PUBLIC MEETING AT GISBORNE MAORIS READY TO FIGHT Gisborne, Feb. 22.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 346, 27 February 1889, Page 5

PUBLIC MEETING AT GISBORNE MAORIS READY TO FIGHT Gisborne, Feb. 22.

A meeting was held here last night re Te Kooti. The attendance was about 800. The Mayor presided. The Chairman said he could almost assure them Te Kooti would not come to settle in any part of the district, or within thirty miles of Gisborne. He counselled moderation Mr DeLatour spoke, and blamed the Vigilance Committee for rousing the pasfaions of the Ngatiporou, the most warlike tribe in the North Island, who, if they took the field against Te Kooti, could not be controlled, and a tribal war might result, disastrous to the colony and the district. Other speakers said the settlers must adopt means of self-preservation, and their remarks found favour with the audience, who oxpressed great enthusiasm and determination to resist Te Kooti's visit. Several native-chiefs also addressed the meeting. Wi Kaha, a Ngatiporou, said he had had an interview with the Premier, and told him the tribe would muster and stop Te Kooti between Opotiki and Gisborne. Sir H. Atkinson told him the Ngatiporou were under Major Ropata, but the speaker said he was a relative of Eopata's, and would never consent to Te Kooti visiting Poverty Bay. He disapproved of Ropata consenting when in Wellington in 1887 to Te Kooti's visit. If he raised his hand, 300 Ngatiporou would follow him, and the Premier being in the district would not prevent him raising his hand. Hoari Ruru, a chief of a Gisborne tribe, stated he would place 200 armed men in the field. If a rebel like Te Kooti had been pardoned for atrocities, surely the Government could pai'don loyal natives for keeping him away now. Their grievance had lasted for twenty-one years, and must outweigh the four years' pardon of the (Government. Desmond, a pakeha emissary from the Hauhaus, attempted to read a message from them, but was turned out of the building, amidst a scene of great uproar. A deputation from the meeting waited upon the Premier, asking his attendance, but he declined for administrative reasons. Resolutions were passed endorsing the action of the Vigilance Committeeappoin ted to raise funds and equip an armed force. Major Ropata arrived in Gisboi'ne by the Maitai last night, and had a long interview with the Premier this morning. Three hundred armed and mounted Ngatiporou are on their way to Gisborne, and are expected to-night or to-morrow morning. A large number of natives are in the streets here. Ropata and Henare Potae, an influential chief, conversed in the open air, surrounded by crowds of natives. At the termination of their discussion, a war-song was chanted by the Maoris. The excitement is increasing, especially among the friendly Maoris. The Makaraka public school has been closed, owing to families having left for Gisborne.