THE SHOOTING CASE AT OHINEMURI. PURSUIT OF THE MISCREANTS. CLEVER CAPTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1541, 20 May 1882, Page 2

THE SHOOTING CASE AT OHINEMURI. PURSUIT OF THE MISCREANTS. CLEVE R CAPTURE.

Natives as a rule seem to labour under the impression that when they commit a crime iv European territory, and are successful in evading the police for a few months that the law of the pakeha like their own does not outlive the passion for revenge, and that after the lapse of some time the crime is forgotten, and consequently they become free from further molestation. In August, 1879, it will be remembered an attempt was made to shoot a surveyor, named McWilliams, who was engaged surveying for bhe Go1 vernment, at a place called Rotokohu, ' near Ohinemuri. The assassination was attempted by two natives named Pakara 'Te Paora and. Epiha Taha, and the result of the attempt was that McWilliams was severely, though not fatally wounded. The miscreants were successful in effecting theii escape to the King Country, and up to the present have been successful in evading the police. Thinking that their crime had ere now been forgotten, and that the law would no longer trouble them, 'they put in an apperance at Whatiwhatihoe, where they were indeutified by Mr Bush, R.M., who on healing the two men were about to return to the | Thames through the Waikato settlements, communicated the fact to the proper authorities. The capture of the outlaws was placed in the hands of Sergeant McGovern, tho officer in charge of the police in this, district, and he telegraphed his iusti notions to the police in the various townships, who, since Wednesday last, have been on the alert. Every read in the district was carefully guarded, but nothing was heard of the men until yesterday morning, when it became known that they had come down the Waipa to William Barton's settlement at Karakariki, near Whatawhata, where they intended remaining for the night. Sergeant McGovern immediately concentrated his force, and proceeded to make preparations for a raid upon the settlement, the lesult of which, while we are writing we are anxiously awaiting. Later. The two natives wanted were captured yesterday on the Waipa river about four miles from Ngaruawahia, and arrived in Hamilton by the steamer last night, shortly after nine o'clock. The following -are the particulars of their capture :—: — The two men, Te Paora and Epiha, left Alexandra on Thursday morning with a party of natives who proceeded down the Waipa in four canoes, and were followed on horseback by Constables Gillies, Stunner and Mold. They passed tluough Whatawhata at about 4.30 in the evening, and took up their quarters at William Barton's settlement at Karakariki, where they remained for the night. Hearing that the party had stopped here, Sergeant McGovern called his men together at Whatawhata, where a programme of procedure was drawn up and decided upon. The party at the disposal of the Sergeant consisted Sergeants Addison and Stunner, Constables Gillies, Howell, Mold, Murray, Wild, Charlcton and Hammond, and 'Detective Jones, of Auckland. These were assisted by Messrs Quick and Frank Edgecumbe, who kindly acted as interpreters. Five of the party took up their position at Karikariki, and the others, with Sergeant McGovern, proceeded to Ngaruawahia. At 8.30 yesterday morning a messenger arrived from the party who weie stationed at the settlement with the following message: — "Pakara is at William Barton's place. No sign of a move yet. They are preparing for breakfast. Quick and Charletou, who aie at Moore's (halfcaste) whare, have told him that they are looking for Clotworthy." At about 12.30 four of tiie up-river party came on to Ngarua-wahia, leaving one to watch. Natives arrived during the morning from the Bluenose settlement for provisions, and seeing that the people were astir and that police weie moving about, auxiou&ly enquired what was the matter. They were told that the police were after a man named Clotworthy, for &ly grog selling at Whatiwhatihoe, and this for a time satisfied their curiosity. They then made a start for home, but Sergeant McGovern, thinking they were likely to frustrate his design by communicating with the other party, refused to let them leave the town, and consequently had to find them in food. Mr F. Edgecumbe was also instrumental in delaying a party of natives from returning home who appeared to have got scent of the circumstance. Finding that the party who were despatched in the morning for food did not return, those who remained at the settlement, including the two outlaws, got into their canoes with the intention of reaching Ngaruawahia. Hearing from the men up the river that a move was not likely to be made that night, Sergt. McGovern went to Capt. Lindsay, and chartered the Delta, with the intention of proceeding to the native settlement, and surrounding it before dark. The steamer got under weigh, and was manned by eighteen men, including both civilians and police. Many gentlemen readily volunteered their services, but it was not thought advisable to increase their number, and in less than fifteen minutes after the order was given, the steamer proceeded up the river. Having proceeded about four miles, Const. Gillies, who was on the bank watching the movements of the party (who had left the settlement, contrary to expectations) signalled to Sergt. McGovern on the steamer, that a canoe, in which were both men, was approaching down the river. The steamer was brought to a standstill, and nine men, including seven police, and Messrs Edgecumbe and Quick, interpreters, jumped into the small boat behind, all being well armed, and then quietly awaited the approach of the canoe. On the canoe approaching, the boat was rowed alongside, when Mr Edgecumbe informed the natives that a robbery had been committed at Alexandra, and that they had been accused of having stolen property in their possession. The natives, who numbered about forty, inclnding women and children, became very indignant at being accused of the theft, and expressed their willingness to be searched. All consented to land for this purpose with the exception of Pakara, who refused to go on shore. The steamer then came alongside, and the small boat being at the other they were jammed in and compelled to land. Constable Gillies and Sergeant , Stunner anvanced and arrested Pakara, who resisted and attempted to reach thewkte.r. A struggle" ensued. The police concentrated "their force around their prisoner, ' and th.c natives, "including the vromen and children who' were in the canoe fought hard'tb'secure a'rescue. After a struggle of about ten minutes; Pakara was handcuffed* and conveyed on board the steamer. The other mail, Epiha Tuha, with the^natives made for 'the canoe,*' but was secured with, little,, trouble^ , Just as the -steamer' '.was' moving' 'off -with, Itie JpriaoAers^fche; ' otKer; four cauoes^ i;ea?ch^ carrying^aiarge number of natives'ojpjthe 1 "sanW-party, hove in stghV j~<l)urin'gj ~<I)urin'g ; <lihe day §rea,t eX«iteweat prevailed at Nga«

ruawahia, and the people behaved very gallantly in rendering all possible assistance. The prisoners were brought on to Hamilton by the steamer, and con veyed to the .lock-up. # „ They will pro • bably be brought before the" Bench' today. . „. _