TE KOOTI.

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

TE KOOTI.

HIS ARREST AT WAIOTAHL BEFORE THE COURT. BOUND OVER TO KEEP THE PEACE. TO BE SENT AS A PRISONER TO AUCKLAND. (BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT). Auckland, Thursday, 2 p.m. Major Pouter, with the forces from Gisbnrne, arrived at Omaramutu Pah yesterday afternoon. He found it deserted, Te Kooti having gone to Waioeka Pah. The Auckland contingent remained at Opotiki during the night, and this morning at five o'clock the combined forces advanced on to Waioeka, under Major Porter. When near the pah they were met by Te Kooti's followers, upwards of 300 men. Major Porter advanced with Wi Percand negotiated with them. The natives informed him that Te Kooti left for Waikato last night. Only his women and two or three men were with him. The Government have not yet decided whether the troops are to follow in pursuit. Te Kooti promised Mr Bush yesterday he would return to Waikato, 3.30 p.m. The Government has ordered the pursuit of Te Kooti, and scouts have been sent in every direction. No trace of him has yet been discovered. Ilewi has telegraphed to Mr Napier, solicitor, to defend Te Kooti if arrested. 7.30 p.m. Advices just received by Mr Mitcholsou state that Te Kooti was arrested at Waiotahi to-day. The Star correspondent at Opotiki lolegraphs at 7 p.m. :—"Te Kooti is now being escorted to the settlement, a prisoner. He will probably be sent to Auckland in the Chelmsford, which leaves to-morrow." |The above telegrams were issued by us as "xtrns on Thursday and yesterday morninß.l After the troops returned from their unsuccessful search for Te Kooti at Waioeka pah, a movement was made, on the strength of fresh information, for Waiotahi, at which settlement the e.vrebel was found squatting on a mat with two of his wives and about 00 other Maoris. Inspector Goodall with two constables were there on the snot. On Major Porter's arrival a parley was held with Te Kooti, who refused to go with the police. Wi Pere proposed that Te Kooti need not be arrested, as ho intended returning to Waikato. Major Porter was willing to allow him to remain in the settlement until he could hear from the Government. Inspector Goodall at onco refused to consent to this, and finding he could be supported by the military force, produced the warrant and insisted on taking Te Kooti into custody. After some wrangling between the two officers, Major Porter gave orders for the troops to withdraw, but Inspector Goodall ordered them to remain. Te Kooti theu prepared himself and mounted the horse ready for him, and hp was then brought into Opotiki. Te Kooti was to be taken back to Auckland. At Gishorne the Premier has caused the assembled natives to disperse quietly. The Wellington evening papers are violently attacking the Premier. Friday. The Native Minister has received a triegram stating th.it Te Kooti was hound over to keeu the peace for six calender mon'b-s himself in t'oOO, and two other seeiiriti;s of a like amount each. His followers are very dejected, and it is considered thin action will prove effective. To Kooti said in Court he would never kill anyone again. The Star's special reporter at Opotiki telegraphs:—News of the capture of To Kooti had reached the township long before the cavalcade made its appearance, and the inhabitants were out in masses to see the captive marched in. A. Maori woman set no a howl as he was escorted to the cells. Three of his wives were allowed to tako up their qii irters with him. A strong guard was m muted, and the notorious Te Kooti, a free man since his escape from the Chatham Islands, was once more safe under luck and key. He looked very miserable as ho entered under escort. Expressions of pity were not wanting from the white portion of the crowd as they lirwed his weakly and forlorn appearance. The effect of his arrest was plainly to be seen in the altered bearing of Te Kooti's friends. Manv of them could nit tv-itraiu their sorrow and indignation at what they considered the treacherous conduet of the pakeln, while others with slight acknowledgment that their idol's power was broken."

At the hearing of the charge of illegal as- < seiuljly against Te Kooti, Inspector Goudall . stated that accused had left Waikato with , numerous followers on the 18th. He saw him at Matata with 75 followers, and at , Wliiik-.itatie on 20th with 200 followers, ] and also saw him at dilferent times r since with increasing numbers. He had a had reputation, and the inhabitants of the \ Bay of Plenty are in dread of him when about. He was asked to return to Wai- . Icato but refused. He is adicted to drink, , and that is an additional cause of alarm, . lest ho might when drunk incite his fol- , lowers against the pukehas. He believed I he would disturb the peace unless rei strained. He is followed by several well- ' known bad characters. Last year he paraded the district in the same . manner, and there was a general fear ', that the peace would be broken. Te . Kooti was drunk each time lie was in . the district. The Ngatai were under arms I to oppose him, and 250 men were sent to arrest him. , The [uspectar was asked by Te Kooti " What crime did you know me to coin- , mit ?" ■'I consider it a crime," said the 1 Inspector, "to have a large number of .lien together by wliieh others are iutimi- [ dated." Mr Connolly, an old Opotiki resident, supported the Inspector's statements as to the number of followers and fear in the district He also swore that he had gone to Auckland to sec the Native Minister, from whom he procured arms for .settlers. About -100 men . were assembled in town to keep the peace. All this was caused by Te Kooti. There wan danger of a conflict between the Ngatai and Te Kooti's men, and it was not safe to have them at largo in this district. No securities bsing forthcoming for Te Kooti's good behaviour, ho is committed to Mount Eden Gaol. The Naval contingent return to Auckland with Te Kooti and his police escort immediately. The Permenant Artillery remain at Opotiki until the natives disperse, and things are quiet again. The excitement in this district is sub-