Page image
Page image

A.-8

6

create evil in the future?' I said, 'I do not know; I will see Te Kooti and ascertain.' That is why I stood up to-day and asked him his intentions. Now, am I right in supposing that he will remain peaceable and not return to his old crimes ? " —Te Kooti: " I have already said that I will never return to my old crimes." —Mr. Bryce: "I am satisfied with your assurance, and I now call upon Rewi Maniapoto to say what he considers Te Kooti's future conduct will be." —Manga Maniapoto: "I was one of the promoters of the King movement, and was against fighting, but was forced into it. I consider that I am in a measure to blame for these crimes, and have never felt at ease, although pardoned, while other offenders were still held guilty. I am sure you can rely upon Te Kooti's assurance for his future good behaviour, and hope that you will issue the Proclamation without delay."—Mr. Bryce: "I accept your assurances. Now, this is the difference between what Mr. Sheehan said and what I now say. There was then no law for an Amnesty, but there is now. On my return to Kihikilii I will telegraph to Wellington and have the Proclamation published in the Gazette. It will be a general Proclamation. It will not say that you can live at peace here only, but everywhere. That Proclamation will bo issued in about a week or ten days. In the meantime, my hand will interpose between you and the law. That finishes my business. And lam now prepared to shake hands." (Mr. Bryce then walked over and shook hands with Te Kooti.) After a lapse of a few minutes, Te Kooti rose and sang a waiata, and said, " As everything is now settled, I will come and shake hands with you." He then advanced and shook hands with the party. The meeting then concluded, and Mr. Bryce got into his trap to leave for Kihikihi. Te Kooti again advanced and said, " Good-bye. For the future I will look to you and myself. If you find me molesting anybody, come and take me." The party then left for Kihikihi. John Bryce.

Enclosure 4. Auckland, 22nd March, 1883. I am happy to say Hursthouse has been liberated. The Maoris say he was tied with a chain, and so weak for want of food that he could hardly stand when liberated. I hear from himself that they have left him nothing but his trousers and shirt. At any rate he was in the hands of fanatics, and I felt anxious about him. Te Kooti came down with a number of Ngatimauiapotos, and, joining with Wetere's men and others who were there, made a dash at to kaumarua, as the Natives call themselves, captured and tied most of them, and then released Hursthouse. John Beyce.

Enclosure 5. Auckland, 23rd March, 1883. I have been very short of accurate intelligence, owing to the distance of Kuiti from a telegraph station. I hope that ringleaders will be arrested, but I am at present moment waiting for message from Alexandra ; meantime I. have not determined. An attempt to arrest on my part, unless assisted by Natives, to be effectual, would involve preparations lasting some time. Telegram has come, Mahuki has made a cringing submission and promise of future good conduct, which seems to have satisfied the Ngatimaniapoto who were present, but has not satisfied me. The outrage was too gross and cruel, and has not been overstated in any one of the accounts published, and I am not in the least inclined to overlook it. lam waiting here for Mr. Whitaker, as he is'to arrive on Monday, but if I remain in Auckland till then I shall leave for Alexandra next day and see this business through. John Beycis.

No. 3. The Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Te Kooti main difficulty way Amnesty. Bryce met him, Rewi being present. Explained Amnesty Act. Reply question future behaviour, Te Kooti said, been peaceable ten years, desired never again walk evil paths. Rewi believed Government safely accept Te Kooti's statement; added, much wished general Amnesty. Bryce satisfied. Promised recommend Governor proclaim amnesty offences political and connected war. Gazette issued 13th declaring Amnesty, without exception, under provisions Act. Whitaker. February 15th.

No. 4. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemier. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 22nd February, 1883. I had very great pleasure in receiving your cablegram of the 15th instant, announcing that the Government, being satisfied with the condition of Native affairs, had recommended His Excellency the Governor to proclaim a general Amnesty for political offences, and that a Government Gazette had been issued proclaiming such Amnesty, without exception, under the provisions of the Act of last session. I immediately communicated this news to the Colonial Office, and made it public in the newspapers; and, as it is probable that the Secretary of State may shortly lay further papers on New Zealand affairs before the Imperial Parliament, it is my intention to request Lord Derby to allow the intelligence of the general Amnesty to be included in the Blue Book, without waiting for the receipt of the formal despatches on the subject that will be received from the Governor. 1 have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert