NEWS FROM THE COOK GROUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8668, 10 September 1891, Page 5

NEWS FROM THE COOK GROUP.

{FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Awarua, September 2. On July 27 Mr. Moss, the British Resident, left iu the Bchoouer Goldfinoh for Mangaia, being accompanied by Mr.- H. Nicholas, who acted as interpreter, one or two chiefs from here, and myself. On arriving at the island Mr. Moss was kindly invited by Mr. Harris, the missionary, to partake of hia hospitality, but Mr. Moss declined, as 110 had made up his mind to live among the natives themselves, as he believed he , would thus the better gain their confidence and learn all that was to be learnt. - _ # Mangaia, it may mentioned, is divided into six districts, each district being presided or ruled over by a governor, and these governors exercise enormous powers, and are responsible to no ono for their government. Mr. Moss sent invitations for the chiefs to meet him next day at King John's residence. At tho meeting Mr. Moss reasoned with them, and pointed out that his visit was one to make peace and to help them, not to hurt them, and he hoped that tho , trouble that he had come to Mangaia respecting would be peacefully settled before the time arrived for his returning to Raro tonga. The native speakers expressed their pleasure at hearing this from Mr. Moss, as they had feared he had come with hostile feeling against them. Mr. Moss said that they must begin a new era, and givo up those party quarrellings, and the exclusively church government must end now and for ever. Church troubles, he told them, must not be brought into their politics, nor vice versa. One native chief said the Bible was their law, and he argued at great length from the Old Testament, and exhibited a knowledge of the Bible that was astonishing, quoting passages, verses, aud chapters in a manner that would have made a Bible student quite envious. He did not wish the mode of conducting their laws altered, and considered the Church was the right party to rule spiritually and otherwise. However, good work was done at this meeting—it ending with the chiefs shaking hands with Mr. Moss. > The meeting adjourned until the following Monday (August 3), when the chiefs were to consider the advisability of electing a Council, and forming new laws. On the day fixed the meeting was held, and after Mr. Moss had fully explained the mode of working a council, he left the meeting, and the natives commenced their deliberations. After some little talk, 22 were elected as a council, as near as possible all the districts being equally represented, and the names of the councillors were forwarded to Mr. Moss for hia approval. This being obtained, the council commenced their work in earnest, but their first step led to an almost total collapse of the whole affair. The old party trouble cropped up right at the start when the wont of choosing a chairman came up. Both parties were very stubborn, and it was not until a great amount of elocutionary energy had been expended and wordy threats exchanged that a chairman could be obtained agreeable to all parties. Three men were proposed, and furious language was used, but upon Miringetangi being elected (lie was the third proposed) the Council calmed down. They then set to work, but so much time had been taken up over the chairmanship that little could be done that day. They agreed that there should be only one Council and not three, but on the question of separating the council from the church, or making laws irrespective of the church, timo was required to think the matter over, and the meeting consequently adjourned. Next day they again met, and the last question re Church and State -was settled as Mr. MO3S wished, and upon that being done the work of framing laws went on a little better and somewhat more harmoniously. For ten days they sat, and during that time they put their old laws into shape to show Mr. Moss what I existed up to that time. These proved most 1 childish ones, and he consequently would not ask the Council to pass them. With this work the meeting adjourned until the 17th, as the intervening few days were to be devoted to pleasure, it being the occasion of the opening of the new church. For this event very great preparations had been made, very nearly every man, woman, and child on the island being present on the opening day, and the sight was a very C leasing and stirring one, aud for the time eing it was very evident that all party feeling was dropped. The church is a very handsome and substantial building. It is built of stone, cemented over inside, and out. The walls aro very massive, being of great thickness in order to resist the fearful force of a hurricane, and the workmanship (all native) is most creditable. The building is interiorly fitted up vory much 011 the European plan. A great deal of the woodwork is native, the balance being' New Zealand kauri, and the doors and windows are Auckland made. The ceremony of consecration, &c., was wholly in the native language, as were all the opening services, and preaching, praying, &c., was about equally divided with eating each day. The cost of the erection of the olmrch is over -1000 dollars, that is outside of labour and native material, which, of course, comes in free. To provide for the satisfying of the inner man over 830 pigs were slaughtered in addition to turkeys, fowls, &c., while the customary native dishes, with yams, kumeras, &c., were in bulk sufficient to almost load one of your English ships. On tho 17th, the day to which the Council was adjourned, the members again assembled, and the work of forming new laws was taken in hand. Among them was the law providing for the organising of a Government, with a special clause separating it from the Church, but this was not done without some trouble and hard words being used. The laws passed were most of them similar to those passed at Rarotonga. Law 14 was the one that caused some trouble, but eventually it was carried. It provides, The Council and Government have nothing to do with the religion of anyone sitting in the Council, or being a judge or a member of the Government, or employed by them in any way. That is a matter for God to judge, and not for men. If a man be a member of the Church it is well. If he bo not a Church member he shall not for that reason be hurt nor lose his office. If he does wrong he must be judged openly by the Government, and the Government must give to him in writing the reason why his office is taken from him." Other laws provide for Courts to be held in tlio day time, and records to be kept. In rape the age of consent was fixed at 15 (one year more than the Rarotonga law.) In all 16 laws were passed, besides a Government being formed, consisting of the six governors and two arikis, and Mr. Moss was very well pleased with the work done.

But there was still the main work to be done, for which the visit was made to Alangaia, and that was in reference to the refusal to pay the compensation claim of Messrs. Donald and Edenborough. The amount was 1390 dollars. The whole of the trouble in the refusal to pay arose from the fact that the mission party opposed the paying. The anti-mission party assisted Mr. Moss in every possible way towards a settlement of the trouble. When the Council had concluded their work of law-making, Mr. Moss plainly made known his wishes, and what was required from the natives, and he expressed himself as unwilling to go to harsh measures, but he must have the claim settled in some way before he again left the island. (It should be distinctly undeistood that Mr. Moss did not attend at their meetings over this question, but left thom to settle the mutter themselves, he being communicated with by letter.) One of the governors who from the first agreed to pay was Vaipo (not Kapo, as published in my letter on August 4th), and he still remained firm, and greatly assisted Mr. Moss, travelling (although an old man) in daytime and at night from settlement to settlement with communications to the Governors on this question, and many times he escaped personal violence during the execution of his work. On August 20 letters weresentcallingameeting at the schoolhonse to consider the compensation claim. Next morning there were all the representatives piesent, with Tepou o te Rangi, of Rarotonga, in the chair. Tepou, turning to Vaipo, asked, " What is your opiuion about this flue?" Vaipo said lie was willing to do what was right, and that everyone knew that that was his wish from the first. The chairman to Pute (another chief) ".What is your opinion about this fine, aud will you pay or not?" The reply was,"l do not know; I will do as Vaipo says, what is right and proper." Turuina here said, "The matter rests with the kings to settle.' At this Vaipo rose, and striding over to Turuma, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You are right, it rests with the kings, and let it be settled without any trouble." Instantly Miringetangi rose and rushed across the room, he being followed by others of his party, and with their clenched fits stuck close in the face of Vaipo, denounced him, and turning to the chairman fiercely declared, " We nave our God by our side, and so we will sink under the claim and die, but we will not pay it; never, never!" This they continually repeated. At this a scene of the utmost confusion reigned, but amidst it all Vaipo stood calm and uncowed. It was impossible to distinguish a word that was uttered, so fierce were the denunciations of the party. Eventually Miringetangi and others were quieted down, and the Chairman said the chief named was evidently there to create a row,' and hoped matters would go along better at the next meeting, and so that one wis adjourned. On the 24th the members again assembled, but Miringetangi and Ngariu, : the two chief opponents to the claim being paid, were absent, also the Chief Kiri-iti. ; The best part of the day was taken up with desultory talking, but

it was finally resolved that there should be °? e 'V oro talk, and a decision finally arrived at, ■■ those present being of opinion that the claim must be paid, 30 the meeting adjourned till next day. That evening a couple of letters were sent to Kiri-iti and Ngariu by King John, asking them why they had not attended the meeting that day, and so that there should 00 no mistake the messenger was provided with paper, ink, &c., so chat answers could written. Tho letter said, "If you won't come, send your roasous. If you were persuaded by Mirinßetangi not to come, do not listen to him.". That evening, in the course 9|. a conversation with the missionary, Mr. Nicholas remarked that he believed the whole matter could be settled if ho would only speak or do something. Mr. Harris replied, "Do you think so." "Yes," said Mr. Nicholas, and I intend to assist bv subscnbing 20 dollars." v " Well then I will give 10 dollars, replied Mr. Harris. Mr. Nicholas left, and armed with the promised donation trom the missionary, made the ■ fact known at once. The news quickly flew, and it had a wonderful effect. That evening Daniela, a staunch church party, and a friend of •Ngariu, came to see Mr. Nicholas, and ho said lie came to make peace, and as a proof said lie had' 100 dollars which he wished to give Mr. Moss. Mr, Nicholas asked from whom : the money came, but Daniela refused to tell, but urged its acceptance. " No," was the reply, all must agree to the payment or the claim, and if that money is from JNtfarni, we will see what can be done, but Mr. Moss has passed his decision, and it: cannot be altered. Daniela then lef* but returned again soon afterwards and said the money was from Ngariu. The 100 dollars were then accepted, and he was told to tell JNgariu to bo present at the meeting next nay. At throe p.m. 011 the 25th (the Torea had meanwhile hove in sight, and we were to leave at four p.m. for Rarotonga) a meeting was held. Mr. Harris, for the first time, was present in addition to all the other chiefs, etc. Miringetangi was present, and he came in with head bowed, and appeared fully ashamed, and took 110 part in the subsequent talk, simply giving in his consent to pay. Mr. Harris addressed the; meeting, and, addressing Vaipo, said, "I have nothing to say to you or your people." He said, The best thing is to pay the.fine and let us nave peace. Other chiefs spoke, urging the same, remarking, " Don't let the representatives of Aitutaki, of Atiu, and of tonga, or the British Resident return to their homes and say we would not pay this claim." Ngariu still held out, and matters began to look aa if we should arrive at no definite results, as four o'clock was approaching, Every effort was made to induce this Governor to accede, but without avail, and so the meeting closed. Soon after it had dispersed a letter came from this stubborn chief agreeing to go in with the rest, and a few minutes before we embarked the sum of 288 dollars was handed to Mr. Moss on behalf of the claim, with a letter from the Government containing a promise that the balance should be paid as quickly as possible. Mr. Moss then sent word that Mr. Charles Ward had been instructed to see to and send on any complaints from Mangaia to him if the complainants found any difficulty in getting their despatches forwarded. I have said Mr. Moss wanted to get into direct intercourse with tho natives, and so decided to take up his residence among them, and most astounding stories did lie hear. W e found the people were in perfect terror of the police. Every native on becoming a church member becomes a policeman, and 111 that position he had_ full liberty to roam ut will by day or by night,'and they become tho sole .judges of public morals. The law of Mangaia is that everyone shall go into his house at six o'clock each evening and remain there until morning. Now, to understand the police system I may state that on a policeman taking office no pay comes to him, but he has to look round him and earn his living, hence his anxiety to "get up a case." They make the charge against a culprit, they try the case, and levy the line, collect it, and then it is equally divided between the 'foorce." This is a law that had been in force in Mangaia for some thirty or more years, and has worked well for the policeman until the visit of the British Resident, whenit received its first check. But while that is the law, to carry it out the polioe have had recourse to acts of cruelty that one could hardly believe if they were not substantiated by corroborative evidence. Mr. Moss, hearing of these tilings, kept a watch upon the doings of tho police, and one evening about ten o'clock while sitting oil the verandah of his house ho saw some men apparently dragging some women along tho street. Thinking something was wrong, he followed up the party, keeping out of their sight, and lie saw them enter a house. He followed and stepped in. It was a low miserably small hut, the only light being that given by a candlo hut torch held by one of some live or six terror-stricken women who: were crouching down in one corner of the hovel, while the men (policemen) stood over them threatening, and were endeavouring to obtain some confession from them. Mr. Moss, in a towering rage, rated them soundly in the best native he could bring to his command, and ordered the release of the women, telling tho police if they had any charge they must bring it against the women in the open Court in the day time. Next day the newly-formed Government were called together, and the women were properly tried and acquitted. At this meeting Mr. Moss closely questioned the members of Parliament as to acts of cruelty 011 the part of the police, and after a great deal of hesitation the chairman admitted that not very long back a woman, who was supposed to have committed some breach of a law, was seized, and made to stand in the public road, 011 a half round piece of wood, a heathen drum, such as the Rarotongan troupe had with them in Auckland at the Jubilee year. She had to stand 011 the round part, and without support, holding above her head with her two hands a large piece of wood; and so she would have to stand balancing herself as beat she could until she made a confession that would prove satisfactory to the police. If the poor tortured woman moved a foot she was struck a sharp blow 011 her heel with a stick, or it she moved an arm that was struck with a stick, and this by a policcmau who remained beside her. When he got tired lie was relieved, but a confession was the only relief open to the police-accused prisoner. Another mode of torture the police exercised was to strip a woman and place her in a small close room, her only companions being rats, mosipiitos, insects, and filth. Confession released her, but only to have to pay some exorbitant fine imposed upon her by her informers. Another stylo of torture was to take a woman and make her wrists fast with a description of rope. She was then strung up to a beam so that her toes just rested 011 the rounded side of a heathen drum, and there she was kept until a confession passed through her lips. If the poor creature happened to let her toes slip off the wooden log, well, then the whole of her weight fell on her wrists, and there she would hang— policeman standing by to sec the victim did not escape ! or did not suffer insufficiently. Last Christmas three women were driven through the streets half naked, their new holiday attire torn to pieces, and the police were thrashing them with sticks, because they had some articles for which they did not account to the satisfaction of their tormentors. Mr. Mo3s laid an information against the policemen concerned in this, but lie did not call witnesses ; only laying the information to show the people that the police were amenable to the / law, tho oamo no anyone else; and his reason for not calling witnesses was his fear that at some time or other in the future they might be ill-treated for giving evidence. The result of : unearthing such misdeeds as the above are samples of was that the Government were called upon by Mr. Moss to alter their police laws, and now things are 011 a somewhat better footing. But he was compelled to leave matters very much to the natives, for having 110 revenue, he could not get a proper police force appointed. Now Mr. Moss holds the Government responsible for the proper working of the police, and he has made it well known that tho police are just as amenable to tho law as any other person. The decisive check which the police have received has already had a most beneficial effect. The people, instead of being depressed in spirits and afraid to be seen talking to a European, or in parties together, are now apparently happy, and for the few remaining days of our stay at the Islands itwas difficult to walk the streets, the people all pushing forward anxious to shake hands with Mr. Moss, and in other ways showing their gratitude for the good work that had been accomplished. At five p.m. 011 the 25th wo left the island, bound homo, and tho good little schooner Torea was filled with passengers. A good run brought us home, and as we skirted along the reef past the villages of Avarua and Avatiu tho native passengers burst out into song, singing hymns of congratulation, ending as the schooner entered the harbour of Avatiu with God Save the Queen." Mr. Moss since his return, has been very ill, suffering from a bad bilious attack, which has confined him to his bed. He is, however, somewhat better, lie feels confident that good will result from his visit, that the troubles are finally settled, and that the laws (old and new) will be properly administered. In a few days Mr. Moss intends to proceed to Aitutaki, there to adjust some matters awaiting his presence