TE KOOTI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2593, 23 February 1889, Page 2

TE KOOTI.

[uy TELEGRAI'JI,— I'KKSS ASSOCIATION.] Gisbounb, Thursday. The Premier reached Gisborne on Thursday, and met the Justices of the Peace and settlers as to the conrao proposed to be taken with regard to the visit of Tβ Kooti. A telegram was received by the Government this morning;, from Inspector Kiely, containing an extract from a speech of Mr W. T. Chambers, president of the Settlers' Committee, to the following-effect :—"That tho Government had had 40 hours to consider the matter, and if they had not made up their minds in 40 hours more, tho committee would tako decisive steps. They should act as if there were no Government, or the whole district would lie brought into disrepute. The defence of their women and children would be left entirely in their own hands. They should let To Kooti understand that neither now nor at any time would he be allowed to enter the district, if tins was not done, tho alarm would continue as long as tho man lived."

The following telegram was received by the Native Department:—" The Minister for Native Alfairs, Wellington,—This is a word from us, tho chiefs of Turunda and Ngatiporou. Wo strongly object to Te Kooti, who should not bo allowed to come here to Turangmiui. Tho Government .should stop him at Opotiki. If our word is not given effect to we will rise up at once to prevent him (Te Kooti) coming. —(Signed) Pkn'kamin'e Tohaka, Rawhiiu Mahia, PICTI AItATA HOA.Ni, ISkUUHA HaI'IKIHIHA, Rankika Tukoa, Henahk TuHAScr, Hkmi Kara (James C.irrull), Noa Whakaatkke, Wikkmu Keiha." Friday. A meeting was hold last night re Te Kooti. The attendance was about ISOO, and the m:\yor presided. The Chairman said he could almost assure them Te Kooti would not come to settle in that part of the district or within thirty :-niles of Gisborue, and he counselled moderation.

Mr J )oLatour spoke, ami blamed the Vigilance Committee for rousing tlm passions of the Ngatiporou, the inor-t warlike tribe in the North Island, who, if they take the field against To ICooti, could not be controlled, and a tribal war might result disastrous to the colony and district. Otlirr speakers said the settlors must adopt means of self-preservation, and their rmnui'kK found favour with the audience, who expressed great enthusiasm and determination to resist To Kooti's visit. Several native chiefs addressed the meetin". Wi ICaha, a Xgatiporou, said ho had an interview with the I'reinior, and told him the tribo wiuild muster and stop To Kooti between Opotiki and (iisbornr-. •Sir H. Atkinson told him the Ngalipiiro'is were undur Major Ho pa In, but the speaker said he -vas a relative of Ropara's. and would never consent to Te Kooti visiting Poverty Hay. ITe disapproved of Rop.ita, consenting, when in Wellington in 18S7, to Te Kooti's visit. If he raised his hand HOO Ngatiporou would follow him, and the Premier being in the district would not prevent him raising his hand. lloavi R-mi, chief of a (iis'oorne tribe, stated he would plice 1200 ivr.ned man in the field. If a rob.:l like To Kooti hid been pardoned for atrocities, .surely the (lovernineiit could pardon the local natives for keeping him away now their grievance hud lasted for -I years, and must over-weigh the four years' paidou by the (!o\eminent. Desmond, a pakeha emissary from the Rauhaus, attempted to read a message from them but was turned out of the building amid.it a scene of great uproar. A depn'ation from the meeting waitid upon the Premier asking his attendance 'on'he declined for administrative reasons. Resolutions were passed endorsing the action of the Vigilauco Committee, and a committee was appointed to raiso funds to equip an armed fore.;. Sir Harry Atkinson will consider the resolutions of the meeting and give hie decision what is to be done this afternoon.

Major Ropata arrived at (ii-b irne by the Maitai last night, and had a lung interview with the Premier t'.iis morning. Three hundred armed and mounted Ngatiporou are on the way to (iisborne, and are expected to-night or to-morrow morning. A large munbdr of natives are in the streets here. Ropata and 1 Tenure J'otai, an influential chief, conversed in the open air, surrounded by crowds of natives. At the termination a war song was chanted by the Maoris. Thi r. ...:ite;n.;iit is increasing, especially a:u >i g S.'ii! fii-.Midly Maoris. T.i-: lvinki public school is closed, • '■.vo. 'o hi .si of the families having left ■' -.■ i!i -'..I. i> , . , . Wki.i.ishton, Friday. T.i.ii.vMi members of the Wellington p 'lire force left in tho Wairarapa for Gisb .in - this evening and by the .same steam ir .-some MJ or 7U numbers of the Permanent Ai-t.iileiy, fiillv equipped, were embarked ::'. X ipie-r. 'I'iiis number will ba increased, and th; wlmlo will be engaged in inaintamin,-; order in the ai-tuib.'d district.

Tins Xativj Department received two thi-i nriniiiii, stating that 'IV Ivooti had arrived at Opotiki, and that Mr I lush, K.M., interviewed him. Te Kooti informed him he would not return, but will lv.miin at Onnramutu for a day or two. He laughed at the idea of anyone being afraid of him. and s.iid all ho desired was to pass along the (Queen's highway peacefully. If lie was killed it would not be his fault.

The Premier telegraphs- to the Hon. Mr Mitf.helsoii from (!i<boniß, that ha found ereat excitement in Poverty Bay in view of Te Kuoti's projected visit, and members of both races appeared determined to prevent his advance. Many women and children, and a sprinkling of men had corns in from out-districts, and more were expected in today (Friday). Several natives represented to the rren.ior that they are in Vodily fear owing to information th'.y have received from relatives as to Te Kooti's movements. Ol'OTlKl, Friday.

Te Kooti, who has been expected here on his way to Poverty Uiy, put in an appearance this morning, mit did not make any show. His arrival Ims bc.'ii awaited with eager expectation, an I tb : consequence was that the people turned out en masse to see the cavalcade.

Th:i p.iity consisted of s.;nu two I mm! red moil and boy.--, and fifty woni-jii all mounted. They appealed peacefully dispo.-ed and were apparently not armed to any appreciable fXtnit.

Te Kooti rode by himself, and was about thirty yards in advance-, and the others followed in the irregular style characteristic of a native cavalcade. No hostile demonstration was made, and indeed, the natives did not stop, but continued quickly on their way through the township, occasional greetings being exchanged with acquaintances. Mr Hush, R.M., was here, and has since wired the intelligence of this arrival of the party to the Native Minister. Te Kooti was warned not to persist in his attempt to proceed through to Poverty Bay, but he disregarded the advice given, and kept steadily on his journey with his followers.