MAORI RIOTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8404, 4 November 1890, Page 6

MAORI RIOTERS.

PRISONERS BEFORE THE COURT. The Maoris concerned in the recent riot ab Te Kuiti, to t! j number of 22, were charged at the Police Court yesterday before Dr. Giles with having, together with about 35 other evil di* nosed persons, riotously assembled to disturb the public peace, making a great noise and tumult to the great terror of Her Majesty's subjects ; also with having assaulted John W. Ellis and Harry J. W. St. Clair, having beaten, wounded, and illtreated them, against the peace of the Queen's subjects. The names of the prisoners are To Mahuki, Taituha, Tukutarewa, Moses (alias Pahiri), Matetu, Te Aramau, John Joseph, Ihaia, Manuka, Whareiti, Piri, Whare Hotu, Tomika Whero, Tuara, Puna, Koroheke, To Whiwhi, Awarua, Te Oko, Aterea, and George Joseph. Mr. James Mackay acted as interpreter, and Mr. Hudson Williamson appeared for the prosecution. Mr. O'Meagher appeared to watch the case for all the prisoners except To Mahuki. John William Ellis deposed that ho was a storekeeper at Te Kuiti, and also i justice of the peace. He had lived in the district four or live years, and understood the Maori language. On the 21st October he visited the Maori settlement of Te Kumi, on the invitation of Mahuki, being accompanied by M l '- ft nd Airs. Kelly. After dinner Mahuki made a random speech, interspersed with a number of quotations from Scripture, after which he asked witness whether he wanted his account paid. Mahuki then said that he did not intend to allow witness to return to Te Kuiti, and advised him to go away peaceably ; but witness refused, and made a start to go back to Te Kuiti. Mahuki then sent for his horse, which he mounted, and his example was followed by the others. Witness also asked Mahuki for a horse, and his request being granted, they all rode back to l'e Kuiti. As yet there had been no violence. As they were on their way back, Mahuki, referring to the stores at Te Kuiti, said, "That not one stone would be left npon another." When they arrived, guards were placed by the Maoris over the various stores, and they refused admission to the European owners. Considerable scuttling and violence was used to prevent the owners from entering Mr. Perry's house. When witness came to his own house, he found the door barred by a largo case, and a number of Maoris were also at hand. He did his utmost to open the door, but was held firmly by his assailants. Constables Wild and Farbea came to his assistance, the latter of whom succeeded in getting inside the store. Wright St. Clair, who was also present, was thrown down and secured, but was released by Constable Wild. After a long struggle witness gave up the attempt to get into-his store. After a while the guards were withdrawn, and the Maoris returned to To Kumi, and witness then went unmolested to his store. The reason why they discontinued their riotous behaviour was that they only wanted to be arrested ; and when they considered they had done sufficient to ensure this, they desisted. They came over again the following morning, when they were arrested by the police from Auckland, who had arrived in the meantime.

. The following letters were here put in as evidence :— October '24. To Ellis and all of you EuroDeans at Puhunui, —(Jive up to us two all your stores floods) ; we will pay for them on the 2nd of November. At ten minutes past eight o'clock the payment will be made. — Mant.a Masukcra. You seal this word and thoroughly swear it. October 7th. To Ellis,Greetings! This is my word to you. 1 have made peace in this island, and throughout the whole world, by God's direction. My word to you is that it is not good for the railway train to travel only once a week, but let it '.ravel every day. If this request is arranged by vou, then I may say to my tribe, and to the Onion New Zealand Companythey are to come. Then you will know that the good is of your God.— (Signed) Tk Mahuki.

Mahuki, when asked if he had any question-: to put, wanted to know who brought the name of God to New Zealand ? but Dr. Giles said that such a question had nothing to do with the case. He also wanted to know who brought the sword to New Zealand ? He then said, " Kill me, so that my body may die." Mahuki then asked if there had not been an agreement that a settlement should be made 011 the 2nd November for stores, and whether Mr. Ellis had nob demanded payment before that date ? Mr. Ellis replied that he had made *110 such demand, but had instructed his manager not to allow the Maoris to get more than £50 credit. Mahuki said that a similar arrangement had been made with the other storekeepers.

Edmund Perry, owner of a lodginghouse at To Kuiti, deposed that he only knew Mahuki, who owed him some money, and wrote to him asking him to come over to To Kumi to be paid on the '21« c October. In response to this letter ho went over in company with his wife, and saw Mahuki, but did not get paid, and went back after a short delay. lie had scarcely arrived home before lie saw a large crowd of mounted natives ride into tiie settlement, who dismounted, and guarded his house, as well as the houses of .Messrs. Ellis and Cashel. They prevented witness from entering, and treated his wife in a similar way. Witness saw a severe scuttle outside Mr. Ellis's store, a number of natives having hold of Mr. Ellis. He also noticed Mr. St. Clair surrounded by natives, and struggling violently. Witness did not know what to make of the conduct of the Maoris.

Mahuki asked witness if he did not offer him some land at Te Kumi, to which witness replied that Mahuki said something about it, but he thought he meant nothing. He looked upon the whole thing as a joke. Mahuki then said, " What does it matter about the debts? they were nob so many pounds when all told." Harry John Wright St. Clair deposed that he lived at Waipipi. He was at Te Kuiti on the evening of the 21st October, and noticed that the natives were in possession of the settlement, but they seemed very quiet. Native sentries guarded the European houses. He saw Mr. Ellis scuffling with the natives and went to his assistance, and was immediately attacked himself from behind. Puna, one of the accused, then struck him in the chest with his elbow. Witness, however, broke away from his assailants, and tackled George Joseph, who was holding Mr. Ellis, but was himself tackled by Ihaia, and a sharp struggle ensued in which they both fell to the ground. While he was down the natives commenced beating him. Witness, however, managed to struggle to his feet, whereupon another rush, headed byTomika, was made for him. He was then secured by some of the crowd while the others beat him. At this time he received a kick in the thigh, which he believed was delivered by Mahuki himself. He then noticed that his assailants were being scattered, and, on looking round, found that Mr. Perry had come to his assistance, but ho was almost immediately again tackled, thrown to the ground, and kicked about. He then cried, " Help ! Where are the police?" and Constable Wyld came to his assistance, and witness again got to his feet. On seeing .other furious onset coming against him, witness threatened to stretch out the first man that touched him, and laid hold of his knife. Some of the natives then cried out whether they would kill or beat him, to which Mahuki replied, " No; tie him up." He did not notice Tuara there, bub recognised nearly all the others.

To Mahuki said ho had no question to ask this witness, because he (Mahuki) was a soldier now, and these (the other natives) were his soldiers Richard Cashel deposed that he was a storekeeper at To Kuiti, and knew almost all the prisoners. He received an invitation from Mahuki to go to his settlement for payment of certain debts. Witness started for Te Kami, but hearing that Mahuki's followers were coming over to To Kuiti ho returned. When they arrived they surrounded his house, and he, fearing that trouble might ensue, made 110 attempt to enter his house. He noticed a lot of disorderly behaviour and obstruction. Tho natives owed him between £30 and £40. James Jar vis, manager for Mr. Ellis, deposed that he saw a company of natives enter Te Kuiti, the majority of whom he recognised in court. Witness then corroborated the evidence of the other witnesses with regard to the riotous behaviour of the prisoners. Mahuki asked him no questions. Alfred Julian, chaininan, deposed that ho witnessed the disturbance, and heard Mahuki order the Europeans away, spying that they did not require them any mora

He could recognise most of the prisoners in court lis being present on the occasion in question. Mahuki said he had no question to ask, and that witness was a very good friend of his. Constable Wyld deposed that he was stationed at Hamilton, and was at To Kuiti on the 21st of October. He saw Mahuki and his followers ride into the settlement. Mahuki made a long and excitable speech, and threatened to roll the police in the mud if they interfered. Witness then described the nature of the disturbance, corroborating the evidence of the previous witnesses? It was his opinion that the safety of the settlement depended at that time on the will of a madman, and the riot was of a most serious nature. Constable Forbes deposed that he was stationed at, Otorohanga. He was at To Kuiti on the day in question, and saw Mahuki and his followers ride in. The remainder of his evidenco was similar to that of the other witnesses. When asked if he had anything to ask, Mahuki complained that witness had a bad opinion of him. He said that he might have spoken loud, but did not the Europeans speak with swords and handcuffs? He also mentioned that he had only twelve followers (these represent the twelve apostles). After the depositions were read, Dr. Giles declared the defendant Wharuta discharged, inasmuch as there was not sufficient evidence to implicate him. All the others were committed for trial.