FORCE SENT FROM WELLINGTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 102, 2 May 1898, Page 3

FORCE SENT FROM WELLINGTON.

NINETY-FOUR MEN DESPATCHED

TWO NORDKNFiXDTS AND A

M'YXIM GUN

(By Telegraph — I'ress Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day

The Government steamer Hinemoa was despatched from Wellington at .eight o'clock last night for flukianga dine!, taking in all ninety-four men of the I'ennai iient Artillery, under,. Colonel NewaSl, j Lieutenants Wall and Pilkington. The ' force also took two Nordenfeldt field guns i and one Maxim gun, with the requisite j ammunition.

The men were kept waiting some two hours .at the wharf while the material and stores were embarked.

Twenty tents were taken, with ammunition, bread, biscuits and other provisions, and picks, shovels and axes. The Hinemoa in expected to reach Hokianga to-morrow afternoon. The roads in the district are .said to be good, and the troops should have no difficulty in reaching the spot. It appears that late on Saturday night the Government were advised by Inspector Hickson that the natives were still displaying a threatening attitude, and that Hone Toia, the fanatical leader, had, in reply to a Government message .sent on the 20th, said: " I will play or otherwise light at Eawene. I will come with all my guns and will fight to-morrow."

Inspector Hiekson lias been reoeatcdly in comrminication with the Government, the telegraph offices there and hero being specially opened. He .states that he sent out a reconnoitring party, as he had been informed that an attempt would be made to encompass Bawene. The police, he says, were warned last night at Taheko that pickets would be posted a'ong the road.

At present it is believed that the fanatical leader lias only a following of 50 men, but lie is gaining adherents.

The friendly natives arc more numerous, but it will take time to assemble thorn.

Inspector Hickson and the Justices of the Peace with whom he has consulted are of opinion that those causing tin- disturbance are fanatics and fearless of death. They, therefore, recommended that a force of 100 men should'be sent with a field battery at once.

ALARM. AT RAWENE

Rawene, the principal township at flokianga, was on Saturday practically deserted, and some of the refugees sought shelter on the steamer Glenclg. Colonel Noakc'a house, too, was fill I of refugees. The Rev. Mr Gittos met the natives, and with regard to the objection to the dog tax, advised them to petition Parliament, Mr Gifctos saw 50 natives well armed, but was informed there were 200 natives. They declare they would not interfere with the women or children,, but would deal only with the Government representatives and men.

The Government have telegraphed to the friendly chiefs asking for their intervention to preserve order, but intimating that they would strictly enforce the law.