TE KOOTI

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2594, 26 February 1889, Page 2

TE KOOTI

ORDERED TO GO BACK. HOSTILITIES FEARED. VOLUNTEERS OFFERING THEMSELVES. OPOTIKI ALARMED. [liY TKLEGKAPJI. —I'KIi.SS ASSOCIATION.] Ki.suokxb, Saturday. The Government, after much deliberation, came to tho decision to send a force to pievent To Kooti from entering the Poverty Bay district. The Premier sent positive ordois that Tβ Kooti must not proceed, and if lie did so he would he stopped by the Government. Te Kooti in reported to have become very sullen at the action of the Government, and is camper! in the vicinity nf Opotiki with a large following. A force of permanent artillery, volnntoei's and friendly natives have been despatched to meet Te Kooti, and, if necessary, arrest him. Monday. Some residents visited the Hnuhau ramp, and were cordially received, but the natives were reticent. Great indignation was expressed on Saturday night with tho chiefs in charge of th« camp, who wired to Opotiki advising Te Kooti not to come, as food was prepared at Karaka, tint they wont by a different route. Tho troops were moved forward at 11 o'clock this morning, and camped at tho edge of the Motu Bush. Constables have been .sent forward to Motu bridge, which is well in the bush, to prevent either natives or whites passing without a permit. An Opotiki correspondent wires that To Kooti returned from Omaratimtu ou Sunday morning, and went out to Waoka Pa, about six miles inland from the township, when: he is at present. He is greatly incensed at Wi Pere, on whose invitation and that of his people he was going, and ordered him and Peka out of his wliare yesterday. The Government should send round a steamer with 200 men at once. OroTiKi, Monday. Owing to the deplotmicy used by Mr Bush, K.M., on Saturday morning, Te Kooti returned to Oootiki, accompanied by Wi Pere and his body guard, and after a brief stay at tho Masonic Hotel proceeded to Hira Te Popo's pah, six miles from here. The latter and those under him are sworn friends and followers of the ex-rebel, and are reported to have a large quantity of arms and ammunition secreted in tho settlement. To Kooti upon his arrival at the settlement gave strict injunctions that none should leave the camp, and announced that it was undecided what were his immediate movements. There are nmv about 700 congregated here, and being short of food the settlers are in immediate fear of having their crop.* destroyed and cattle killed. Inspector Goodall and a body of police patrol the district, and are ready to render every assistance, should occasion require it. Te Kooti's followers and co-religiouists appear much annoyed, and aro very sullen at this apparent defeat of their deity, and what tho result will be it is diHicult to tell. To Kooti and his body guard came into town this morning. He solemnly announced his intention of proceeding to Gisborne. Should he persist in carrying out this resolve, serious consequences will follow. .■V feeling of insecurity has suddenly sprung up here, and in consequence a p.-.ii-lie meeting was hurriedly convened on Saturday afternoon by Mr (low, chairman of the county council, which was well attended, to consider what steps should be taken to protect the lives and property i.f the settlers. This matter demands immediate action on the part of Government, as Opotiki would be tho first settlement on which the natives would wreak their revenge in the event of Te Kooti's party mooting with any loss of life on the proposed vi*it to Gisborne.

Mr Wright, sneaking fur the Chief Karauria Matuakore of tho Xgaitui tribe, offered to assist in tho protection of lives and property of tha settlers here by bringing a party of armed men. In making this generous offer they arc only following out the tenets of iheir loyal and patriotic deceased chief Wirorcui Kingi; and they are deserving of the heartiest thanks for their timely offer of assistance. W v, l.i.ingto.v, Monday. The only information received by tho Government this morning is from Inspector Kiely, who states To Kooti retraced his sii'.n.-i .soma miles towards (Juntiki, out of r!"f''iL'!i(:e to the wishes of the Govern-lii-'-ii,. lint lifter wards he says "am now U"ii>_r "ii. ' Ministers here do not understand that M;i! homier has promised to arrest To Ivo.iti, but only that lie shall not be allowed to disturb tho peace of the district. ]''ive hundred of his friends are said to be assembled at Karaka, about 20 miles from (iisbonie. The total force on tho march to Opotiki is about 180. [IIV Tlir.lCl.'llAl'll— OWN" (IOKHKSIMINUKVr.) Auckland, Monday. A telegram was received from Mr Bush, at Opotiki, this forenoon iu which it is .-tated that no move had been made by Te Knot: and his party since they had returned to Opotiki, and that a meeting of thu natives was to bo held to decide what should bo done. The Premier is at Ortnond, twenty miles from Gisborne, and on the road to Opotiki, superintending affairs, and the troops are at a place near Barker's station, about 30 mPes from Gisborne. The tio:ips include the Napier Hussars, Constabulary, and .jO lSgatiporou natives unrier Major Kopata. It has not yet been decided whether any of the permanent forces stationed at KmtCautley will be despatched to the scone, but they are ready to proceed at a moment's n;>tic;a.

The Waitemnta Xaval Artillery paraded in camp ;it the North Head, when there was a muster of 50 all toll], including Captain Hitchuus, Lieutenants Montgomery, and Ueddis. Captain Hitchon.-i explained tho position (if affairs on tho Hist (Jnast, ntnl tho company to a man decided to oll'er themselves fur immediate active service. The Premier replied if the services "f tho volunteers out iif the district should be lecpiired, the (nivcnimctit would be glad to avail themselves of thiMilhir. Liouteoant-Oulonel Shepherd has offered his services in the event of further disturbance and also to obtain as many volunteers friiin Auckland as might be desired.