THE MAORI PRISONERS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 388, 19 July 1879, Page 18

THE MAORI PRISONERS.

Ngamari, Toti, Ratigi, Te Hama, and Ikaroa, were charged at the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, before T. A. Mansford, Esq., R.M., with having on June 29 entered upon certain land at Opunake, and ploughed up a portion of it, inflicting damages amounting to more than £5 in value. They were also charged with assembling for the purpose of creating a riot, and refusing to disperse when ordered. The prisoners were defended by Mr. Gully ; Mr. Bell prosecuted. Butler was sworn in as interpreter. The Hreuinstauces of the case, as deposed to by ,-> e rgean t-Major Duneen, were to the effect that on the day named the four latter prisoners were ploughing on the land in question, which is near Te Namu station. The ground consisted of ten acres, and was the property of Government. Part of it was used for a paddock for the Constabulary horses, and part as

a cricket ground. The four prisoners we 1-8 ploughing there with one plough and two horses, about midday. They were ploughing in the middle of the ten acres, on the portion used for a cricket ground, of which they ploughed up about three acres. They would not desist when ordered, and their plough was seized and removed to the other side of the stream by order of Sub-Inspector Goring. The prisoners returned to the land, and started ploughing again. They subsequently left and proceeded towards their villages, but were met by Ngamari, who returned with them to the land. They were about to commence ploughing again under Ngamari’s orders when their horses were seized and again removed. Ngamari would not go off the laud when ordered, and was consequently arrested.—Corroborative evidence having been given, the prisoners were committed for trial, they reserving their defence.

Thirteen Maoris, namely, Hunanga, Huirua, Renau, Kohi, Raugi, Te Hama, Te Rerewa, Ikaroa, Takuta, Taurua, Rangihaeata, Wiremu Kingi Matakatea, and Tama Noho Mai, were then charged with trespass, and with assembling in force and with arms. The particular* of this case, as deposed to by Sergeant Major Duneen and two other members of the A. C. force, were to the effect that on July 5 the prisoners assembled at Mr. Bailey’s land at Taranaki, and pulled down the fence, substituting for it a Maori “ pig-proof ” fence, with a ditch. They were arrested by orders of Sub-Inspector Goring,'' and some offered resistance, while others went quietly. The prisoners reserved their defence, and were committed for trial.