Mr Bryce and Te Kooti.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4403, 13 February 1883, Page 2

Mr Bryce and Te Kooti.

( [By Telegraph.] (prom otte own correspondent.)

Auckland,' This day

Mb Bryce and party passed through here this morning from Te Awamutu, where they remained for the past two^ays, at 8 o'clock, and proceeded to Maungaorongo, the place arranged for the meeting between Mr Bryce and Te Kooti. The party consisted of Messrs Lewis, Wilkinson, and Butler, and were joined by a number of Europeans,. amongst whom were Messrs EUis, R. E. M. Campbeil, and Dufaur (Auckland). Rewi joined the party at Puanu, together with a number of other chiefs. The distance to the place is about 12 miles, over a fair rolling country. Before reaching the settlement an accident befell one of the buggies, but it was not of a serious nature. They arrived at the settlement at about rll o'clock. Te Kooti, having a long distance to come, had not then arrived, but anxiety was dispelled by the intelligence that he was on his way. The warrior, however, put in aa appearance shortly after 1 o'clock, accompanied by about thirty adherents on horseback. Te Kooti was dressed in a loug silk dust coat, white shirt, pants and leggings, and an umbrella, and physically was very little altered, betraying little if any .anxiety or timidity, and to Europeans who knew him in former days was very little altered. On arrival of the outlaw and party in front of Mr Bryce, he andoneortwoof the principal men dismounted. Mr Bryce, accompanied by Mr Wilkinsou, advanced towards Te Konti, and on meeting bpth shook hands, Te Kooti at the same time addressing a few words of friendship. Bryce and Wilkinson then returned to where they had originally rested. Te Kooti, after waiting a few minutes, evidently in doubt what course to pursue, retired among his followers and partook of refreshments. About an hour'subsequently the natives began to assemble in front of thewhare where Mr Bryde and party were seated, and after a few minutes Te Kooti and his immediate followers took up a position in ;.the centre of the Maories, and directly opposite Mr Bryce, the outlaw standing by himself with an umbrella. Messrs Bryce and Wilkinson then advanced and the former (through Wilkinson) said: "Salutations to you all, to Rewi and Ngatimaniapoto, .to Te Kooti and adherents, —I have heard words addressed to me by Kooti when we met, and if £ understand them rightly they are of good import. This is Jnough of greeting—we will now revert to the business which brought me here to-day." Mr Bi'yce then referred at length to the position which had been taken up by T? Kooti against Europeans in the past, but.that after fighting had ceased Te Kooti had lived quietly and not offended against the law. He had come there that day to see Te Kooti face to face, and hear from his own lips his intention as regards the future, as he heard that Te Kooti, or his people, had made use of threats towards the Europeans, The European population were willing to forgive past offences, with the assurance they would not be repeated in future. Parliament had passed a law by which alt'the politic cal offences arising out of late .troubles might be forgiven. He was there as the. representative of the Government, prepared to extend a pardon to Te Kooti and others, if he, Te Kooti, would stand up like a man and reply to him as plainly as he had spoken, and give assurance that he would live quietly. : : Te Kooti, in reply, commenced by referring to a book, evidently a'record of what had transpired between himself and Mr Sheehan, when Native Minister. Referring to the accusation of Mr Bryce that he had made threats, he stated that he felt incensed about Barlow having captured Wiriiata treacherously. He then stated for the past ten years he had lived a peaceable life and would continue to do so, but if molested by Europeans he would fight again, and his conduct in the past might be taken as" an earnest of- what it wou'd be in the future.

Mr Bryce replied that if he understood aright Te Kooti had promised not to offend against the law in the future, and he would ask him again to repeat what he had formerly said. :

Te Kooti replied that he would fulfil what he had promised.

Mr Bryce then said : "In the name of the Grovernor, and in the name of Parliament, I can assure you that not only you but that all political offenders will ba pardoned, and I will use the utmost expedition in getting .the.pardon gazetted, and within ten days it;will be published. You can now consider yourself a free men, and I am now i prepared to' shake hands with you.". This both did. Mr Bryce then called on Rewi, who said he whs satisfied Te Kooti's intentions were good, but that if Te Kooti was now molested and, fought he (Rewi) would be found on his side. Rewi's remarks were, however, made iv the best possible humor.

Te Kooti having said a lew words, he shook hands with the Government party, and the meeting then dispersed. Mr Bryee's party drove to Te Kooti's tent and bid a fiual farewell. Mf Bryce then returned to Te Awanmtu by Kihikihi. , .