By the Side of the Bubbling Waters.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3438, 31 December 1879, Page 2

By the Side of the Bubbling Waters.

A Quarrel at Botorua, OHINEMUTIT. Monday. ' • There bare been disturbances at Ohinemutu. On Friday morning, Timothy Howard, bailiff, with about 30 natives, rushed Mr Isaac Wilson's hotel, at Ohinemutu. They succeeded in getting possession of the premises, with the exception of the bar, office, ant one bedroom. A native meeting was held the same night, and it was universally understood that the unseemly disturbance | was instigated by Mr Robert Graham,, who, it was stated, had promised to pay the natives from fire to ten shillings each for services in taking possession. In the absence of Justices of the Peace, excepting Mr Robert Graham, Mr Isaac Wilson could obtain no protection, and the police would not interfere until the arrival of their Inspector. During the afternoon Inspector Emerson, Mr Way, J.P., and Mr W. Eeliy, J.P., arrived on the scene. The magistrates, on the information of Mr Wilson, granted a warrant against Timothy Howard for feloniously stealing certain books and chattels. He was arrested on Sunday morning by Constable Graham, and lodged in the lock-up. He was afterwards brought before the magistrates and remanded until Monday. On the application of Mr Wilson, the case was adjourned until Tuesday, awaiting counsel from Tauranga. The bailiff has been allowed bail. The arrival of Inspector Emerson at Ohinematu has had a most wholesome effect on both Maoris and Europeans, the latter, almost to a man being afraid of who might be turned off next. Inspector Emerson distiuctly told the natives that a most disgraceful proceeding had taken place, and, as they had taken the law into their own hands, they mus^ abide the consequences. He was not there to put anyone |nto the house, nor was he there to eject anyone in possession ; but he emphatically declared that no breach of the peace should take place under his •yes ; and he will, I believe, recommend that a Kesident Magistrate be appointed for this place, to direct the police in their duty, who, at the present time, ere nonentities in a case of this kind. This morning a native policeman, who has been acting on behalf of the aggressors, deliberately barrij caded the only door of egress. Oh this coming to Inspector Emerson's ears, he immediately ordered the man to be brought before him, and asked him on whose authority he acted. He had been undoubtedly well tutored, and answered that he acted on his own responsibility. Inspector Emerson gavo him five minutes to remove the obstacle, waieh was done. Nothing could have been more conducive to the position of th* Europeans than the presence of Inspector Emerson. Had he not arrived, tuera it not the slightest

doubt bloodshed would hare been the result. I am informed that a most serious charge will be laid against Mr Eoberfc Graham to-day for inciting natives to riot.