The Maikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY,FEB.21, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2592, 21 February 1889, Page 2

The Maikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY,FEB.2I, 1889.

Equal nnd exact justicc to atl men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political,

Tin-'. East Coast settlors have been thrown into a state of great excitement, bordering in many eases on panic, by the threatened visit ot' the ex-rebel murderer Te .Ivooti, of execrable memory. oinee that blood-thirsty leader was included in the amnesty granted by the Colonial Government in Mr Uryces lime, he has had a hankering to revisit, tin; scenes of his bloody deeds. Hie determined attitude of the settlers, who lost dear relatives and friends at his cruel massacre, and in consequence the pressure brought to bear upon him by the Government of the day, have hitherto restrained him from carrying his intended vi.sit into effect The old rebel chief, however, seems never to have abandon, d the idea of having another look at. Poverty I>ay. He has only kept his purpose in abeyance ; for we now see him actually on the way thither with a considerable following, lie is no doubt led to the scene of his slaughter of defenceless women and children, by that subtle and mysterious influence that impels all murderers to revisit the spot where they have at some former period committed great crimes. . The Government have showed extraordinary weakness in coping with the difficulty, and apparently give more consideration to the arch-fiend than to the feelings'if the outraged English settlers of the East Coast, as well j the good sense of the colony at large. The amount of imported by the Native Minister into his interview with To Ivooti in Auckland was almost as repugnant to the good taste of the colonists as was the act of -Mr Dryee in shaking the murderer by the hand. !e Kooti was specially un ited to Auckland, and was escorted there and back bv a Government official ■: the objections and advice from the Minister as to his intended visit to Poverty Hay were lacking in firmness, and of a very milk-and-water character. The action of_ the Government is weak and unwise to a very great extent. Te Ivooti may be said to be a pardoned and, therefore, free- man, with all the privileges of anv other I'ritish subject, at liberty to go where he likes. J»ut there are circumstances that alter eases. Sullivan, the West Coast and panloiu'd murderer, never iutd peace wherever he went and became known : lie was a hunted nian and vagabond to the end of days. To lvooti's visit to the East Coast may, or may not, mere bravado, or an assertion of triumph over the laws of the jxikelui, but there can be no gainsaying' the fact that his presence iu those settlements tvili revive many painful memories iu tho breasts of English and Maori residents alike. The j'einonibraueo of tho barbarous death in tho darkness uf Ilig'ht of those that were dear to thoiu can never be obliterated by any nieie act of political clemency on the part of tho Government, and no lapse of time can assuage altogether tho desire to take vengeance on the slayer should he have the temerity to intrude his presenco amongst them. The feelings of the East Coast people are natural and excusable. What is nccessaiy is that Te Ivooti keeps away from them for ever. The peace and quiet of the district are iu danger of disturbance by the approaching visit of himself" and followers, though they may be unarmed and only peacefully inclined. The settlers do not want him there at any price or on any consideration : to hnn there alive and well, mar the grave* of his victims, would be a gross and insolent all'ront to litem and a violation of the memory oi i-hn slain. We cannot'ask them to be calm »;.»d recollect that the »)Ui'derev

iv. now undor the law's pr<»(cefi<H), for they will not regard that. What li,e Government should do is to act with prompt, decision, I '"'-y should inform Te Kooti that they' .MJinot permit him to visit the East Coast nettlemonts, and should order in'm to withdraw from that part tho country's Ifey should mtcrdict him

from ever going there ; and should not l>e so undignified as to pause to argue the matter with him If, after being so told, lie still insisted on carrying out his object he should then bo treated as a recalcitrant, and put under forcible restraint. He is the disturbing element to the peace of the country. It is the duty of the Government to prevent a breach of the peace and to remove the cause of danger.