Mr Bryce and Te Kooti.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4413, 24 February 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

Mr Bryce and Te Kooti.

(FBOM OtJE OWN COEBEBP.ONDENT.)

Auckland, February 13. 'Mr Bryce and party passed thr-.!;gh here this morning from Te Awamutu, where they remained for the past two days, 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, Wilkin son, and Butler, and were joined by a number of Europeans, amongst whom were Messrs Ellis, B. E. M. Campbell, and Dv faur (Auckland); Bewi joined the party at Fuanu, 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 11 o'clock. Te Kooti, baviDg 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 an appearance shortly atter 1 o'clock, accompanied by about thirty adherents on horseback. Te Kooti was dressed in a* long 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 and oneor twoof the principal men dismounted. Mr Bryce, accompanied by Mr Wilkinson, advanced towards Te Kooti, and on meeting both 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 the whare where Mr Bryce 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 Bewi and Ngatimaniapoto, to Te Kooti and adherents,—l have heard words addressed to me by Kooti when we met, and if I understand them rightly they are of good import. This is enough of greeting—we will now revert to the business which brought me here to-day." Mr Bryce then referred at length to the position which had been taken up by Te 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 Tc 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 U9e 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 all the political offences arising out of lato 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 gire 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 be had made threats, he stated that he tell incensed about Barlow* having caplured Winiata 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 would be in the future. -

Mr firyce replied that if he understood j 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 Baid. TeKooti replied that he would fulfil what he had promised. Mr Bryce then said : " In the name of

the Governor, and in the name of Parliament, I can assure you ili«it not only you but, that all political .(Fenders will be pardoned, and I will use the utmost expedition in geitifu: the pardon gazetted, and wifhin ten dajs it; will be published. You can now consider yourself a free man, and I am now prepared to shake hands with you." Thi- both did. Mr Bryce then called on Rewi, nho srfid he whs satisfied TeK -oti's intentions ■wcr« good, but that if Kooli was now molested and fought he (Rewi) would bi? foun:i o:i his &idi«. iu-.vi's remarks w.vre, however, made in the best possible humor. Te Kooti having said a few words, he Bhook hands with the. Government party, and the meeting then dispersed. Mr Bryce's party drove to Te Kooti's tent and bid a final farewell. Mr Bryce then returned to Te Awarautu by Kihikihi.