TE KOOTI'S VISIT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1858, 26 February 1889, Page 2

TE KOOTI'S VISIT.

Auckland, Feb. 23. It is improbable that, in the event o£ trouble on the Bsat Coast, the Auckland Volunteers will bo oaued up. Mr Mitohel«oa was advised to-day that he could get 200 men for immediate service, and 300 more in a few days. Qisbobhb, Fab. 23. To Kooti has replied a telegram oE tbe Premier telling him “ You shall not come," that ho will oomr, Tha Wairarapa is being hurried ptsfc Napier to reach hare bj 7 o’clock this evening with Armed Constabulary. _ The troops will msrch at daylight morrow. They go on till they get Te Kumi He will be arrested and shipped away from Opotiki when captured, Te Zooti offers to disband hi* followers and come on alone, but Government will act agree. Feb. 24, Tho troops sect par Wairarapa were not landed till ten o’clock fchia morning. They were marched to the drillshod, where bedding was provided. At 530 a.m. tho buglers of the local corps sounded the assembly. The townspeople then began to gather, and by--6,30 a.m., when tho troops moved out, tha streets were crowded. Tha B»st Coast Hussars led them, fallowed by the constabulary in vehicles. The rear consists of 50 Ngatiporouas, who were sworn its and armed last night. Captain Winter was in charge of the Hussars, Captain Messenger of tho Constabulary, and Msjor Bopata of the Ngatiporoua contingent, tha whole being under Major Porter’s command. Camp will be formed this evening in the vicinity of Barker’s station, Potutu, about thirty-five miles from town. News was reoaivad last night from Opotiki that Te Zooti intended breaking camp this morning, and proceeding towards Gisborne. The distance from where he was camped to Gisborne is eighty-five miles. To-morrow ho will be met and ordered to return. Wellington, Feb 23. Mr Bush, B.M. at Tauranga, wires to tho Native Department that he and Wi Pore had an interview with Te Kooti, and ho refused to return for reasons already given. He said that many people had been killed on account of jealousy and grudges, tbe same as Christ had been, and he was only doing as they did. If he was killed he oould not help it. Mr Bush pointed out that his persistence might end in the death of others. Te Kooti said, “No, I shall kill no one, nor will my followers.’’ After further conversation, in whioh Mr Bush urged him to give way to tho advice of tha Government, he seamed to admit tho force of tha argument, but said ho must go to Tauranga to see his relation* and make peace. Mr Bush told him that if he persisted, the Government would be compelled to arrest him. Te Zooti said he would be glad to be arrested by the hands of his father, because ha would then break through his own peacemaking, Mr Bush concludes ; “ I believe he will go ; it appears he is under some religious spell, and acts as one who does not core what faacomss of his body if his soul is saved.’’ Feb. 24. The officers of the Telegraph Department have been in attendance at Wellington and Gisborne all day, but there is no further development of the Te Kooti trouble, beyond the fact that troops have gone out to arrest his further progreis. Tho residents at Opotiki have telegmuhed to Government for ammunition. Mr Fergus believes chat the residents fear that, in the event of hostilities breaking ouh and Te Kooti being worsted, he would in his ro'raat commit depredations at Opotiki. As the requosfc was received only to-dsy no steps have been taken. The , Minister of Defence states that the menfc will not require tho assistance of any Volunteers outside Gisborne, as he is of opinion that there are sufficient there in case of emergency. By (he Wairarapa the Government forwarded to Gisborne a large quantity of ammunition.