PAORA TOKI.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 86, 18 January 1872, Page 3

PAORA TOKI.

To the Editor of the THAMES GUAIiIiIAX. Sir, —As a resident in this district, can you inform me bow is it that wo have some of the most blood-thirsty Alaori rebels roaming at large up here? One in particular 1 allude to is Paora Toki, who caused some little excitement a few months since at Shorthand, by giving in bis adherence to the Government in tbe presence of the Hon. Donald AlcLcan, and at the same time banding over to tbe latter party a revolver ; and where tiic weapon came from, there appears a doubt. Of course, it was rather pleasing to the Hon. Donald AlcLean.

Perhaps only a few of the public arc aware that this Paora Toki was one of tiic principal generals of Te Kooli’s band, and if report says true —which the writer of this lias no doubt about whatever—lie was one of the most horrid villains, and was foremost in all the butchery and murders that were committed on the East Coast by that party on Europeans as well as Alaories, and not even a child was spared that came within their reach.

For wliat reason I want to know is why tliisscoundrel wasnot returned to his own place (Napier). lam sure there is plenty of room for him there, as well as an eye could have been kept on him for tbe future.

We have now a considerable number of Europeans here at the present time, employed on tbe telegraph line, and they, of course, cannot avoid falling in with wliat few Maoris that arc about, but when they happen to meet this Paora Toki, and hear bis history, they are dumbfounded with astonishment, and look upon him with abhorrence, and wonder how lie has escaped the punishment be so justly deserved. Kercopa was bad enough, but not a patch on this mimignted rascal. He sent bis whaleboat down last week to Air Puckey for provisions, and it returned here minus anything. Tbe crew said that Paora's message was telegraphed to tbe Government in Auckland, and no reply was received up to their leaving. There is no doubt this fellow lias received good value for the revolver, and whv the Government hold any intercourse with a vagabond like this is a mvstery. However, bis future residence hero seems rather precarious, bis days. I trust, are numbered, and tbe sooner be is shifted out of this the better for bis health. —I am, &c., A Resident. Jlikataia, January 13, 18.-2.