NATIVE DISTURBANCE AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1443, 3 July 1868, Page 8

NATIVE DISTURBANCE AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS

STJCCESSFHL MISSION OF ME. COMMISSION UK MACKAY. SUEEENDEE OF THE ALLEGED MTJUDEBEE. It will be remembered by our readers that about the time his Jixcellency Sir George Bowen visited the Bay of Islands news was received in that place of native disturbances in the neighbourhood of Hokianga, and many natives of tho Bay had gone over towards the Hokianga Eiver, and that the Hon. Mr. Richmond had proceeded to the scene of the quarrel; Mr. Williams, 8.M., Waimate, and' Jtir. Barstow, E.M., Kussell, also went down <vith a view to attempt some mediation between the belligerent parties. On the 25th of April the Hon. J. C. Eichmond returned to Eussell with the news that the quarrel was over. , The cause of the quarrel seems to he somewhat as follows:—A dispute had arisen between Hardiman, a half-caste belonging to a hapu of the Ngapuhi tribe called Ngatikuri, and 31 ohi Tawhai, of the Earawa tribe, about the succession to a piece of land near the Hokianga Hiver. As the tribes could not arrive at any amicable arrangement on the matter, thev both assumed a hostile attitude, and built certain pas at either end of the disputed block. A native of the Ngapuhi tribe, named Ncku, persisted in leaving his own pa and passing that of Hardiman, at the same time making use of in-; suiting expressions towards the Earawas. This lie did repeatedly, in spite of warnings, but at the fourth time he was fired at from the pa, and killed. The .Karawas delivered up the murderer, a half-caste called Te "Wake, to the European magistrates soon after their arrival, and he was committed for trial, but he unfortunately managed to effect his escape before he could be brought into the settlements. After the surrender of the prisoner, when peace was supposed to be concluded, the Earawas left their position, and retreated up the Whirinaki stream. When, however, learnt of the murderer's escape they crossed the river, ostensibly with a view to re-capture Te Wake. Firing. soon commenced ou either side, and one man of the. Kgapuhi tribe was killed just before Mr. Commissioner Mackay arrived upon the scene. : We must now look back and re-commence our narrative from the time that the attitude of the Hokianga natives became known in Auckland. Matters having arrived at a very threatening state, and there being con--siderable danger of a serious native war in the North, the Government thought it best that Mr. Mackay should proceed to the Bay of Islands and attempt to mediate between the ■contending parties, and recover , the es- ; caped prisoner, Te Wake. Mr. Mackay, accordingly, left Auckland on ' the 31st May, on board H.M.S. Brisk, Captain Hope, accompanied by the following Hauraki'and Waikato chiefs—William te Wheoro, W. H. Taipari, Nini Kukutai,'Hqri Taurba, Honana, of Cabbage Bay'j NgakapaVPiniha, arid Hakiriwhi, and three native policemen. On the same day (Sunday), the Brisk called at Eawau, wherellr. Mackay had an interview with Sir George Grey, and left that place at 3 p.m. on the same day, arriving at the Bay- on Monday morning between nine and ten.- During the rest of the' day Mr. Mackay and his party remained at Eussell; getting horses and preparing for the journey before them, and on that evening they crossed over to Waitangi. Mr. Mackay having succeeded in "making peace between the Uarawa and Ngapuhi tribes, thereupon demanded the surrender of tha alleged murderer from the former tribe; this demand was in the first instance refused, but subsequently after discussing the matter in runanga,

On Thursday (11th) morning Winiata said that the chiefs had agreed to give up Te Wake, and that a messenger had been sent to Te Wake at Motukauri, asking him to surrender quietly. About noon the messenger returned and 1 aaid that Te Wake wished to see Te Tai and Winiata at Motukauri. The nest morning (12th tilt.,) Te Tai and Winiata went to Motukauri, and on their return in the evening said that the natives would not give up Te Wake because the Ngapnhi had been firing at them from a canoe that passed in the morning. Accordingly, Mr. Mackey crossed over to Onoke to ascertain whether there was any truth in the report. The .Ngapuhi said that it was not true, but that one shot had been fired out of the pa, and that Mohi was very angry, andhadtaken away the offender's gun, which was-handed over to Mr. Mack ay. The Ngapuhis then signed a formal document of peace so that there could be no further mistake about the matter. Mr. Mackay remained at Onpke all night and re-crossed to Te Earaka •on the morning of the 13th, when he found that Te Wake had arrived in a canoe. It was agreed that he should surrender himself, and the Uarawas signed an agreement making peace, and on Sunday, the 14th, Te Wake surrendered, and was handed •over to the charge of the native policemen. Having' thus successfully attained his double object, Mr. Commissioner Mackay left Te JS.araka next day, and pulled up the river as far as Tarawaihou. On Tuesday he reached Waitangi on. horseback, and on Wednesday, 15th" ult., '■ crossed over to B.us*ell, and embarked on board the Jimma with his party of chiefs, who had accompanied him and the prisoner. The Emma left Eussell at 5 p.m. that day, but experienced strong southerly breezes and heavy seas. She put into the Kawau on Saturday morning, and left at 12.30 p m arriving in Auckland about 5 p.m. The prisoner was conveyed at once to the Stockade, there to await his trial afc the next sittings of the Supreme •Court. r