DEATH OF APORO TARUTUTU.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 188, 8 July 1896, Page 3

DEATH OF APORO TARUTUTU.

On Monday of last week there died at Otorohanga Aporo Tarututu, whose name will appear for ail time on the pages of New Zealand history. It was he who led the party sent by Eewi to stop the publication by Mr Gorst (now Sir .T. Gorst) of his paper the " Pihoihoi Moke-Moke," which being interpreted means " The Lonely Sparrow." Mr Gorst held the appointment at that time of Magistrate in the AVaikato, conferred upou him by Sir George Grey. He established the paper in order to counteract the influence of the ■' Kingite " publication the " Hukoi." Mr Gorst's articles were very pungent, so much so that they were too strong for the menial digestion of the natives. By way of refuting the adage " that the pen is stronger than the sword," Rawi Mauiapoto sent a force of 80 men under the leadership of the man whose death we have recorded above. When the}' arrived at Te Awamutu the offending editor was absent. The natives then bad praj'ers after which Aporo preached a forcible sermon with the iniquities of the Louely Sparrow for a text, embellished after the manner of the old Scottish Cnvenanteis with numerous texts. Immediately afterwards the party proceeded to burst open the printing office, and vented their righteous vengance, as they no doubt thought, on the type and primitive press. Mrs Gorst was in a somewhat criticalposition, but fortunately, thoraiding party were satisfied with having effectually stopped, for a time at any rate, the publication of the obnoxious periodi ■ cal. The natives in those days had not learned that the English law is persistent and far-reaching. Aporo, therefore ventured down to Auckland, and was arrested, tried and sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment for malicious injury to property. This was one of the immediate causes of the outbreak of hostilities between the two races, which renders Aporo en historical character. He has lived to -en great change in the aspect of the country and iu the relations between the two races. The former is dotted over with farms, and on tho spot where tho memorable incident took place is a pretty little Furopean township, with the iron rail of civilisation running through it. Mr Gorst shortly afterwards left the district, under instructions from the Government, as it was not deemed safe for him to remain. Thus ended tho first journalistic venture in the YVuikato distri ct. —Waikato Ti nies.