The Native Outrage.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3336, 1 September 1879, Page 2

The Native Outrage.

Arrival of tlio Hon. J. Sheofcaii.

To keep up a continued narrative of the circumstances' attending the recent tragical event at Ohinemuri, we must go back to Saturday afternoon. Mr Sheehan arrived here about 4 30 in the afternoon, and was met by Hia Worship the Mayor and other magnates, and finding that all arrangements had been completed for his conveyance to Ohinemuri, he took advantage of the occasion to INSPECT THE VOLUNTEEBS. These were drawn up in Albert street in the following order : — Hauraki Engineeers, Thames Scottish Battalion, and Naval Brigade. The Hangers and Cadets having been inspected previously, did hot muster. The large number of volunteers present, and their appearance elicited much praise from the large crowd of spectators. At half post four exactly the parade was formed at open order to receive Major Withers, the inspecting officer. After some delay he arrived, accompanied by the Hon. Mr Sheohan, Hia Worship the Mayor, Mr Brodie, County Chairman, and Mr J. E. Mac- \ donald, District Judge. After the customary salute Mr Sheohan and party

were escorted through tho ranks. After the inspection, close column was formed, and the officers called to ihfi front, when a number of prizes were distributed— being handed to the winners by Mrs Perry, wife of Lieut. Perry, No. 2 Scottish. Three cheers for Mrs Perry, called for by Mr Sheehan, were vociferously given. Mr Sbeehan then came forward and addressing the men said :— It has afforded me much pleasure to be able to inspect you this afternoon and to see your large musters, fine appearance and high state of efficiency. I have seen most of the Volunteer corps of New Zealand, but no finer body of men than I have inspected this afternoon. I have to thank the Thames Volunteers for their offer of services when native matters threatened in Taranaki, and I have again to thank you for your offer of services last night and this morning for your own district. I am glad to say the affair at Ohinemuri ia more a newspaper scare than a native outbreak. I am sorry to see you are still without a parade ground. You are at present in a public thoroughfare and on sufference of the police. I hope to be able to rectify this soon, and assist you in obtaining the much talked and much needed parade ground. I believe there are certain matters the officers wish to see me about, and I shall be happy to meet them on my return from Ohinemuri. Though a man of pence now I am an old Volunteer, and shall always exert myself for anything which tends to increase the efficiency of the force generally. I havealready borne testimony in the South to the high standard attained by the Thames Volunteers; and I am pleased to say that you turn out and appearance this afternoon meet my highest approval. Three hearty cheers were given for Mr Sheehan, and the parade marched towards Shortland, the bands playing alternately. DEFARTUBE 01? THE HON. J. SHEEHAN FOB OHINEMtJBI. At six o'clock in the evening the Hon. J. Sheehan, accompanied by Superintendent Thompson, tho Mayor, County Chairman, E. W. Puckey, A. Aitken, G. T. Wilkinson, Major Withers, Taipari, and a number of Natives and Europeans, left the Kopua wharf in the new steamer Vivid en route to the scene of the recent outrage committed by the Ngatihako hapu. The little steamer made a very good trip, and, as the night was fine, with a bright moon, a pleasant time was spent by those on board. The steamer reached Paeroa at 10.30, the large number of passengers making quite a sensation in that quiet township. THB ABBrVAt. The feeling in Paeroa was found to be, that no concern should be attached to the action of the natives who committed the offence, who were but a very small section of a tribe, and have for years been discontented about some land transactions. It is said that warning had been given to the survey party, but as it came through an old woman, and the well known feeling of the whole native population of this district as law abiding and loyal, little attention was paid to the statements of the native woman. ;

, Sunday Morning. At an early hour Tukukiuo and the natives of the neighboring settlements waited upon the Native Minister, expressing regret at the occurrence, and deprecatiog the action of the offending hapu. After breakfast, Mr Sheehan met Tukukino and a large assemblage of natives at the Public Hall, and addressed . them upon the recent action of the NRatihako, and the steps he intended taking under the circumstances. »Mr G. T. Wilkinson interpreted the speech of the Native Minister, which was as follows:—

... I salute you, oh ! people of this district, now .polluted with blood, and am; here owing to the late occurrence, so that proper steps may be taken under the circumstances. I have not called this meeting to address you, but to hear what I bare to say. I want to tell you that the reason of my coming here is about the surrey of that block. I »m Tery dark about the whole matter on account of its being the first of the kind that has taken place in Hauraki, and I hope it will be the last. There are two things of course— the question to the title to the land, and the right or wrong of the surveying; the other is entirely distinct from that—the shooting and wounding of the man, and, while I am quite prepared to discuss with you the fairness and the unfairness of the surrey, I intend to take the people who wounded the man. I am going out to their settlement for the purpose of seeing them ; if they are there I will take them back with me ; but if they hare fled from justice, then I will do the next best thing; I will take their land. I shall hold their land until the people are giren up. lam quite aware that this is a thing done without the consent of the people of the Hauraki. It is eridently the act of a rery few people, and those same people hare been rery troublesome for the last two or three years. I intend to make use of the present opportunity to stop them from making troubles of a similar kind again. I hare been very patient .with them for the last two or three years, and now they- .have got*e so far as to attack the lives of persons acting lawfully making a surrey. I intend to go further, and with that object I intend to open a road to the Thames, and take land for the railway and the wire; When I have arrested them and got these things I will be prepared to say that I have got satisfaction for this outrage. But for this trouble I would hare been content to have waited quietly and worked the thing out. The best way to bliow that you are not parties to this business is to let the thing be done quietly. Ido not want to hear anything from you; these are my own intentions, and when I return to this ■settlement I will be rery glad to have a talk with you. During the meeting Superintendent Thomson had collected a number of volunteers, Armed Constabulary, and members of the Thames Scottish, who were to accompany the .Native Miuister to the settlement of the Ngatihako. Tukukino seeing the determination of Mr Sheehan, interviewed him, and after some trouble got him to permit his people with Mr Puckey to see the Natives before the volunteers went there. At 12 o'clock the Vivid with Mr Puckey and a number of natives started up the Waihou. On returning to Paeroa Major Withers' parade of No. 3 Company of the Scottish was inspected by Mr Sheehan, and in reply to some requests from members of the corps, promised a sum of £50 towards the extension of the Paeroa Hall, and if possible a drill instructor would be appointed. DENOTATIONS. A deputation of residents headed by Mr 0, F. Mitchell, waited upon the

Native Minister, and pointed out the re* quiruments of the township, especially that of telegraphic communication with the Thames and the rest of the colony. The promises also that road works would bo proceeded with, and also that a start with the railway was to be made in Paeroa had never been carried out. Mr Shechan said ho would telegraph to the Minister of Public Works for permission for Mr Beera to prepare plans for sections on this portion ot* the line. The deputation also asked that Mr Mitchell be appointed lo the Commission of tho Peace, which Mr Shechan said he would recommend.

Mr Mitchell remiuded Mr Sheehan that the Native Lands Court adjourned from the Thames had never been held in Paeroa at wag stated.

Mr Sheehan said a Court would be held in Paeroa in November next, and further informed the meeting that the Government had required the interests of all Europeans in the Koniata block. Mr Logan referred to the necessity of the Government acquiring Native lands in the neighbourhood, stating that private persons were negotiating for all lands through which the proposed railway was | expected to run. In reply, the Native Minister said ! private purchasers would probably find themselves in the wrong shop. He also told the deputation that lie intended to ask for a large rote of money for road works throughout the island, and would in the estimates specify the sums for each district. A number of other matters were laid before Mr Sheehan after which the deputation withdrew. The ste«mer with Mr Puekey and the natives, who went to interview the malcontents, returned at 5 o'clock, but without the offenders. The whole population of Paeroa congregated at the landing to meet the steamer, and speculation was rife as to the result; but the general opinion seemed to be that little success would be the reward. From the natives who accompanied Mr Puckey it was ascertained that the murderers made no secret of their crime, but cooly admitted, and attempted to justify the act. Pakara, the leader, said, without any hesitation, he was the first to fire at the survey party, and that his weapon was charged with shot. He did not give warning, but got up as close as possible to the, men, and then cooly took aim, determining to kill the man Me Williams. Epiha, his second in command, followed the same course but his gun was loaded with ball cartridge. The men seemed very sulky and determined, and threatened if any attempt was made to arrest them to shoot all who approached. Pakara stated that he thought the man Mo Williams was killed, and it was he who cut off a portion of his hair so that he might prove to the tribe that the man was dead, and the war party had carried out their instructions. The natives with Mr Puckey expostulated with Pakara, pointing out how wrong it was for them to take the course they did, but it seemed to have very little effect upon the malcontents. TUITJBK QPBBATIOKS. . Upon the result of the mission being made known to Mr Sheehan, he at once gave instructions to arrest the men, and for that purpose Superientendent Thempaon, with Sub-Inspector Kenny at once took steps quietly to organise a force with which to proceed during the night to the settlement of Pakara. Mr Puckey, F and Mr Wilkinson also remained behind to assist in the capture. By the Vivid Mr Sheehan left Paeroa intending to catch the steamer Annie Milbank, specially sent from Auckland for him, but owing to some delays, the Vivid only reached off the. Goods Wharf at one o'clock, the Auckland steamer in the meantime having left, assuming Mr Sheehan was not coming.