TE KOOTI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2595, 28 February 1889, Page 2

TE KOOTI.

TROOPS SENT TO OPOTIKL WARRANT FOll HIS ARREST. ARRIVAL OF THE AUCKLAND REINFORCEMENTS. DETENTION OF TE KOOTTS SCOUTS. TE K.OOTTS MOVEMENTS SUSPICIOUS. SETTLERS ARMING. (BY TKLKGH.U'H— OWN fJOIIKKSI'ONDKNT). Auckland, Tuesday. The Chehr.sford sailed at 3 o'clock this afternoon for Opotiki with thirty permanent Artillery, and ninety volunteers with a warrant to arrest Te Kooti. It is expected the arrest will be effected without resistance.- Captain Morrison command:! the expedition. The troops consisted of a detachment of :;."> men of the Permanent Artillery from th». two forts. About 30 Auckland Navals, 20 Ponsonby, and 10 Waitemata. They wero under charge of Captain 11. Parker and Lieutenant W. Smith (A.N.A.), and Cuptain I). Miller find LieutmiantsT. Whitley, C. C. Oucre (I'.N.A). Colonel Shephird accompanied the men to the steamer. In addition to those mentioned there were on board a party of three from the " O' , Battery, under Lieutenant C. ¥. James, who have been attached to the Permanent Forco as a signalling corps. The detachment of police consisted of nine men, under the command of Sergeant N. Kiely, who was accompanied to the steamer by Ser-geant-Major Pratt. The men chosen for this special service were Constablo-i Lamb, McCoy, Martyn, Rowles, Addison, Howell Gray, Coughlan, and Cargill. Wednesday. The Hon. Mr Mitchelaon received a telegram this afternoon from Mr Bush, K M., stating that To Kooti and a number of his followers have informed him definitely to-day they are going to Gisborne. A number of natives passed through Opotiki this forenoon for Gisborne, but Te Kooti was not among them. The troops from Gisborne, 150 strong, are marching towards Opotiki, and are expected to have reached that place by three o'clock to-day, so that they must have met the advancing natives. The Chelmsford had a fairly smooth passago all the way from Auckland, but she waa very crowded, there was not room for acomfortable berth, and those who were not sick appeared to enjoy the trip immensely. The majority of the men were bad sailors, so nearly all' wsre sick, They arrived at 11.20 a.m., and were at once landed, and after a very hasty luncheon, made a start in search of Te Kooti, who was camped sixteen miles away. The troops presented a very soldiorly appearance when they formod up at the landing place. It is supposed that To Kooti's scoutSr who had not returned to his cai»r> last night have been arrested by the troops on their way from Gisborne. [BY TELEGRAPH—I'KESS ASSOCIATION. 1 Wellington, Wednesday. The latest information received by the Government seems to show it is not at all certain yet that To Kooti intends to return. His statements aro somewhat vague. The Defence Minister has received liumorous offers from the volunteer corps throughout the colony, offering their assistance to the Government in case they are required on the East Coast. Replies have been sent, thanking the corps, but declining their offer, as it is thought no outside aid is required. The Gisborne Herald's Opotiki correspondent wires that during all day yesterday Te Kooti remained in the pah, suffering a recovery from his big drunk, and waiting the return of some messengers he had sent through to Poverty Bay. He sent one away on Thursday last, expecting to hear from him by wire, and as lie did not he sent another after him on Saturday. Nothing was heard from them, so he scut a small body of 12 men off on Monday and heard nothing from thoin. He then got quite uneasy. A. forco of armed men are on the Opotiki Ormond road, and the probability is that these um-wngers were not permitted to return, and as 'the wires intended for him never i-;,u;U('d him, ho was kept ignorant of what was going on. However, a messenger arrived from Gisbourne last night, who has evidently elndud the sentries, and what news he'told To Kooti, and how it is going to affect him no one yet knows. A considerable force of men are expected at Ohmva to-day, to be landed there, and a contingent of Ngatiporous are expected b> Mild, so we hops that before the day is over some decisive steps will be taken. The whole settlement is in a great state of alarm. The Stella arrived here at daylight this morning. Neither arms or force have been landed, and are now waiting orders from the Premier. It is not known whether they will be landed there or south of Opotiki. Scott, a member of the Permanent Artillery, while on the march yesterday suffered an'attack of heat apoplexy, and was carried back to Lorna Station and attended to by [Jr. Pollen. The Ngatiporuus and Hussars have guns on through tho bush, and To Kooti's arrest is expected today. Although it is not definitely known, it is understood that if Ts Kooti will disband his followers and leave the district quietly, the Government will not interfere with him in any way, but allow him to go home to Wa-ikato. OrOTiKi, Wednesday. Te KootTs messengers to Gisboruo should have returned yestoiday morning. They havo been detained, and this has infuriated Te Kooti. Inspector Goodall ami four constables have just left for the Hauhau camp. This has caused universal alarm anil excitement, and the s-;tt.'crs inimedi.itu'.y discussed the advisability of arming themselves ;H best they can, and patrolling tho district. The Maoris are coming and going in small numbers nil day, There is nothing definite re To Kooti's movements, all of which aro suspicious. A largo meeting was held at the Masonic Hotel, and thirty armed volunteers were enrolled and arrangements made for the protection of the women and children tonight. Tuamks, Wednesday. Lieut. Potts, of the Thames Naval Artillery to-day, telegraphed to the Minister of liufonco as follows :--" Should you require the Thames Nuvals for active service on the East Coast, they are ready. This afternoon the following reply was received :—" Gratified to hear the Thames Navals arc ready for active service. Trust that steps already taken will bo sufficient without calling on more forces. —T. ]''KltfiUS."