TE KOOTI’S VISIT TO POVERTY BAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1891, 14 May 1889, Page 3

TE KOOTI’S VISIT TO POVERTY BAY.

Tho following article is extracted from Modern Society (an English paper) of the 9th March. It affords a good example of the gross ignorance prevailing at Home in reference to to affairs in this colony: “ The long-expected insurrection of the Maori chieftain Te Kooti has at length begun, and we must expect to hear some very dreadful news from Auckland for the next few days. No more abeminably illtreated and abused man than poor Te Kooti exists, and all this trouble, this expenditure, and this shedding of blood is the result of the cruel way in which that most noble-hearted savage has been treated by the pettifogging and unscrupulous colonial underlings who have made the name of Englishman detested by the Maoris. Te Kooti served for years with the greatest distinction and devotion under Her Majesty’s flag, and gave numberless proofs of most distinguished and moat noble and humane principles. The co-operation of such a man was of course invaluable, and to take only the base and sordid business view of the matter, nothing should have been spared t§ have kept this glorious and high-spirited warrior, who is like one of the heroes of antiquity, friendly to the British interests ; but we have dene just the contrary, we have broken faith with him and his people; his splendid services have been left unrewarded, and he himself has been wantonly and villainously robbed of all his possessions, and then goaded, insulted, and persecuted into open rebellion. Yet when a price was put upon his head some time back by our people, not a traitor was found to give him up and receive the price of blood! One of Te Kooti’s proud boasts is that he never told a lie, or injured a woman or child. How many of our Colonial officials could say the same ? Abundant proofs exist in London of the abominable cruel way in which poor Te Kooti has been treated, and an authentic record of his splendid past services to the Imperial Crown could be easily procured at once. We speak now with the greatest earnestness and sincerity, hoping that some one of our numerous readers will examine into this matter thoroughly, while there is yet time*”