FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23276, 20 February 1939, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FEAR OF TE KOOTI The visit of the notorious Maori chief Te Kooti to Poverty Bay 50 veers ago caused considerable alarm among tho settlers, and the Government was criticised for allowing the former rebel to continue his journey. The following is an extract from a statement issued by the Government, which appeared in the New Zealand Herald of February 1889: , . , . "In deference to the feelings of tne people of Gisborne, the Government have used every effort except actual force, which would be clearly illegal, to prevent Te Kooti going to Gisborne, and will continue to do so. The Government have full information as to Jle Kooti's movements and are satisfied that there is no fear whatever of his breaking the law. Should he persist going to Gisborne, notwithstanding the efforts the Government are still making to prevent him, the Government ho]>e the settlers will help them to maintain the law evenly between the two races;