The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, MARCH. 2, 1889.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2596, 2 March 1889, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, MARCH. 2, 1889.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

TttE trouble on tho East Coast lias conic to a peaceful termination, and the serious aspect which surrounded the difficulty for a few clays, leading people to fear that the danger of bloodshed was very imminent, has been averted by the submission of To Kooti to arrest and the dispersion «f his followers. When the combined armed forces of colonial troops and friendly natives advanced on Waioeka Pah to seize To Kooti and it was found that ho had retired, some anxiety was felt. There was a great probability of the crafty old warrior resorting to his wellknown tactics of " hide and seek,'' and, having given tho Government the slip, of putting the colony to much trouble and outlay in carrying on a prolonged guerrilla warfare against him and his allies. 'Happily this eventuality has now been removed and the country can certainly be congratulated on its escape. And so can the Government from the grave, consequences of their indiscretion and blunder. To Kooti has been arrostcd and is now on his way to Auckland. His

capture, however, was not effected without a most unseemly conflict of authority between the police and military commaudors at Waiotahi, the scene of his arrest. Major Porter, who was in command of the troops, displayed lamentable weakness and want of judgment in the affair. Had Te Kooti felt disposed to malco his escape and we are not sure that he did not so intend, he would have been assisted in his attempt by the folly and selfsufficiency of Major Porter. It is due entirely to the firmness and decision of Inspector (Joodall that To Kooti was not giveu an opportunity to elude capture, and that he is now safe- in custody. The colony probably owes it to that excellent officer that it has been spared, both a fiasco aud a long' period of vexatious petty warfare which would have inflicted a vast amount of injury to the country. It is to be hoped Inspector Goodall's meritorious conduct will meet with the recognition it deserves. As for Te Kooti, since no worse than alarm and expense has boon so far the result of his escapade, it need only be asked that lie be set at liberty again with strict injunctions to live peacefully at his settlement in the King Country, that ho shall not again make any more of his progresses through the country, and that he be required to find responsible sureties for his good behaviour in future. Such a course should meet the ends of justice and ensure us against any more repetitions of thri scare of the past two weeks. Since the above was in type, we have received the intelligence that Te Kooti has been bound over by Mr Bush, R.M., at Opotiki, to keep the peace and find substantial securities.