MAORI FANATICISM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2852, 23 October 1890, Page 2

MAORI FANATICISM.

DISTURBANCES AT OTORO--IIANGA. ARREST OF MAHUKI AND TWENTY FOLLOWERS. Tun following appears in yesterday's Herald During the last few days there have been rumours of a new fanatical fad originated by the native Mahuki, in respect of which some little trouble was expected on account of the large influence lent to the movement by such chiefs as Rewi and others.

Mahuki is not quite a stranger in Auckland, and, in fact, has made somewhat of a history for himself us a fanatical native. Some years ago he, with a party of followers, attacked Messrs Hurstliouse and Newsom, surveyors, and subjected them to the most cruel atrocities and indignities, and he then led his followers to an invasion of the township of Alexandra. They reckoned without their host, however, on this adventure, for the Armed Constabulary, under Captain Gascoyne, then stationed at Alexandra, not only prevented the attack, but captured the attacking party, and Mahuki and his friends were brought prisoners to Auckland and tried before Mr Justice Gillie*. Mahuki, as the ringleader, was sentenced to a year's imprisonment, and the others to lesser terms. His incarceration, however, does not seem to have taken the spirit of mischief out of hiin, for he has now invented a new religion and set himself up as a prophet. His vagaries in the neighbourhood of Te Kuiti have given a good deal of uneasiness to the settlers, and it is reported that his audacity has reached such an extent of development that he has taken possession of some stores at Te Kuiti.

Intelligence of these doings reached Mr W. Lewis, uuder-Secretary of Native Affairs, yesterday, and lie at mice communicated with the Premier in Wellington, and instructions were received to quell the disturbance, and arrest Mahuki. To Ciirry out this order Captain Morrison and a strong detachment of the Permanent Force and Inspector Broham, with Constables Lamb, Collis, Dewes, O'Brien, Finnerty, Russell, Clark, Dunn, McCoy, Matheson, and Detectives Kirbyand Hughes, who will be joined at Huntly by a contingent under Inspector Emerson, left at 1.10 a.m. for Te Kuiti by special train, which was under the supervision of Mr Waite, chief clerk of the Railway Department. Mr Lewis accompanies the expedition, and lie will be joined at Otorohatiga by Mr G. 'P. Wilkinson, native agent. SergeantMajor Pratt has been left in charge of the police in the city. It is anticipated that the expedition will return to-night.

(BY TELEGRAPH— OWN OOBRESPONDKNT.) Otorohan'ga, Wednesday.

About a month ago Mahuki, or Manukura as he is now called, returned from Parihalca and stated that the time that he had long been prophesying had come, and that the Maori day of deliverance was at hand and that all the dead would arise and help them to free their land from the pakeha. On the 4th October he sent a waggon to To Kuiti in charge of two halfcastes, James Joseph and Harry Hettit, with a demand that the storekeepers should hand over their stores to him. This they nntiirally declined to do, but Mr J. W. Ellis said if they would bring an order from Rewi Maniapoto, who had become one of his adherents, he would hand his over. In about an hour such an order arrived. Mr Ellis then thought that even with a inan who had a large balanco in the bank, that it was too large a deal and so wrote Rewi a strong letter advising him to withdraw his Guarantee and not to become responsible for any dot>t. The old man was foolish euough to hand the letter to Mahuki, who, of course, went into a great state of excitement. Mr Ellis said in his letter that if Rewi persisted that he would give hitn credit to the extent of £50. When it reached a little over £49 he stopped the credit and the result was a letter asking him to attend Te Knmi and be paid. He naturally went, and Mr and Mrs Perry, of Te "Kuiti, attended on the same errand. The visitors were provided with a fair spread and after partaking of it were shown to a seat and in a few minutes Mahuki appeared clothed in two Maori mats m-or a shabby suit. After calling on Te Whiti andTohu to witness that he had all the nations of the world (Ngatamiri) assembled. (Mr Ellis says he never knew he was such an important personage before.) He told thorn that the day that he had long told them of had arrived, and that as scripture told them the dead would arise. When they arise they would drive all the Europeans back to Auckland, commencing with Te Kuiti. He had previously asked Messrs Ellis and Perry how they would have their accounts paid, in gold or land. They naturally said gold. He then said that the only payment they would get would be tho blood of tho Maoris who had been slain by the Kuropeans, etc. ; and that Mr Ellis and Mr and Mrs Perry would uot be allowed to return to Te Kuiti, but must at once start for town. Mr Ellis told Mr and Mrs Perry that they had bettor start for Te Kuiti while he held tho fort. They were let go without any efforts to prevent them. After about half-an-hour Mahuki called for his horgas. When they arrived, he turned to his principal old men at the doorway of his house, and told them that he was not going to cause trouble. After ho got on his horse with' some 25 followers, Mr Ellis asked Mahuki to give him a horse, and after some little talk he did, and they then went to To Kuiti together. On his journey Mahuki told Ellis if he would onlygive way a little, he would still make things all right, but if he did not, ho would place guards over tho stores and houses at Te Kuiti, and prevent the owners entering them. This he did, and tho first force used was when Coixtable Wild, of Hamilton, tried to go to into Tanner's, he was forcibly prevented from doing so. They tried to prevent Mrs Perry from goinK into her home to pot a pail to inilk the cow. A few Europeans turned up with the two constables stationed there. Wild and Forbes, and soon made a way. After this nothing but chaffing took place, and the shut out Europeans went and had tea with Taooui, who stuck manfully to Ins pakehas. Mahuki spoke verv angrily to him for dat ing to speak to Mr Ellis, butTaonui gave him better than he received. About dark Mr Ellis made an effort to get into Ins store, but was prevented. He called on the police and a rough and tumble took place. For about live minutes Mr Ellis was held back and prevented from entering his store although Const. Fortes succeeded in doing so and one who helped the police St. Clair. The Maoris resented his interference and threw him down, and Mahuki ordered his mon to tie him up. This changed tho scene of tho scuffle and St. Clair was soon rescued by Const. Wild and others, "laiinki then commanded his followers that if tho outsiders resisted to tie them up. After a few warm words between Mahuki and Mr Ellis, tho Europeans adjourned to wait the arrival of six Europeans that were known to be coming when another attempt would have been made, as Mr Ellis and his manager naturally objected to be kept out in the wet all night. Wliila however, the dispossessed Europeans were making themselves comfortable in Tanner's house. Tiitekama, Mahuki's principal man arrived and told them they could go back to the stores, and that if they had not done unongh to cause their arrest, they would satisfy them in the morning. Mahuki stopped behind at his friend Tanner s (who had not stopped his credit), and the last your correspondent saw of hi in, he was sound asleep in a cosy arm chair in front of a fire in Tanner's sitting-room, his boots, and toasting his feet. Tho Europeans turned in at their usual hours, and enjoyed a good night's rest, your correspondent being wakened by the arrival of tho train, and he was much surprised to see a crowd of police and permanent force men rush across to Tannpr's. as though they were all after some King Country "lemonade," but before the last reached the house, the quickest rnnuer appeared with Mahuki, with the handcuffs on conducting him to the train. In a few minutes the first of his men arrived and was soon with his leader; after this they camo in ones and twos and were promptly arrested. These were all on horseback and after a lull a body of men appeared coining along tho railway, that were recognised as his followers. Mahuki was called out, to hurry them up, and as soon as he called out they started for the police at a run and held up their hands for tho bracelets. After some six had been called out who had taken no part in yesterday's work, but who persisted they were present, tho remaining wore rut on board the train and when tho train got close to Te Kumi they raised a farewell song but otherwise they mado nu demonstration. 1 . At Otorohaugu where a'Uirge gathering

if natives were assembled they were jeered it and asked why their gud did not strike their fetters off, etc., etc.

They want to bo mails martyrs of and if the child's play of yesterday h u! not been enough tor their arrest t.hey would doubtless gradually have increased their violence till action w.is taken. The prisoners left in the best of spirits. The lust man In be tak mwas Tnkelmrcnva who had £40 on liim for Mr Tanner, this the police t.o< k from liim. but afterwards handed to Tanner, so Tanner had the laugh on his side, as Messrs Cashel, Kills and Perrv pave their (foods on Rewi's name, but Tanner had trusted Maluiki himself. It is expected that the few who were released will commit soma sliirht breach of the law so that they can follow the others, but. nothing serious is at all lilcely to happen. Auckland, bast Night. Mahnki and his followers have been safely lodged in Mi,mil H len ({.ml. (BY TELEGRAPH—I'KKSS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Last Night. The Government received a hint telegram from the Under Secretaiy ot Native Affairs, re the disturbance at To Kuiti. He states The party arrived at 7 a.m. in pouring rain. The stores which the Maoris yesterday took possession of are alongside the railway line, and it was arranged that the arms should be left in the train in charge of the Permanent Artillery, and that the arrest should be made by the police, who were only armed with batons. On reaching the stores it was found that all the Maoris implicated, except Mahnki himself, had returned to Te Koini. Mahnki was at once arrested, and handcuffed, and placed in safe keeping. Inspector Hroh un then proceeded to take e videnco as to theoutrage. Tnonui stated that Mahuki threatened to tie him up today. He (Tiionui), as well as all the right minded natives of the place, approved of the action taken by the authorities. After Mahuki'a arrest his people began to c.ime in, and ultimately a batch of about twenty, all who could be identified as having taken part in the outrage, were arrested and handcuffed. .Mahuki, who commenced haranguing, was separated from the others. Some of those arrested are mere youths, but nil have a fanatical, excited look, which in their lender amounts to a sort of frenzy. They appeared to desire to pose as martyrs, i Four constables liavo been left at Te Kuiti, as other of Mahuki'a followers have threatened some of the residents. On 1 arrival in Auckland, Major Mair will tele--1 graph to Rewi, who has become a sympa-

thiser of Mahuki, advising him to return home. Mahnki and his people threatened

that if they had not done enough' yesterday they would to-day do something much more notable."