TE KOOTI.

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

TE KOOTI.

HIS TARTY UNARMND,

[by Tlil.KlitlAlMl. — l'lvliSS ASSOCIATION'.] Gisiiorxk, Tuesday. Mil lioo'nr, Resident Magistrate, received the following telegram from Mr Fergus, Minister of Justice: —Issue notice to the people of Gisborne to the following elleet: In deference to their feeling, the Government have used every effort, except actual force, which would bo clearly illegal (To Ivooti since pardoned being a free man), to stou his going to GUborne, and will continue to do so. The (lovetniueiit have full information as to Te Koitis movements, find are satislied there is no fear whatever of his breaking the law. Should he persist in going to Gisborne notwithstanding the efforts the (ioverninent .ire still making to prevent him, the Government hope the settlers will help tlieui to maintain the law evenly between the two races. Any breach of it must end in serious consequences to all concerned."

A telegram from Whakatane sent this morning says :— t( To Kooti and party, at>uut 70, one quarter of whom arc women, now here. They seem unarmed and peaceable, but many have revolvers. They May nut leave Oputiki for several days" WJ-. 1.1,1NI:to 11, Tues clay. Tlio Government have no intention of supplying arms to settlers, as requested, considering the demand preposterous, because by such a course they would themselves he helping the people to break the law. They will rely on the volunteers to keep the peace, and if these are not sufficient other measures will be taken. Wednesday. The Government has received a number of telegrams from leading men ill Poverty Bay, pressing that arms and ammunition may be sent tip and ball cartridges issued to the' volunteers. They have declined to take any such steps, and informed the settlers that they look to tliem to aid in the repression of the excitement, and not to encourage it. ...

The excitement re To Kooti is morn in - teu-e. 'Families from the country are coiuinpf into town for protection. The chiefs of the Turauga and Xgatiporo tribe-i sent ii, telegram to the Native Minister ,-trongly condemning Te lvioti s visit and stal'ng that if lie is not stopped at Opotiki they will immediately rise and stop him. The Ngatiporos are, the .strongest tribe on the Coast and could place 700 or KOO men in Lhe field. They are vehemently opposed to To. Kooti, against whom they fought in the last war.

111 V THr,Ei.;KAPIL— OWN (JORRKSPONUKXT. | AroK/.AXi;, Wednesday. The Hon. K Mitehelson yesterday telegraphed to Mr Bush, JI.M. at Tanranga, instructing liini to follow Te Kooti and deliver a message strongly urging him to ivturn and not proceed to I'overty 15av. Mr JJnsh replied last night, stating that he found Te Kooti at I'oroporo, four miles from Whakataue, and delivered the message. Te Kooti replied that the Minister had talked over the mailer very fully in Auckland, but he still fell he muse go to i'overty Hay. lie was getting old and did. not know when lie might die. and stroiu'lv wished to see his f. iviid-i before his death. Therefore, l:e could net delay. He added that he. was like the master of a vessel, who looked out for brcakei s ahead lii'fore crossing the bar. if there wis too hea\y a sea oil he Woul I come back. This is interpreted Lo hive, meant that, if strongly opposed lie wiil turn back, rather than risk any biMcii of the peace. Mr lir.rh adds that 'io. l\oul:; means to do his utmost to reach I'overty 1 iay, and will not defer his visit. He leaves this morning for \Yaimana, and tle'n p !>ses through Opotiki to-morrow. Ho goes thence to Marmutu, seven miles beyond Opotiki, on the (iisbome road, on Friday to I'overty Bay. Te Jv.oti's pally has been larjr-'.y increased by the ' local natives. One hundred and eighty horses ai a tethered round the encampment-, but the whole may not accompany him. There are no signs of arms of any description. Mr Mitchelson says Te Kooti is adhering to the line of route proposed which will not take liini near (!isborne. The natives have evidently been arranging for his visit, as large quantities of potatoes have been planted along the route.

Te Kooti left Matatn yesterday, and is now supposed to he in Waimai county, where the I friwera, have assembled to meet him.