PROCEEDINGS AT MOTUIHI.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1490, 19 November 1874, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS AT MOTUIHI.

ALLEGED REBELLION OF IMMIGRANTS.

The action of the Health Officer in permitting the saloon passengers to terminate their quarantine, before the general release of the immigrants has been followed, as might be expected, by a strong expression of discontent among those left on the island. It was announcd in this morning's papers that yesterday this spirit of discontent had found vent in an open rebellion. The account they gav-e is that a steamer went down yesterday evening to fetch up the saloon passengers' baggage. On arrival, the captain was informed by Mr Barnsley that the immigrants had made up their mind to refuse to allow any of the bagjjage to be landed in consequence of the unfairness to which they had been subjected, and that they threatened to employ force to carry out their intention if necessary. On hearing this, the captain returned to town without attempting to carry out the object of bis journey. ... ■. We have much pleasure in giving publicity to the following letter on the subject from one of the immigrants, which gives a different version of the affair :—

(To tho Editor of the Evening Stati.) "& " MoTufur, November1, 18tb, 1874. " Sir,—There are a few items ill the aoconnt given' of fresh cases of 'fever among the immigrants that are not correct, ami with your kind permission I will correct. In the Hrst placa, the case of Mr Sly field is not serious, he being now convalescent. lhe cif 1 that went to the hospital, and is reported to have shown symptoms of fever, is sufierin<> from quinaey. The statement made by Mr Day in his petition, stating that the saloon passengers had been kept separate from the immigrants ia not true, they having always nccupie I the poop with them, and haviua freely mixed with them. There is a great "deal of dissatisfaction existing among the people here, in 6onseqaence of the saloon passengers going away, and in calling upon us to carry their luggage to the boat, and th»y all to a man refused to do it. The sum of ton shillings was given to the men who cinied it up, which took over half-a-day, three men doing tho work. We do not think it just to compel us to work for those who arc allowed to go where they like, while we, who are in no way worse than them, and in many cases healthier, should be compelled to scop here, and put up with the inconvenicne: s to which we are all _ alike subject. This is not written in a spirit of antagonism to any party, but simply^ to endeavour to set right that which we believe would otherwise hinder us from being admitted to pratique. Trusting that you will kindly insert this in your next isaue, and so give all Fair Play."

[We are informed by Mr Henry Ellis, the Immigration Officer, that actual force was used by several of the immigrants to prevent other 3, who were willing, from helping to remove the luggage. Mr Barnsley was also told in strong terms that he would not be allowed to place a single box on board the steamer. Mr Ellis had an interview with Mt Inspector Biobam on the subject this afternoon, and it has been decided, with the approval of his Honor the Superintendent, to send a posse of Aimed Constabulary to the island to-morrow morning. We have little doubt that the sight of the blue-coated gentry will speedily quell the mutiny. The naines-of several, of the ringleaders in the affair have been received by tbe Government, and they will bo prosecuted as soon as they come up to town.]