THE POLICE INSPECTOR'S REPORTS.

Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 102, 2 May 1898, Page 5

THE POLICE INSPECTOR'S REPORTS.

In accordance with instructions from the Minister for Justice (Mr. T. Thompson) Inspector Hickson, of Auckland, proceeded to Rawene on Saturday and consulted Mr. Clendon, the Stipendiary Magistrate of the district, and the local Justices. Yesterday afternoon the Inspector sent the following; message to the Government:—" Arrived at Rawene this afternoon. Have been met by Mr. Clendon, S.M., and Messrs. Yarborough, Wallace, and Clendon, Justices^ the two former of Kohukohu and the latter from Rawene. Mr. Clendon, S.M., informed me he sent a communication to the natives in accordance with your wishes of the 29th. The reply received was as follows: —' Yes; we will play, or otherwise fight. This, too, to-morrow, at Rawene. I shall come with all my guns and we will fight to-morrow.'" • A later message from Inspector Hicksou was to the effect that he had despatched Mr. Brown, the interpreter, and a Maori to make a reconnaissauce, as he had been warned that two bodies of natives intended to reach Raweue that night —one coining by the river from Waima and the other travelling by land. The telegram went on. to say:—" I have been credibly informed that there are only 50 men with arms at Waima, but very probably they are gaining adherents. There are a greart many natives friendly disposed, but it would take some time to collect them." The Inspector concluded .by saying that Mr. Webster, J.P., who has been resident in Hokianga for about 50 years, Colonel Noake, who is also settled in the district, as well as the Justices of the Peace, were strongly of opinion that a large armed force should be sent at once to Rawene —a view with which he quite agreed. The Maoris who are causing so much trouble are, the Inspector explained, a set of fanatics who do not fear death, and he urged the Government to send up between 60 and 90 men with a small battery of guns. Another report from Inspector Hickson stated that Rawene was practically deserted, nearly all the settlers having taken refuge either in Colonel Noake's or the s.s. Glenelg, on board of which the Inspector had travelled from the Manukau. At 7 o'clock last night Inspector Hickson reported that a number of natives had come into Rawene, and the party of Europeans had taken refuge on the Glenelg. The Rev. Mr. Gittos went to meet the""nallves, and asked them what they wanted. They replied that they wanted to be relieved of all taxation and to be allowed to live as Maoris. At the request of Mr. Clendon, S.M., and of Inspector Hiokson, the Rev. Mr. Gittos told them that they should bring their request before Parliament. Mr. Gittos says that he saw 50 natives, and he was informed there were 200 altogether, all being well armed. The rebels say they had no intention of burning the houses, nor would they interfere with the women or children, but their dealings would be only with the representatives of the Government—the men. The Government was further informed by Inspector Hickson that the Glenelg was about to start for Kohukohu, where she would remain for the night. The Inspector intended to go with her. The Gairloch, with a detachment of Permanent Artillery from Auckland, is due at Rawene at 5 o'clock to-night. A telegram received from Rawene by the Government this morning is of a reassuring Mr. Hone Heke, M.H.R. for the Northern Maori District, is still of opinion that there will be no bloodshed.