A MAORI OUTRAGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2144, 13 November 1885, Page 2

A MAORI OUTRAGE.

Information has been received in Auckland of a daring Native outrage at Te Wairoa, on Lake Tarawera, on Saturday last. The cause of trouble was the Terrace Hotel, which the Native owners had leased to the late Robert Graham, Since his death they have desired to resume possession, and so notified Mrs Graham; but it was arranged that she should remain in possession pending the settlement of claims for improvements. This arrangement was made on Friday morning, but that night, after Mrs Graham had retired, the Natives entered the house and slept in some of the rooms, Next morning they forcibly broke into Mrs Graham's bedroom, the door of which she had locked, and attempted to eject her from the house. Her screams for help attracted the attention of Sophia, the well-known guide, who, with others of the tribe, came to Mrs Graham's rescue. Ultimately she made her escape to the grounds adjoining the hotel. The hostile Natives meanwhile proceeded to break the doors and windows. A messenger was despatched to Rotorua, and soon after, Constable Abrahams appeared, Mr Johnston, the Government agent, was also appealed to, and he sent a letter to the chief of the Tuhourangi, who is a paid Assessor and Chairman 'of Committee, to beware of countenancing such proceedings, but it appears that this was treated with contempt, as well as the warrants for the apprehension of the offenders'which were issued that night. One of the leading chiefs it is stated, loudly maintained that the law had not yet come into torce in his district. Oil Sunday morning Constable Abrahams arrested two of the offenders, when a rescue was made by the tribe, led on by the chief Kepa, the constable being severely maltreated and bitten by frantic 'savages. AS this juncture Mr Landens, Assistant Road Engineer, lent valuable assistance, and, although he was held by Kepa while the others almost beat his head out of shape, eventually he succeeded, with the assistance of other Europeans, in rescuing the injured constable and placing him inside Mcßae's Hotel. Another desperate struggle here ensued, and in the melee the constable managed to escape to Oliinemutu. Later on Wi Kepa sent a message for the Gevernment agent to come out and see him, and Mr Johnson complied with his request, the upshot of the interview being a promise to him for the appearance of the offenders next day in Court at Rotorua, 4t 2 o'clock on Monday the five made their appearance. Tile proceedings were delayed till the arrival of the Resident Magistrate on 3rd December, bail being accepted from Natives and half-caste members of the same tribe to the extent of £I,OOO.