REBELLIOUS NATIVES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 455, 13 March 1909, Page 7

REBELLIOUS NATIVES.

TROUBLE AT COOK ISLANDS. PULLING DOWN THE KING'S FLAG. 181 TELEGIUm—I'ItSSS ASSOCIATION'.) Auckland, March 12. Tho "Star's" Cook Islands' correspondent writes: — . "H.M.S. Cambrian arrived at Manihiki on Fobruary 15. Colonel,-Gudgeon, accompanied by Captain Lewis, and a filo of marines, proceeded ashore, and wero informed by Mr. Williams, Government Agent, that matters wero now'quiet in Manihiki, and the natives who had been incited by the Rakaha'nga rebels to defy tho Government had submitted to Mr. Williams's jurisdiction. Colonel Gudgeon decided to take no further action. Pukerun, chief leader of the rebels at Rakahanga, being in Manihiki, was brought before Colonel Gudgeon on a charge of embezzlement of 600 dollars, church funds, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. "The Cambrian then proceeded to Rakahanga,'where four men woro oharged with pulling down the King's flag, ejecting Judge Lupon from his position, illegally fining his Majesty's subjects and preventing natives buying and selling at tho stores. 'Tho prisoners virtually pleaded guilty. Ono witness stated that ho heard Pakerua say that when Colonel Gudgeon came ashore from the warship he would ask that official something, and if he did not agreo with tho request ho wanted the people to rise and kill the colonel, the council, and Mr. Williams. Tho defenco was that tho council would not restrict the sale of cocoanuts and copra to traders. Tho court sentenced accused to ono year's hard labour at Rarotonga. Remeka, who acted illegally as judgo, was fined £5. "Subsequently, at a court held on the Cambrian, Pukerua, leader of the rebellion, was sentenced to two years' hard labour at , Rarotonga, concurrent, with the previous sentence. Two other men concerned were sentenced to eight and six months' im- ] prisonment respectively. ' "Colonel Gudgeon is satisfied with the ;

result of his visit, and considers that all

tho troubles aro ended." .