THE LITTLE BARRIER EXPEDITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10034, 22 January 1896, Page 5

THE LITTLE BARRIER EXPEDITION.

SERVING EJECTMENT NOTICES.

"PASSIVE RESISTANCE."

TENETAHI BROUGHT TO AUCKLAND About nine o'clock yesterday morning the M. Nautilus returned to Auckland from the Little Barrier, having on board Mr. McAlister (representing Mr. Tole, the Crown Solicitor), Mr. Monzies, bailiff, and the major portion of the force sent to serve ojectment notice on Tenetahi and those with him, permanent residents on the island,, which has been ncquired by the Government for the purpose of the preservation of New Zealand birds, etc. On the Nautilus also were Tonetahi, Rahui te Kiri, his wife, and one other resident, the remainder of those living on the island having been landed at their own request at Omaha. The Nautilus left for the Little farrier ■shortly after midnight on Monday morning, with Mr. McAlister, 13 of the Permanent Artillery under Lieutenant Hume, Mr. Menkes (bailiff), Mr. Thompson (interpreter), and Constable Luke McDonnell, the services of the last named being specially asked for, as ho had known and been friendly with Tenetahi for years. The Nautilus arrived at tho Little Barrier about five o'clock in the morning, two boat-loads of armed Artillerymen being landed about half-an.hour afterwards. Tonetahi was on the beach to receive the party, and commenced to remonstrate, complaining that an injustice had been done him by Parliament. The main body of the forco were then left on the beach, and a party consisting of Mr. McAlister, Lieutenant Hume, Mr. Monziea, Constable McDonnell, and Mr. Thompson, with an orderly, proceeded with Tonetahi to his house. Here again he said he had been unjustly treated, bub on Constable McDonnell tapping him, in a friendly way on the shoulder, and asking him to come away without making any bother, Tenetahi and his wife went with the party to the Nautilus. On arriving on board Tenetahi said his son and daughter had gone to the Great Barrier some ten days before, and having hoard nothing of them, he was anxious to see if they were safe. On embarking the party at five o'clock, and after the course had been shaped for Omaha, Tenetahi made known this wish and Mr. McAlister undertook to take him there. Tenetahi, however, is said to have afterwards changed his mind, and ho and tho remainder of tho party were brought on to Auckland.

TENETAIIt's STORY. After landing Tenetahi was ?oen by a HERALD representative at the office of Mr. Fred Karl, who has acted as his solicitor. In answer to questions Tenetahi said:— "At the termination of the case ab the Magistrate's Court I mado no statement that I would resist in any forcible way; I simply said when the bailiffs came to evict me they would find me at home. The people entitled with me to the island were ray wife Rahui te Kiri, Wi Tarawa my son, and Napokn my daughter. Of these only myself and my wife were on the island at the time my children being away at a tangi on the Great Barrier. Thore wore two Europeans who wore occasionally employed digging gum, Charley Dennis, Harry Anderson, a Kanaka called Sam, a Maori woman married to one of the white men, and two children, I did not intend to make any resistance ab all. Five were put off last nicht to Omaha, and I, my wife, and Harry Anderson came on here. Everything was in very pood temper, and thoro was no dispute. When Mr. McAlister came to me, I told him when I was paid my share of the ownership of tho island I would leave. Then I was told they would destroy ray house and burn ib with fire; than we want for some food. Then ono man seized mo by the waist, but he was told there was no need. I have left my crop?, my maize, my kumeras, my potatoes, fifteen cattle, seventy sheop, many pigs, and fowls, and turkeys. I have been waiting to sen Hone Helco, but he Ims been travelling in the South with Wi Pere, and I could not reach him even by telegraph. I do not know what 1 shall do."

FROM A EUROPEAN STANDPOINT. Mr. MeAlwtor, who, as representing the Crown, was in charge of the party, says that. Tenetahi gavo a passive resistance, but thoro was no trouble. No one certainly touched Tenetahi except Constable MoDonnoll. who pnfcted him on the shoulder in a friendly way (which Tonetahi states), and he hoard not a word as to anything being said as to burning the house. Every facility was given to the residents to get together thoir belongings, and they wero told that whenever they chose to go and fetch the remainder, stock or what not, every facility would bo offered them, Throe artillerymen were loft on the island, with the caretaker, with instructions to lot anv Maori land to eot property bolonging to him. but to allow no permanent re'idents to again take up occupation. The journey co Auckland was delayed practically 11 hours, because Tenetahi said he wanted to go to tho Groat Barrier, but after landing at Omaha ho kept the boat waiting sevoral hours, and thon changed his mind. In reforenco to the statement made by Tenotahi that he would leave the island if his money was paid him, Mr. MoAlister informed him rhat the monoy w>is awaiting him at the Public Trustee's office at Auckland.