ARREST OP TE KOOTI.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7247, 1 March 1889, Page 5

ARREST OP TE KOOTI.

THE CHIEF IN THE LOCK-UP.

NATIVES DISPERSING.

[Br TeteeiupH.]

iFEOM OUR CORttESPOKDEXTS.)

OPOTIKI, February 28. The Maoris when they come to town do not feel disposed to give any information as to Te Kooti's intended movements. In some cases they will scarcely reply when questioned on the subject. Yesterday no less than two public meetings were held, Mr Bobert King, J.P., presiding. Messrs Wright, Eussell, Parkinson, and Downey were appointed a Committee. <J. Dette was put in command of about thirty Volunteers enrolled. A party of four mounted men were despatched to warn out-settlers to come to town. The troops from Auckland arrived per Chelmsford at Ohiwa at 11.20 a.m. to-day, and marched to Opotiki,Lieut. Connelly aobing&s guide. The total force ifl 80 Volunteers and 41 Permanent Corps, exclusive of Constables. Captain Baker, Quartetmaeter, and Lieut. Garrard, attached to the Permanent Staff, are in charge of the creature comforts of the forces. The whole are under the command of Captain Morrison. On arrival they were heartily welcomed by the in* habitants. About two hours after the arrival of the Auckland troops the Gisborne forces came in, all under Major Porter. They are now camped at the Town Hall. The Auckland forces are camped at the old Armed Constabulary barracks. The arrival of the troops ha 3 relieved the settlers of a great amount of anxiety. The settlers were somewhat agitated before they were aware of the approach of the expeditionary force. A publio meeting was held at which it was decided to patrol and guard the settlement and take other necessary precautions. A number of Te Kooti's followers who obeerved the approach of the troops, evidently lost no time in communicating the intelligence to their chief. There are various reports abroad as to the instructions the officers in command have received, but as yet we are ignorant of what is really to be done. Te Kooti is still at Waikeho. lam informed by a gentleman who has just returned from the Hauhau camp that the old rebel looks decidedly nervous and careworn. There has not been such excitement in the district since the year 1870, when the same individual kept the settlers in a chronic state of alarm. Mr Bush has spared himself no trouble or pains to relieve the fears of the settlers, and has been ably seconded by Inspector Goodall. Amongst the troops there are several old East Coast campaigners, who are fighting their battles over again, and express their intention of making it lively for Te Kooti, if they can get their hands on him. The whole force, Major Porter in command, proceeded this evening to Te Kooti's camp at Waikeho. Latek. A mixed force of about 130 men marched out of Opotiki, under command of Major Porter, at 1 p.m. to-day. Portion of the Permanent Artillery and Naval Volunteers remained close to the settlement to watch Te Kooti's followers. Major Porter's forces proceeded up the Waiotahi valley, and about five miles up from the coast Te Kooti was found, in a whare at Te "Waru's pah surrounded by about 150 friends, who showed some intimidation towards the Government forces. Inspector Goodall, who was well to the fore, closely followed by Wi Pere, produced a warrant and arrested his prisoner without any difficulty. Te Kooti was anxious that the Premier should be communicated with, and wished to be allowed to remain until the following day. His request was not complied with, and he was at once marched; in a prisoner to Opotiki. He reached there at about 6 p.m.,; and was confined in the cells, where he now is carefully guarded. The arrest wagj ni^de-by four constables, supported by a party of the Ngatiporons.

WELLINGTON, February 28. News has been received here of %c Kooti's arrest, but Ministers positively .1 refuse to give any information or even to say on what charge he is arrested. AUCKLAND, February 28.

The Star's special reporter at Opotiki wires:—Fifty stand of arms are being issued to-day to a body of Opotiki settlers enrolled- for active service. These are chiefly old campaigners, and are all men ultimately acquainted with the bush.

(PRKSS ASSOCIATION TECJEGftAMS.]

AUCKLAND, February 28.

A telegram from the liar's special reporter with the Auckland contingent states:— We landed at Ohiwa at 11.30 yesterday, and marched into Opotiki at three o'clock, warmly welcomed by the settlers, who. had been alarmed since Te Kooti established himself in the immediate neighborhood. When, later on, Major Porter's force arrived the scene was one of extreme rejoicing. Lieutenant Connolly brought from Auckland sufficient rifles and ammunition to arm any additional force that might be raised in the district." After Mr Bush's return from camp, the Star reporter went on and interviewed Te Kooti's camp at Opotiki. The camp is Bitu%£ed in a charming spot, six miles from Opotiki. The whares are built with care and regard for effect, and provide habitation for several hundred people. The special reporter says : —" I rode into Te Kooti's camp. The Natives called aloud that I was the chief of the ' soldiers, and gathered around suspiciously. As i neared their leader I assured him I was not a Government man, but represented the Auckland Star, and would take it as a favor if he would inform mc what his intentions were. ' I am going home to-morrow,' he said. 'To Waikato ?' I asked, to which he replied, ' Yes, true, to Waikato." Te Kooti looks , bloated, nervous, and apparently does not allow sufficient time to elapse between hie drunks. His sympathisers are astonished at the turn affairs have taken, and show unmietakeable alteration in their demeanor towards the Pakeha. The behaviour of the troops of all branches is excellent. Major Porter with a force from Gisborne, yesterday afternoon proceeded to Omaramutu pah, where. Tβ Kooti was said to be. He found the place almost deserted and Te Kooti had gone to Waikeho pah. Major Porter's force marched into Opotiki, where the contingent from Auckland was camped. Mr Mitchelson has just received the following telegram:—"Combined forces advanced to Waikeho at five o'clock this morning under Major Porter, of Gisborne. When near the pah they were met by Te Kooti's followers, upwards of 300 men. Major Porter advanced with Wi Pere and negotiated with them. The Natives informed him that Te Kooti had left for Waikato. Only his women and two or three men were with him." The Government have not yet decided whether the troops shall follow in pursuit of Te Kcoti. At an interview with Mr Bush yesterday he promised to return to Waikato. Bewi Maniopoto telegraphed to MrW. J. Kapier, solicitor, instructing him to defend Te Kooti if arrested. Latsb. Mr Mitcheleon has received a telegram stating that Te Kooti, who has been captured at Waiotahi, will be brought on to Auckland. WELLINGTON, February 28.

The whole military force left Opotiki at four o'clock this morning for the pah, six miles out, where Te Kooti was Yesterday, On arrival, a force of 200 Natives were on the road, mounted, awaiting ue. Major Porter rode forward, and m*: told Te Kooti had left during the night by an inland track for the "Waikato. Country Natives were put under temporary arrest, but say they are returning , to. their homes. The troops marched bade to to*n» and Major Porter is wiring to the Premier for

instructions. It will not be possible to follow IV Kooti on the Iraok he baa gone by, bttt troops may bis ordered Co Waikato. 1.30 pjta. The Government to-day declined tosupply any more information regarding operations at Opotiki, on the ground it has embarrassed the movemente of their officers. L4TSR. Government received a telegram from Opotiki this evening that Tβ Kooti had been arrested at Waitotahi, a few miles f join Opotiki, by Inspector Goodall and six policemen, supported by troops under Major Porter. The prisoner was conveyed to Opotiki. GISBOBNE, February 28. The following message was sent to the Eeraldftom Ormond at 12.30 to-day:— " t am directed by the Premier to forward you the following information* which he received last night:—Tβ Kooti wrote a letter to Mr Bush to say that he should return to Waikato. This was after the forces had arrived at Opotiki. Major Porter wired early this morning, 'Advanced with force at 5 a.m. to Waikoeka, when near the pah met all Te Kooti's followers; Upwards of 609 had advanced with Wi Pere and negotiated. They informed mc that Te Kooti left for Waikato last night, after the policemen returned with Te Kooti's letter, only his wives and two or three men with him. Am detaining hie people till I receive instructions from you as to whether I shall let them depart to their various homes. I will now consult Mr Bush re possibility of being able to cut him off to-day. All danger as to any resistance or outbreak is over. Te Kooti evidently waa afraid to martyrise himself as he professed or resist, and has evidently escaped in fear cf ultimate results.—T. W. Pobtbb, Major.' A later telegram informs the Premier thatTe Kooti has not been seen on the Waikato track, and that parties hare been sent in pursuit to arrest him, a warrant being in the hands of the polioe for that purpose. It is the intention of the Government to pursue Te Kooti until he is arrested, and to detain his followers for the present, SO as to render him powerless. (Signed) Bobert Leckib, Secretary to the Premier/ , Later. The Premier met the Natives at Karaka this afternoon at the invitation Of the chiefs controlling the assembly there. His advice to them was to disperse to their homes peacefully, or otherwise they would only be increasing the mana of Te X oti. Various speakers who followed the Premier agreed that no good would come of Tβ Kooti's vieit, but he had been invited to the district to attend a feast day of bis religion. As fear was caused by hie coming, and Government said he should not come, those present at the meeting were willing to abide by the decision of the Government, otherwise evil might oome of his visit. The meeting waa unanimous in its determination to break up to-morrow morning. Before the visitors left many of thoee who had vehicles started for their homes, taking shares of provisions that were left on the way in from the meeting. Sir h!. Atkinson hae received, a telegram irom Opotiki, stating that Te Kooti had •been captured nine miles outside of Opotiki. The news was received with the utmost satisfaction.

NEW PLYMOUTH, February 28. The Maoris here take little interest in Te Kooti's doings. Te Whiti is fast losing influence with his people on account of his prophecies about the land not coming true. He is looked upon now as a humbug, and the March meeting at Parihaki is expected to be a failure.

By the express from Dunedin on Wednesday night the following members of the Otago Division of the New Zealand Permanent Artillery arrived at Port iiyttelton to embark per the aa. Tarawera for the North Island:—Corporal Webb, Bombardier Gilhooiy, Gunners Bntler, CHalleron, Doncaster. Fitzpatrick, Hone Kehi, Dawson, Murray, Miller, Walmsley and Stewart..