THE COROMANDEL ABDUCTION CASE.-MAKAORE IN TROUBLE AT SHORTLAND.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 245, 22 July 1872, Page 2

THE COROMANDEL ABDUCTION CASE.-MAKAORE IN TROUBLE AT SHORTLAND.

Ol’R readers will remember that not long ago the wife of Mukaore, a well-known native, was forcibly abducted from her luiS'iand, at Coromandel, during the sitting of tiie Native Lauds Court. Mr Maclean (tne Native Minister), Dvßoileu, Mr Mack ay, and others skilled in Maori diplomacy were employed to re-in-nate tli Imsbr.n in his'.o jugal rights, witho it success, it appears th u the tying up of Makaore and carrying away his wife to an island was not sumeieiit for the persons who so treated linn, for they afterwards brought Ins wife to Shortlatni and placed her in an hotel, where her husband was denied an interview with her. When the other natives who had her iti charge became aware of Makaore being in Shortlaud, they removed her to the native settlement, where she remained until yesterday morning, when the natives, apparently fearful of Makaore being again near at hand iu quest of his wife, took early departure down the Kauaorauga steam iu a boat bound for Coromandel, but they were too late for the tide aud got stuck on the fiat between Graliamstown and Shorthand. Makaore being on the alert gaiued tidings of the departure of the party and of their whereabouts, and immediately went in search of some Europeans to accompany him to the boat, and to act as witnesses, and also to assist in time of need if required. It appears that lie started with five or six Europeans, and got as far as the boat, but his wife was not allowed to leave and it was agreed that she should be taken to Shortland in a canoe. At this time the alarm had been giveu, and two policemen, and a mob of Maoris were soon on to the scene of action. The woman this time was placed in the canoe, in charge of two natives, and started for Sliortlaud up tne stream. The husband, with the mob which had also congregated, also started for the same place, along the said bank, aud reached the beach first so as to be ready for the arrival oc tile canoe. When tiie canoe reached the wharf the woman came on shore in charge of the anduetors, the husband being ready to meet her. When she advanced from llie canoe he went forward and took hold of her, and immediately two or more Maoris tried to take her from him, aud treated linn rattier roughly. This continued until they got amongst the watermen's boats on luo beach, wueu impart went lorwaru anu tried to get Makaore to let go the woman, nut he would not do so, aud a sctiffij look place. As tur as could lie seen, lie gave Taipari and one or two otliers some “ hard knock.,’’ ami was left victorious, so far as the figut was concerned ; but in.lhe meantime ms wife was oeing led away, and was taken out of Ins sight near Mr Rose’s hotel. Uu reaching Grey-street, Makaore saw Ins wile some distance ahead, going iu the direction of , L’aip.m’s house. Makaore no sooner saw her than lie r.iii as fast as lie could after her; uml on passing the corner of tiie Police Otlioe was again assaulted uy several natives, oil? man in particular appearing to nave it in ior nun, aud logctucr Wuu Taipari, prevented Makaore’s funner progress, out wmie ho was so Held by Taipari tne otner pany got some severe knocks. Alter a time tiie woman was lost sight ot (Taipan’s residence, it is belie veil, formi g. a temporary asylum tor tier), and Makaore now being ireed by ms antagonists, a regular light was indulged in between mm and Ins chief opponent, whose name lie does hut know, the fight went on lfoui tne Police Office col lier to the oilier end of the omldujg. From the first Makaore had toe best ot it, as the unknown uian uad •• leckoned without ins host," tor ms race was sor. ly di.-fi o ur o by tne heavy blows ne got from Makaore, woo fought like a “ fancy mail." His antagonist, alter receiving a good deal of punishment, was about to “cave in," wlieu tne police took them botli iu charge, iu order, it is found, to prevent any more serious disturnauee than what had already taken place. The European simply was from the first with Makaore, and had not tiie police been present, we have no doubt but that Makaore aud his wite would have been before now in some place of safety together, away from bis enemies. It does a t pear strange that, after the Government sending Mr Mackay aud others to Coromandel, aud putting the country thereby to considerable expeuso by chartering steamers, etc., that nothing was definitely settled iu connection with the case. The result has been thafa mob of infuriated natives assemuied iu our principal thoroughfare, close to the Police Court, created a riot, and otherwise behaved themselved in a manner most disgraceful. The Maoris are always calling out for “one law for us, aud one for the Piikeha." It is a great pity their request is not acceded to in the fullest sense, if all our officials held the same views respecting the natives as Major Edwards, the K.Ai. for Wbaugauui, does, we should soon teach these people how to respect the law. He is reported to have said ou taking office, “These natives are always lulling out for equal laws. All I can say is ttiat while I hold office they snail have it to their hearts’ content.” Very soon a.ter this he had to adjudicate ou some cases ot larceny against natives, wueu, instead of lelliug tueiii oit oy paying, as usual, a money fine, he gave tueiii a long term of imprisonment. The result was great dissausiaction amongst the natives, woo prayed the Government to “remove tiie man of sin from tueir district," out tne authorities did not grant the request.

Acan.idaic ;o: a situation as school-tea-clur in Eioiida, b_-iug asKcil itie shape ot ihe cuitb, iejl«M, " Well some to.ks likes it rouud, and some likes u fiat, and l\ejinueriy ceacueo u bota wajs.”