THE NATIVE OBSTRUCTION IN THE WAIKATO.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3650, 27 March 1883, Page 3

THE NATIVE OBSTRUCTION IN THE WAIKATO.

MAIIUKI AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARRESTED.

Alexandra, Saturday. The following is a message .sent down by special messenger from Otorohauga: — About 130 of us left Kopua this morning at about half-past nine o'clock. On arriving here wo found there had been a message .sent down to meet us with news to the effect that Mr Hursthouno and the others who were with him had been rescued bvaboutsixty of theNgatinianiiipolo, wiio arrived at Uini .settlement at a, little past 8 o'clock this morning. The Maniapotos went down to where they were imprisoned, and made prisoners of all the Tekiuuaruas that tried to oppose/the relieving party after securing Messrs JluystUoubo aud Catkeu. They fouud

the prisoners bound, and it seemd to all appearances that they had nothing to eat since they were taken. Mr Hursthouse and party arc at present at Kuiti, in charge of Taonui te Whau and Te Kooti. Sunday. About 200 natives assembled at Te Kooti'.s place, Te Kuiti, to-day. A meeting was held but nothing was done beyond talk. Mahuki said lie was willing to return to Te Uira or meet the Government officials at Alexandra. Some of the Ngatimaniapoto chiefs were opposed to Mr Ilursthonse j>roceeding further as involving danger, and desired that he should return the way he came; also, that "Mahuki should proceed with the Ngatimaniapotos to Pimui, meet them andWahanui, and there leave Mahuki to discuss a settlement of the matter it" possible. Mr Wilkinson has read to the principal Ngatimaniapoto chiefs a telegram from Mr Eryce thanking them for their conduct in rescuing Mr llurstliou.se, and adding at the same time he never intended to leave the question so entirely in the hands of Wahanui that the law should not be vindicated. The outrages and barbarous treatment had been so gross that it was impossible they could be passed over. The ringleaders should be arrested, and if they, Te "YVctere and Wahanui, could not do this, he (Mr Bryce) woi'ld take proceedings himself with that object. The natives convened a meeting later on to consider and discuss Mr Bryce's telegram. It is rumored that the natives will not agree that Mahuki should be handed over to the Government. Private telegrams received in Auckland from Ohinemutu state that the constabulary in that district are under orders to march. Monday. Tin's morning the obstructionists, numbering forty, rode on horseback into Alexandra, Mahuki leading the way, shouting like a. lunatic and calling- upon his God to save him and destroy the .Europeans. Coming up the road leading from Whatiwhatihoe bridge into the township they encountered Mr Aubin, a well-known storekeeper. They immediately seized and bound him, and pitched him into the fern like a pig. Another European, Mr Benge, schoolmaster at Alexandra, seeing their J advance made tracks and got safely away. Directly afterwards they were met by the Te Awamutu cavalry and Constabulary, who made very short work of them, the whole party being quickly apprehended and lodged in the redoubt to await the course of justice. Mr Wilkinson and Mr Hursthouse are now at Alexandra, the latter have come in to confer with Mr Bvvec. The Premier has been closeted with Mr Brycc all day on native affairs. Arrangements had been made for calling out the AVaikato and Waiuku cavalry, and orders had been sent to A\ ellington for the Hhicmoa to bring up the Armed Constabulary from Opuuake, but the capture of the obstructionists renders these .steps unnecessary. Mahuki, the ringleader, and 23 of his followers will lie brought down by special train to-night miller escort, and will be met shortly after midnight at the Newmarket railway station by Inspector Thompson and a detachment of Auckland police, and escorted to Mount .Eden gaol. Wellington-, Monday. Telegrams received from Mr Bryce last r'glit and to-day report that at a second meeting held yesterday at Te Kuiti Mahuki completely changed his demeanor from abject .submission to most overbearing truculciice, and his language became excessively violent and offensive, .suggesting the .suspicion that his previous submissiveness was a mere feint to disarm his ojiponcnts and gain time. lie did his utmost to excite las audience into fury, and to incite them to resist the Government. He spoke with contempt of Mr Bryce, .saying that lie (Mr Bryce) was not able to do anything. If lie wa* so strong why did he not come himself to take them But ho could do nothing without the aid of the native- chiefs. He would shortly smash Bryce's head and kick his ct cut ere (.s'V). He threatened to advance on Alexandra, and then go to Auckland and defy the pakehas to touch him, for his utua would protect him and kill them. The Government were warned last night that Mahuki and his followers would make a demonstration at Alexandra to-day, and prompt preparations were made. A proclamation was signed by his Excellency the Governor at an early hour this morning, calling out the Te Awamutu cavalry, and the lliiicmoa was ordered to be in readiness to take up IGO men from Opunake to-morrow morning. Armed with the proclamation, Mr Bryce this morning , called out the Tc Awamutu cavalry, which duly marched on the spot. This morning the news was telegraphed that the Maori rioters, numbering about 20, were then crossing the Whatiwhatihoe bridge on their way to Alexandra, where they duly arrived shortly before noon. They were met by the European force and summoned to surrender, but Mahuki replied A\lfh defiance, going to the front of his men and calling on God and Te Whiti to aid him and destroy his opponents. There was no supernatural response, however, and in a few minutes the whole 20, ineludingMahuki, werearrestedand firmly secured and marched off as prisoners to the Alexandra barracks, whence they will be in due course removed for trial. On the satisfactory intelligence being received of this favorable ternrnatiou of the affair, the orders for the sailing of the Hincmoa were countermanded, and all is now expected to go on quietly as before. 2.30 p.m. At 1 p.m. Mr Bryce telegraphed: — " Wahanui lias heard of the arrest and says he is 'clear' about it (i.e. approves). To show what were the intentions of the Tckaumarua in coining in this morning after crossing the Whathvhatilioe, they tried to seize a man who was on the road, but who got away. Fuither along they seized another, tied him up, and four of the party took him oft' the road into the fern, but they were seen and arrested by the cavalry."