THE WAITOTARA NATIVES AT PUTIKI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1022, 4 May 1869, Page 2

THE WAITOTARA NATIVES AT PUTIKI.

When the R.M. Court resumed yesterday, at 3 p.m., there being several Magistrates on the bench, Mr Buller, R.M. made the following statement : He said that before proceeding with the ordinary business of the Court he had some remarks to make on a matter affecting the peace and well-being of the community. Major Noake lmd just reported to him that rumours were afloat in town of an intended outrage on the Putilci natives, in consequence of a popular impression that they were, at that moment, harbouring a portion of Titoko Waru’s forces, and that there was danger of a serious breach of the peace. It was asserted that certain parties were attempting to form a combination for that purpose ; and it had been suggested to him that a public notice should be issued warning the inhabitants against taking the law into their own bands, and denying the statements which had occasioned this excitement in the public mind. This he declined to do, as lie felt that it would be an insult, to the good sense of the community to suppose that a movement of the kind indicated would find general favour or support, and because he believed too strongly in that sense of respect for the majesty of the law, common to all Englishmen, to fear that any outrage would be tolerated by the people of Wanganui. He felt that it was sufficient to warn those who were in danger of being carried away by their passions, of the consequences of such a mad proposal as that hinted at. The public feeling had been, in some measure, excited by injudicious articles, on the subject, which had appeared in two of the local papers articles written, he had no doubt, in good faith, but with a very imperfect knowledge of the facts. It had been asserted that a portion of Titoko d Warii’s force, lately in arms against us, was now located in the Putiki settlement, opposite the town. Speaking with the authority of his official position, which gave him opportunities for the best information, he would give this statement his positive denial. If any such visit of rebels should ever take place here, the public might? depend both on himself and Major Noake doing their duty ; and he would add that no one would be more ready to assist in their capture than the

native chief Kemp anJ those men .of his tribe who had so lately proved their bravery and fidelity. The facts were simply these : Hare Tipenc (of the Ngarauru) and a few of his people, who, on the first invasion of the Waitotara by Titoko Warn, quitted the district —men who rejected the overtures made to them by the enemy and fled on his approach, and who have ever since been located in one of the settlements up the Wanganui river—about, four days ago quietly came down the river iu their canoes to Putiki, where they were kindly received and are now being hospitably entertained by our Putiki neighbours. So far as the authorities are aware these men have not been in arms against 11s during the present campaign, nor are they at present suspected of being in communication with Titoko Waru. Mr Buller said that he trusted this explanation would be sufficient to allay any public uneasiness on the subject, and to prevent anything in the nature of a disturbance. At the same time he felt it his duty to warn the police of danger reported by the officer commanding.