THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY, MAORI PRISONERS TO BE BROUGHT TO WELLINGTON.

Evening Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 1, 1 July 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY, MAORI PRISONERS TO BE BROUGHT TO WELLINGTON.

It has been decided by the Government that all the Maori insurgents who are committed for trial by the magistrates in the Taranaki district shall be brought down to Wellington and tried here The New Plymouth gaol authorities applied to the Government yesterday that the gaol accommodation might be increased in order to find room for the numerous Maori prisoners already arrested and likely to be arrested, but received a reply to tho effect that instructions would be sent for the committal to Wellington of all the native prisoners, and tbat therefore the New Plymouth gaol would not be required to accommodate them. Th 6 Crown Prosecutor at that place has been instructed accordingly, and each batch of Maoris who are committed for trial on charges of trespass, forcible entry, wilful damage to property, &c, will be brought on at once by steamer to this port, and lodged in tbe Wellington Gaol, where preparations are being made for lheir reception. Once there they will remain to await their trial before the Supreme Court. Of the first batch of seventeen >i aori ploughmen arrested, two, who were mere schoolboys, were set at lilterty j the other fifteen are detained in custody to answer criminal indictments. Arrangements have been made for tbe irrest of all ploughing parties so soon as they attempt to commence operations. Intelligence has been received of the intention- of a party to cross the Waingongoro to-day and begin -ploughing; orders have therefore been sent to a strong force ot Armed Constabulary to be in readiness to 'pounce" on them itnd arresl the whole crowd. Rumours are afloat that a desperate effort is to be made to crrest both Te Whiti and Hiroki before the opening of Parliament, but this is at present unconfirmed.