REFUSAL TO PAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 7 January 1929, Page 4

REFUSAL TO PAY

POLICE PARTY’S MISSION

(By Telegraph—Special to “The Mail”)

AUCKLAND, sth January. The distress warrant which the police have gone into the Urewera Country to serve is .'issued against Rua. The . amount is £9O. Rua has persistently refused to pay the amount, and states that he wilt not be taken. A message from Rotorua definitely states that the police party was armed, and is expected back at Te Whaiti this afternoon. Te Whaiti is a village on the fringe cf the Uretyera, and is 54£ miles from Rotorua, and about 20 miles from Maungawhatu, Rua’s stronghold. ■

WARRANT SATISFIED

(Bv Telegraph—Press.. Association)

WELLINGTON, This Day. In connection with the despatch of a body of armed police into Urewera Country to enforce payment of a civil claim bv Rua. the Commissioner of Police, “ Mr Mcllveney yesterday received the following telegram front district police headquarters at Hamilton. “The police party is now at Te Whaiti, all well. The amount of the warrant was paid hv Rua and no arrest was made. The inspector is returning on Tuesday.

INVITED TO MOR7.ING TEA

(By Telegraph— Special to “The Mail’’)

AUCKLAND, This Day.. Arriving at Maungapohatu at 7 o’clock on. Saturday morning the police immediately went 'into conference with Rua. Although the police were armed for emergencies, there was no indication of unfriendliness in the mien of the natives who exhibited great willingness to assist the police in. every way. At first Rua was unwilling to accede to the Inspector’s requests, but finally recognised its justness and made a satisfactory agreement. _ . After discussion the natives invited the pSTice to take morning tea with, them and later in the morning the police left the pa and Sergeant llogan and Constable McPherson returned to Te Whaiti, arriving there in the afternoon and on the same evening Sergeant Hogan returned to Ruatahuiia to await the arrival of Inspector Eecles, who remained behind at Te Whaiti with a constable. He was not expected to arrive at Ruatalmna until late yesterday afternoon or early this morning. The whole party will then return to Rotorua.

At present the Maungapohatu pa is practically deserted owing to the absence of the male population on shearing work.