A MAORI FANATIC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2115, 23 October 1890, Page 3

A MAORI FANATIC.

Auckland, Oct. 22.

During the last few days it has been rumoured that a now fanatical fad has been originated by a native named Mahuki, in respect of which some trouble is expected on accouut ot the large influence lent to the movement by such chiefs as Eewi and ethers. Mahuki some years ago, with forty followers, attacked Mr Hursthouse and Mr Newcome, surveyors, and subjected them to cruel atrocities and indignities. He then led his followers to the invasion of the township of Alexandra. They reckoned without their host, however, on this adventure, for the Armed Constabulary, under Captain Gascoigne, stationed at Alexandra not only prevented the attack, but captured the attacking party, and Mahuki and kis friends were brought prisoners to Auckland and tried before Mr Justice Gillies. Mahuki, as ringleader, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment; the others to lesser terms. He has now invented a new religion, and set himself up as a prophet. His vagaries in the neighbourhood of Te Kuiti have given a good deal of uneasiness to settlers. It is reported that his audacity has reached such an extent of development that he has taken possession of some stores at Te Kuiti. The intelligence of theme doings reached Mr Lewis, Under-Secretary of Native Affairs, yesterday. He at once communicated with the Premier at Wellington, and instructions have been received to quell the disturbance and arrest Mahuki. To carry out this order Captain Morrison and a strong force of the Permanent Porce, and : Inspector Broham with ten constables and two detectives, who will be joined at Huntly by a contingent under Inspector Emerson, left at 1.10 a.m, for 'Te Kuiti by special train. Mr Lowis, accompanies the expedition, which will be joined at Otorohanga by Mr Wilkinson, Native Agent. Later. Mahuki was arrested without resistance He is now on his way to Auckland. The natives seemed surprised at the arrival of snob an expedition. Wellington, Oct. 23. The Government have received a long telegram from the Under Secretary re the disturbance. It states that the paity arrived at 7 a.m: in a pouring rain. The stores of which the Maoris yesterday took possession are alongside the railway line. It was arranged that the arms should be left in the train iu charge of the permanent militia and that the arrests should bo made bv the police, who were only armed with batons. On reaching the stores it was found that all the Maoris implicated, except Mahuki himself, had returned to Te Kuiti. Mahuki was at once arrested, handcaffed, and placed in safe keeping. Inspector Broham then proceeded to take evidence as to the outrage. Taonui stated that Mahuki had threatened to tie him up to-day. He (Taonui) as well as all right-minded natives of the place approved of the action taken by the authorities. After Mahuki’a arrest his people began to come in, and ultimately a batch of about twenty—all who could be identified as taking part in the outrage were arrested and handcaffed. Mahuki, who commenced haranguing, was separated from the others. Some of those arrested are mere youths, but all have a fanatical excited look which in their leader amounts to a sort of freney. They appear to desire to pose as martyrs. Eour constables have been left at Te Kuiti, as others of Mahuki’s followers have threatened some of the residents. On arrival at Auckland Major Mair will telegraph to Rewi, who has become a sympathiser of Mahuki, advising him to return home, Mahuki and his people having threatened that if they had not done sufficient yesterday they would to-day do something more notable. The number of prisoners is twenty-two.