te Kooti, against whom they fought in the last war.