NATIVE OUTRAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2928, 2 September 1879, Page 3

NATIVE OUTRAGE.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

STEPS TO CAPTURE THE MAORIS. GRAHAMSTOWN, this day. A pigeon Message for the Native Minister from Pinko District states that a party of friendly natives from that district, some of whom were supposed to have formed the belligerents at Oliiuemuri, have been passed this morning on their way to the latter place to arrest the culprits. Mr Sheehan goes up again by special steamer soon a:iter the nomination proceedings terminate, aud, if necessary, will take a force of Volunteers from here within twenty-four hours. He stated this at the nomiuation. A few days delay may result in handing over the culprits to justice, but a precipitate movement in the direction of apprehending may only result in bloodshed, the end of which cannot be foreseen. Under these circumstances the Native Minister deemed it prudent to accept the alternative which presented itself, however repugnant to his own feelings. With this view messages have been despatched to Piako, Whakatikau, Cabbage Bay, Coromandeli and other places, summoniug the leading representatives of the different tribes together to discußS tho conduct of the Ngatihakos. If the statements put forth at Paeroa that these people have been strengthened by sympathisers from various sources, aud that they were even prepared for any attempt to capture the men on Sunday, then it is fortunate that they were not allowed an opportunity of testing their skill as marksmen upon a crowd of our volunteers huddled together on the deck of a tiny craft. A wise discretion has been exercised in permitting the chiefs of Haurakito try these men and to hand them over for punishment when tried. The consequences must fall even more heavily upon them in the confiscation ol their lands, in the carrying through of roads, railways, and telegraph wires, which they have hitherto successfully resisted, to the great loss of the district.

The Hon. the Native Minister has taken every precaution to prevent the escape of the culprits to the Kiug territory. REWI ASSISTING THE GOVERNMENT. A European at Kihikihi telegraphed to the elfect that Rewi has asked to inform the Native Minister that Rewi is on the way to Puhuiii, and ou arrival will put men on the alert to prevent the offenders from getting iv the King country. Mr Grace, of Alexander, recommeuded that the men should be kept at Te Aroha, and at Mr Firth's outstation to keep a sharp look-out. Major Te Wheoro, of Lower Waikato, has cautioned his men against encouraging them if they pass that way, and Rewi's tribe state that they will show them no favour. Rewi himself says no political significance can be attached to the outrage.

WELLINGTON, Monday

Regarding the native outrage at the Thames.MrMackay says that the Ngatinako tribe were the original owners of the land at Ohinemnrii and places in the valley of the Ihamcs adjacent thereto. They were partially conquered by the Ngatimaru and Ngatitameta tribes, who now claim to be proprietors of the district. The remnant incorporated themselves into the inlluential Ngatipao tribe, aud were in consequence allowed as serfs or vassals to resume the occupation of some portions of the land formerly owned by their tribe.