THE MAORI PRISONERS AT DUNEDIN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 7112, 11 May 1880, Page 2

THE MAORI PRISONERS AT DUNEDIN.

(By Telegraph to the Christchurch Press). DtJNEDitf, May 6. As Visiting Justice, Mr Watt, It. M., yesterday afternoon visited the Maori ' prisoners awaiting trial, and told them that winter clothing would be supplied to i such of them as required it, at the same ■ time requesting them to inform Mr Cald- : well o£ their wants. Subsequently Mr ! Watt learnt that the men were dissatisfied with the arrangement proposed, and that ' all wanted to be supplied with like ■ clothing, without reference to what articles they then had. Accordingly he ( again visited them this morning at the \ shed on the reclaimed ground where they | are employed during the day. The conversations were carried on in Maori. Mr Watt shortly addressed the prisoners to the effect that, hearing that they were dis- ' contented with the proposed arrangement, i he desired to hear what they had to say, ' telling them that he would not hear any- \ thing upon the political or legal question of their detention. Tamahuki spoke at some length, demanding that all should ; be dressed alike. He then pruceeded to r talk about their detention, but was not . permitted to speak on this subject. Mr i Watt said that he had nothing to do with . the question of detention. He desired to . see to their bodily welfare, that they had . sufficient clothing and exercise The , Gavernment had provided exercise as a means of health for them in the shape of . supplying greenstone, to become their [ property when cut. Tamahuki alluded [ to Te YVireki Kingi and Te Rangipoapoa i having been supplied with overcoats. Mr Watt said he had personally supplied these articles, but said that was no reason why lie should furnish 137 men with coats. \ He now appeared before them on behalf of the Government and not personally, and desired to know what were their necessities for the coming winter. Te ; Rangipoapoa and Wirenui Kingi briefly addressed those present, pointing out 1 that Mr Watt was then present on behalf of the Government to learn their wants. Kingi complimented Mr Watt on the attention he had bestowed on the prisoners. Before leaving, Mr Watt promised to see the men again on Saturday, when each man would be provided for according to his wants.