THE LITTLE BARRIER EVICTION EPISODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10084, 20 March 1896, Page 5

THE LITTLE BARRIER EVICTION EPISODE.

ANOTHER EXPEDITION.

TENETAHI AND THREE OTHER

MAORIS ARRESTED.

As we announced yesterday morning the armed force under orders to proceed to the Little Barrier on Wednesday night left in the 8.8. Hinemoa. Ib consisted of Lieutenant Hume, Corporal Boyle, and 18 of the Permanent Force. Advantage was taken of (ho steamer being up on her usual cruise round the lighthouses of the coast to utilise her services. Mr. McAliaber, of the firm of Tole and McAlister, Crown solicitors, accompanied the force, a Government interpreter, as also Coustable Luke McDonnell, of the Wator Police, who could idontify the natives wanted. Information had been received in Auckland, via Little Omaha, from the caretaker on the island that some of the natives who wore recontly removed from the island by the expedition which went down in the s.s. Nautilus, had returned some days ago, and were again occupying their former quarters. It has transpired that within the past two months throe separate attempts have been made by three Maoris to re-occupv the island, but the guard on the iiland was strong enough to compel them to loave the island in their boat. Within the last few days a fourth attempt was made, eight men landing on tho island. The guard could only have kopt them from landing by firing upon them, and they very properly did not resort to extreme measures, having no warrants, bub contented themselves with reporting tho state of affairs to the authorities in Auckland.

Tenetahi, it seems, has not relinquished his claim on tho island or applied for the money paid in on his behalf to tho Public Trustee.

The Hinemoa arrivod at the Little Barrier at daylight yesterday morning, and the armed force landed at fivo a.m. They found six natives there, who said, it is alleged, they were going to stay till forcibly removed—four men and two women. Tho men arretted were Tenetahi, Wi Paraonc (Tenetahi's son), Honare Tamihana, and Keri Reihana. Four other men for whom warrants were out had left tho island. The two women (one ot them Tenetahi's wife) were anxious to bo arrested also, but Mr. MacAlister declined to do so, and thoy wore landed at Omaha. The men were brought on to Auckland yestorday.

AT THE POLICE COURT. Ab tho conclusion of the business of the Magistrate's Court, yestorday afternoon, Mr. Earl informed His Worship that some Maori "tourists" had been arrested ab tho Little Barrier, and ho wished bo bavo them bailed out. Tho "tourists" were brought before tho Bench, and proved to be Tenetahi, his son, and two other natives. They wero formally charged with having wilfully trespassed on tho island, and were remanded until this morning. Mr. Earl said he would be personally responsible for their attendance, and they were allowed out on bail, on their own recognisances. Counsel said ib was nob in ordor for him to plead ab that juncture, but hecould assure theßench that, from the conversation he had had with his clients, it was all a mistake, and they had only gono to the island for the purpose of looking after some pigs that wero destroying certain kuraaras belonging to the natives.