THE MAORI TROUBLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 33

THE MAORI TROUBLE.

FRIENDLY CHIEFS MEDIATE.

THEY ARE UNSUCCESSFUL AND APPEA.L TO THE GOVERNMENT. "THE MOTHERLY HEART OF THE QUEEN." A MAILMAN STUCK UP. Thuksdai . The Government received a telegram from Inspector Hickson yesterday morning that the native chiefs who went oat to interview the natives on Tuesday ntghfc had returned with the following message from the Hauhaus: " If we yield would not we be arrested and sent to prison for this crime of having taken up arras against our Mother the Queen, and coming into Rawene and violating the law by the non-payment of dog taxes ?"

When asked to deliver up their arms, Romana, one of the rioters (the uncle of Hone Toia) replied that he had paid for , his gun and why should he give it up. It should be a matter, at any rate, for future consideration.

Hone Mete, another of the disaffected natives, said he had made a pledge that if he yielded he would consent to allow himself to be shot by his own people. The friendly native chiefs have wired as follows to the Premier :

" We, the native chiefs of Hokianga, have been to stop the trouble caused by Hone Toia and his people, and in reply to our persuasions to end their disturbance they replied as follows (the reply is the same as quoted above). We replied that we could not answer those questions and would place them before the guardians of the peace. The native ohiefs have held a consultation, but could do nothing, so we now submit the matter to you for settlement. Now, O Father, we pray you to treat this very great offence which these foolish people have committed, leniently, and point out to us a means whereby they may be saved. For our own part, we will continue our endeavours to prevent this trouble growing and spreading.-(Signed) Re Te Tai Papahia, Ramera Wharerau, Hon Hare, Hapakuku Moetara, HeMM^ te Wake, Rene Fauj, ©stoW ?*^tti

The Government has wired to Inspector Hickson and Mr Ciendon, S.M., that if; lias nothing to add to the instructions already issued, namely, that the law must be upheld, that the ringleaders for whom warrants have been issued are to be arrested, and that the whole of the Hauhaus mu*t surrender unconditionally and give up their arms. "Tae Hon Mr Carroll has advised the malcontents, through Mr Ciendon, to submit to these conditions voluntarily, and that they should trust to the motherly heart of tho Queen for just consideration of her erring children. News has been received that a house in the district has been burglarised and a number of saddles and bridles taken. Further, the mailman was stuck up at Taheks by an armed native, and was made to swear he would not divulge what he had seen. It is interesting to note that on his return the mailman made a detour in order to, avoid any further unpleasantness. In consequence the settlers are asking for protection. ,It is, however, only fair to the disaffected natives to say that there is nothing to connect them with the burglary, while as to the sticking up of the mailman, it appears to be only natural for them to wish to prevent the strength of their position being made known to the authorities.

It now remains for Inspector Hickson to curry out the Government's ultimatum, and it is lyl't to his discretion as to the time when he will take measures to that end.

Last night Inspector Hickson telegraphed from Rawene that he had conferred with Mr Ciendon, S.M., and Colonel Na wall,?-..and they had agreed that the Government's decision should be conveyed to the disaffected people before any action was taken.

Mr Ciendon has verbally informed the friendly natives of the Government's reply to Inspector Hickson and to Mr Ciendon himself, and they have requested that they should convey the decision of the Government to the disaffected men. This was agreed to, but the natives have decided to postpone their journey until daylight today, as it would not be safe to travel at night.

Tne latest peacemaker is Mr Manning, now in Melbourne, who is the halfcaste son of the late Judge Manning, whose native place is Hokianga, and who is himself a Ngapuhi. Through Sir Gfiorge Turner, Premier of Victoria, he has wired to Te Re Papahia, one of the friendly chiefs at Hokianga, telling him to 8 4 ,0 p the trouble at Rawene and let the Government administer the laws on behalf of. the people, adding that the action taken by the disaffected natives is foolish work.

Rawene, May 4. The natives under arms at Akima sent a message in to Inspector Hickson to-day, asking if the Government intended to disarm them or make arrests. They would not disperse unless their requests were granted and their liberty guaranteed. Hone Toia has delegated the command of the men as, far as the threatened fighting is concerned to his step-uncle, Romana.

H.M.S. Torch arrived from Picton this morning v ~ and anchored off Rawene. Lieutenant-Commander Preedy came on shore and saw Lieutenant-Colonel Newall and Inspector Hickson. He offered to land a portion of hi 3 crew if necessary.

Later. A number of friendly chiefs go out to Waima early to-morrow morning to try aud persuade the Maoris to send their women and children to a place of safety before the police arrive, so that in case of trouble the innocent ones would not be involved.

The intention now is that the troops will march for Waima early to-morrow morn ing, and they expect to arrive there shortly after noon.

The delay in taking this course, it is believed, has had a bad effect on the Maoris. The and Maxims have impressed the local natives considerably. Tbis evening H.M.S. Torch displayed an electric searchlight for the first time in Hokianga. The natives remained quietly at Waima all day. A strong guard and picket, consisting of

60 men with a Maxim, is posted .on the road to Waima to-night. Auckland, May 4. Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R, leaves hre to-n'ghfc by the steamer Wellington for Whangarei, thence he goes by train to Wbakapara, where relays of horses will take him to Waiaia direct, and he should arrive there tomorrow evening. He has telegraphed to the friendly and neutrals chiefs at the Bay of Islands and Hokianga to meet him there, and do nothing save using their good offices on behalf of the Government to promote peace.

ADVANCE OP THE GOVERNMENT FORCES. AN EXCITIKG MARCH THROUGH THE BUSH. THE TROOPS PREPARED FOR ACTION. SHOTS FIRED BY THE NATIVE i. Rawekb, May 5. The Government armed force arrived at Waima valley, 13 miles inland from Rawene, at 5.30 this evening, the journey having occupied nearly eight hours. The march out from Rawene was rather exciting, owing to two shots being fired by the Maori outpost as the force was in the middle of the bush, bet ween, Omanaia and Waima. The march out from Rawene was very slow, owing to the delay frequently ca ised by the difficulty in pulling the guns and carts containing supplies. Shortly before the arrival at Omanaia, half-way to Waima, a number of friendly na.ives passing through to Rawene were met. They stated that when they came through Waima very few natives were to be seen, most of them apparently having gone into the bush, while a number of armed men with rifles were seen to be posted in the thick bush at the locality known as W vima Pass, on the main road over the MLLs. This caused some excitement, as it was thought there was a prospect of the Maoris attacking the force here. The force had luneh on the banks o? the Omanaia Creek at 1.30.

The friendly chiefs who had gone from Rawene to Waima in the morning at the request of Mr Clendcn and Colonel Newall to reason with the natives and give them the Government ultimatum to surrender, returned, and reported that Hone Toia had said that his heart was filled with grief at the approach of soldier?, and he asked for further delay. He wished the soldiers to remain at Omanaia till. Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., arrived, when there would be further talk over the embroglio. To this Colonel Newall replied that h-a was going straight forward, and would march to Waima and stay there to-night, and meet Hone Toia at noon to-morrow. When the news of the advance of the troops was made known there was great excitement, and the natives ran for their guns. Colonel Newall endeavoured to persuade them to return and convey his message to Hone Toia, desiring them to do so in order to preserve the good nane of the Ngapuhi. The Colonel, however, had to despatch a written message to Hone Toia by a Waima native, as the chiefs declined to take it, telling him he would see him at noon to-morrow in Waima, and that there would be no further delay. The envoy then rode off with this massage ahead of the troops. Before the permanent force and police started again from Omanaia for Waima Colonel Newall ordered all the force to load their carbines. This was done and the Maxims were also loaded.

The Colonel gave brief instructions to the force regarding the procedure to be followed in case they were called on to skirmish in the bush.

The force left Omanaia at 2.30, the outpost and advanced guard being sent out, followed by one of the Maxim guns. Then came the main body, followed by the rear-guard under Captain Coyle, with the other Maxim ready for actioD. "Behind that the ambulance came with the orthodox Red Cross flag, which was borrowed from H.M.S. Torch.

The Revs Gittos and Cowie accompanied the force, the latter on foot. Mr John

Webster, a veteran colonist well acquainted with the Hokianga Maoris, also accompanied the force, as also did Mr George Brown, native interpreter, and son of Rawene, who also acted as interpreter. As the force left Omanaia Valley and j began to ascend the fern and bush-clad hills which lay between Omanaia and "Waitna Valley the officers saw that everything was in readiness in case of surprise, especially as it became known that a number of Maoris belonging to Hone Toia's section (the Mahurehure) were posted in the bush ready to fire. v The road was a winding one cut out of the side of a hill. Danger was apprehended from the left hand side of the track, which rose abruptly above the road and afforded excellent facilities for aa ambuscade on the part of Maoris if such had been seriously contemplated. As the force ascended the hill a keen look-out was kept for Toia's scouts, but none were seen. About half-past 4 o'clock, as the rearguard were passing a steep cutting, surrounded by thick fern and bush, they were startled by two rifle shots in quick succession fired from the bush. The riflemen could not be seen, but one of the balls was said by Captain Coyle and others in the party to have distinctly whizzed over the heads of the rear-guard conveying the Maxim gun. The shots were evidently fired over the force as a threat or else as a signal to Waima, though many thought they were fired directly at the men. Just after : this incident, which created some excitement, as the men thought the Maoris were firing on them, two of Tola's followers appeared on horseback. They explained they had been sent out by Toia on receipt of Colonel Newall's message to order the natives in the bush to return to the village and not to fire on the soldiers. No more shots were heard, but all hands were on the alert with arms ready till the end of the bush was reached, which was about a mile further on. Captain Coyle, in command of the rearguard, made preparations to return the fire if any native showed himself in the bush, and took up a carbine himself. However, the Maoris obeyed Toia's order, and no doubt retired quietly through the bush to their settlement. The descent from the bush into the open country, known as the Waima Valley, was made without further incident. The spot where the shots were fired is known as Te Puku O Te Hau, after an ancestor who was buried there. Soon after the force had passed this place, one of Toia's Maoris, named Te Makara, who was concerned-in the Hauhau affray at Waihou in 1887, came out of the bush with a double-barrelled breechloading gun, and spoke to Heremai Te Waki, . a friendly chief, who was following in the rear of the force. He told Te Waki that he had fired the shots himself in the bush, but that he did not fire at the troops but only as a signal to Waima to let the people know of the approach of the force. If Te Makara had shown himself on the edge of the bush just after the shots were fired Captain Coyle would have shot him. The force halted at dark at the native schoolhouse at Waima, about a mile from where Hone Toia's fighting men are encamped. The native women and children are in a settlement two or three miles further down the Waima river. A number of Waima natives are friendly to the Europeans, but Toia has got followers from Taheke, Omanaia and elsewhere, besides those from Waima. Mr Hone Heke, M H.E., is expected tonight overland, having left Kawakawa on horseback at 2 p.m. He will go to Toia's camp at once, and have a korero with him, and then inform the European officers of the result of his intervention. Toia regards Hone Heke as his head and chief. The force will make no further move till to-morrow afternoon. Those natives for whom warrants are out will then doubtless be arrested. The permanent force are quartered in the local native church and schoolhouse for the night. ..,/ Strong pickets were sent out as usual for the night. The men were tired out after their march, but all were in good spirits. Later. Mr Hone Heke arrived here from Kawakawa at 8 p.m. AN ARMISTICE GRANTED UNTIL NOON ON FRIDAY. Friday. Very little progress has been made with the settlement of the Maori trouble in the Bay of Islands. Two friendly native chiefs left Rawene at daybreak yesterday morning to interview the disaffected natives at Waima, and the troops, under Lieutenant - Colonel Newell and Inspector Hickson, left at 9.30 a.m. en rovAe for the same place. They met the friendly chiefs at Omanaia, and heard from them that Hone Toia had asked them to return the troops to Rawene, and that they would give their reply to the Government's ultimatum on Friday. * _. , Colonel Newall and Inspector Hicsson refused to return, but agreed to wait for the reply of the rioters until noon to-day. Yesterday evening the Minister for Justice wired to Mr Clendon, S.M., for news of the position of affairs, and received a reply to the above effect, with the additional information that the friendly

chiefs returned to Rawene at 5 p.m., and he (Mr Clendon) intended starting for Waima at 7 o'clock in the morning.

THE SURRENDER OP HONE TOIA.

ARREST OF OTHER NATIVES

THE REBELS HIDING THEIR ARMS. HOSTILITIES NARROWLY AVERTED. Rawene, May 6. The Maori disturbance at Waima terminated satisfactorily to-day. Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., saw the Maoris at _ their settlement, Lower Waima, this morning. Hone Toia, leader of the disaffected natives, expressed his intention of giving himself up unconditionally, submitting to law and giving up his guns hccordingly. A message was sent to Colonel Newall to that effect.

Shortly after noon a body of, native?, about 100, including women, rode up from the settlement to the native schoolhouse, where the troops were encamped. On arrival there Mr Hone Heke came forward and informed Colonel Newall and Mr Clendon, S.M., that the natives _ were willing to submit to the law. He wished, however, that the Government would allow Hone Toia and the other natives to remain at Upper Waima till Monday, as they would be among friendly natives there, and this would allay the present feeling of intense excitement under which they laboured. The Colonel said he would inform them as to the Government's wishes in this matter latter on.

Fourteen stands of arms, including one Winchester, several double-barrel breechloaders and some shot guns were laid _on the ground before the officers commanding the column.

Constable McGilp, at the request of Inspector Hickson, read out the list of those against whom warrants were issued on a charge of taking up arms against the Queen and of unlawful assembly. These men, five in number, stepped out, and were taken into custody. Their names are Hone Toia, Te Makara, Mita Romana, Rekini Pehi and Hone Mete (John Smith). They were at once placed under an armed guard of police. The bringing in of 11- guns did not satisfy Colonel Newall and the officials, as there were known to be at least 60 rifles and shot guns in the possession of these people. These natives accordingly were told they must bring all their guns. This they promised to do. Sixty or seventy men of-these people, mostly young men, were in ambush yesterday in the bush watching for the troops, and would have fired on the troops but for the message from Hone Toia. They performed the war dance before leaving the settlement on that occasion, and were very much excited.

The natives brought in no ammunition to the Colonel. It is believed that they had most of their arms planted away safely somewhere. The Colonel insists on their bringing in their arms, and no doubt more will be handed in to-morrow. •

Five more leading men amongst the disaffected natives will be arrested to-morrow, including Wairama, one of their chief orators. Two of them will be charged with assault on the mail-carrier, by tying him up at Waima the other day while on his way from Taheke to Rawene. All the prisoners will be brought up at the Courthouse here on Monday, and formally charged before Mr Clendon, S.M. It is expected that the force will leave here for Onehunga with their prisoners on Wednesday. The troops are at present at Rawene, and will remain there till tomorrow. The local residents fear that if all the arms are not taken from the natives and precautions taken to prevent them again purchasing guns and ammunition, there will be a recurrence of this scare. THE PREMIER AND MR HONE HEKE, M.H.R. INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE A FURTHER ARMISTICE GRANTED. Saturday. Early yesterday morning the Premier received the following telegram from Mr Hone Heke, M H.R.:— " On arrival last night I went to see Hone Toia for the purpose of holding a korero with him. I think there is a gleam of hope of bringing them to reason, and getting the leaders to submit to the law. I want to-day and up to Monday next. You know, the Maoris want time. To enable me to force my influence, and the influence of the other chiefs of Ngapuhi, we would require the time I ask for them. The rebels will not disturb anything while we are engaged in holding our korero. " I have asked Colonel Newall and Inspector Hickson to grant me the time I now ask of you. They say they cannot, as they have got their instructions. "For our sakes, and for the sake of humanity, let me have the time I ask for. " The natives have quieted down. Instead of being in ambush they have ail come out to meet me—men and women and children— and they were all ready yesterday to take action, but the leader pledged himself to wait for me. I will inform you more later.

" I implore you to instruct the Colonel and the Inspector to let rne have the time I ask, for, as sure as there is a God in Heaven, if this is not granted me I fear the worst.

" Let me have this chance of using what small influence 1 have. Reply at once. The Colonel marches off <at 12 noon."

To this the Premier replied as follows : "My heart is very sore over this stupid business, for these foolish people are doing everlasting injury to the native race by stirring up strife, and at a time when there

is an opportunity of doing them substantial good. "My respect for and desire to prevent a stigma being for ever cast upon your race impels me to exhanst every reasonable effort to bring those who have broken the law within the law without bloodshed, but the Government are determined that the Queen's name shall be observed and that law and order be maintained by both races.

"Let there be no misunderstanding. Those who have broken the law must submit unconditionally to the law. If they submit without forc9 being used there will be greater hope for the clemency of the Crown and the lightening of their punishment.

"If otherwise, the responsibility must rest upon those misguided men who are acting in this way against the advice of theit own kindred and the chiefs from all parts of the colony. " You will recognise aud impress upon them that it must not in the slightest degree be understood the Government intend to retire from the position, because we do not intend to do so.

"Whatever the consequences maybe, we are determined that law and order shall prevail. It must not be forgotten that delay aid the reports that are reaching England and the rest of the outside world are doing the colony great harm, and the sooner this business is brought to an end one way or another the batter. " I have sent your communication to the Minister now in Wellington, and the views of myself and the Hon Mr Carroll thereon and the final decision will be wired to Inspector Hickson." The Premier then received the following telegram from Mr Hone Heke, which crossed the one given above: — " I am very anxious for your reply. For God's sake let me have it at once." To that the Premier replied .

" In reply to your second telegram, I can well understand and appreciate your auxiety. It has been a trying time for Ministers, for tbey have the responsibility, and while, in the interests of humanity and for the sake of the native race, every effort should be made to avoid bloodshed, still the law must literally be obeyed, and if in this case it was Europeans who had broken the law, as the misguided Hone Toia and his followers have done, there would have been no delay. They would ere this have been in the hands of the law.

" To me it is most painful, for, as a race, I respect your people, and earnestly desire to help and preserve them, but the conduct of the few misguided men who have brought about the present trouble renders it a most difficult task, and the most annoying part of the wretched business is that a stigma and stain is cast upon the whole native race, and particularly upon the Ngapuhi, for those afar do not know or understand that the trouble is local, and that the breakers of the law are only a very few of your tribe. " However, you know we, and the Government, whatever the consequences may be, are determined that the mana of the Queen shall rule supreme. " If reason and the wise counsels of those wishing well to your people prevail, and the wrongdoers submit themselves unconditionally to the law, well and good.

" If not—and this is my last word to you and the chiefs and your people —we have the power to enforce the law and will so do.

" You have done your best to avoid bloodshed, and so has the Government, and if lives have to be sacrificed, which God forbid, the responsibility must rest upon those who have set the law at defiance." The Government decided not to accede to'Mr Hone Heke's request, but, in order that every reasonable opportunity should be afforded the rioters to submit to the law, a further extension of time until noon to-day was agreed to. Later on a telegram was received from Colonel Newall and Inspector Hickson stating that Mr Hone Heke had arrived at the military * camp yesterday morning, accompanied by about 100 natives. Mr Hone Heke addressed the officers, and said that Hone Toia and his people had submitted to the law unconditionally. Thereupon 14 guns were laid down on the ground in front of the party. Colonel Newall replied, "We see the guns, but where are the men ?" Inspector Hickson asked for the names of the men for whom warrants had been issued to be read out. This -was done by a constable and the following natives then stepped out: Makara, Romana, Hone Toia, R9hene Pehi and Hone Mete.

Mr Hone Heke said the police could serve the warrants for the men, but he would like their arrest to be deferred until Monday. This request was considered by the Government, and eventually a telegram was sent by the Minister for Defence to the effect that these men, having surrendered themselves, must be held under arrest by the proper constituted authorities, and therefore that Mr Heke's request could not be granted.

At the same time, he added, as li old fowling pieces did not represent the weapons borne by the armed men who were reported to be in possession of Winchester repeating rifles, the time already given, namely, until noon on Saturday, would still be allowed them, so that they might have sufficient time to hand in the remainder of their arms. During the continuance of the trouble the Government have allowed Mr Hone Heke the privilege of franking telegrams. The Premier has sent a wire to Mr Hone Hoke and the native chiefs, thanking him and them for the valuable services they have rendered in getting the law observed without recourse to force. SURRENDER OF ARMS. Rawene, May 7. The work of disarming the lately turbulent Maoris at Lower Waima is going on slowly. Hone Toia's would-be warriors are adopting a policy of diplomatic reticence regarding the real number of their weapons, but Colonel Newall and Inspector Hickson are determined to get the lot in. ThelColonel had told the natives to bring in the rest of their guns by noon to-day. Shortly before the appointed time a large body of natives, who had been up the previous day, rode up to the military camp at Upper Waima, bringing some of the guns. About fifty men and the same number of women and girls comprised the party, which was headed by a native named Ngakuru, one of the " Whiowhio" leaders. Opposite the house occupied by the colonel and the inspector they halted. On those officers, who were accompanied by Mr Hone Heke, M.H.K., coming out on the road, eight young Maoris advanced and laid eight guns on the ground at the feet of the Colonel, together with a quantity of ammunition.

When questioned each man said his gun belonged to Romans, who is at present in custody. Romana was the fighting leader of the men. Evidently the men wished to put the onus of the ownership on him. The guns included two rifles, one being a Snider. The other weapons were double and single-barrel shot guns. The ammunition was all ball cartridge, contained in bags worn by a strap over the shoulders. There was also one new leather bandolier filled with cartridges laid on the ground along with the guns. Colonel Newall said the natives had redeemed the promise made on the previous day to come in by noon on Saturday with the rest of the guns to the extent of eight weapons. He asked, through Mr Hone Heke, who acted as interpreter, where were the other guns. Ngakuru, who is one of those on the list still to be arrested, said there were only 21 guns that had been in his people's possession. Those men who went into Rawene armed last Sunday were only nine in number. Twenty-one started, but all but nine turned back on the road. The Colonel asked Ngakuru—"How do you know ? Were you there ?" Ngakuru replied " No." The Colonel then said—" You are only speaking from statements made by ether natives." Ngakuru said some of the guns had been taken away from Waima by friends from the other settlements who had gone home since and who carried their guns with them. He said some guns were at Hauturu, 14 miles away. At the Colonel's request he agreed to go there and try and get some more guns. The Colonel said he would wait at Waima till Ngakuru returned with the guns. On Saturday the Government received the following message from the officers in charge of the forces : "At 11.30 o'clock this morning about 100 natives from Hone Toia's kainga came into Waima and laid down two rifles with Snider ammunition and six guns, three of them new double-barrelled, with about 80 cartridges. They were taken over by the officers in charge, who complimented the leader on having redeemed his word of last evening. "We have now 22 guns in all. The chiefs were asked to produce the other 30 guns which were carried against the Queen's mana last Sunday. were asked to bring these other 30 in this afternoon, and thus add to the good work of this morning. "An offer was made to send with the chiefs some of the Artillery, but the chiefs replied that they would endeavour to do

I as we wished, but would not require the 1 company that was offered. " Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., was with the party who brought in the guns." Another telegram stated that the natives were given till 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon for the surrender of the further arms and ammunition. Under these circumstances the Government has decided to allow the prisoners to remain at Waima till to-day, as desired. SPEECH BY COLONEL NEWALL. HONE HEKE'S MESSAGE PREVENTED • THE REBELS FIRING. Rawene, May 9. Colonel Newall's field column and Inspector Hickson's police force arrived here at 4 p.m. from Waima. Eleven more Waima Maoris were arrested, making 16 prisoners in all. They bade farewell to their women folk and other relations before leaving. They were allowed to ride on horseback under armed custody. The natives arrested to-day are : —Te Wairama, one of the principal disaffected loaders; Nene Puru, Whanui Puru, Te Maki, Houraki Korewha, Wiri Puru, Haupehi Nerehona, Hone Mete, jun., Waha Roi, Mohi, Hon Tana and Hohepa Tawhai. The native Te Wairama, or Ngamanu, was one of the principal agitators, and it is believed had a large voice in the rising. Hohepa Tawhai is a young man, son of the late Hone Mohe Tawhai, formerly M.H.R. for the Northern Maori district.

On Sunday three more : rifles were brought in, consisting of one fine Winchester repeater and two Spencer rifles. So far 25 guns have been surrendered in all, including two Winchesters. It is not likely any more will be brought in. They are either concealed or sent away to other districts. Some of the settlers here consider that there will be danger in the future, as many of the arms are still in the possession of the Maoris, who have large quantities of powder stowed away somewhere, and there are a number of dangerous Maoris still at large.

On Sunday a large party of leading Ngapuhi and Rarawa chiefs from Whangaroa and elsewhere rode into Waima, having been summoned by Mr Hone Heke to hold a conference on the matter, and to strengthen his hand in giving a pledge for the future behaviour of the Waima people. Hone Toia and other prisoners were allowed to confer with the chiefs. A korero of the whole of the natives present, about 300, was held last night.

The Rev Mr Gittos advised the natives to submit quietly to the decision of the Government.

Mr Hone Heke has given a promise that the Ngapuhi will look after the unruly Waima people, and try to prevent a recurrence of the outbreak. The chiefs wish the Government to be content with the guns already given in.

Before the force left Waima Colonel Newall addressed the Maoris. He said he came to Waima with a love for the Maori in heart, and left again with the same feeling, because the mana of the Queen had been upheld, and the Ngapuhi chiefs had shown their desire that the law should be maintained. He thanked Mr Hone Heke and all those of the Ngapuhi who had brought this matter to a conclusion, and prevented him (Colonel) from using his guns. The Government would be glad when he returned that the barrels of hij guns were clean and free from powder. There is no doubt that it was only Mr Hone Heke's telegram to Hone Toia that prevented the Maori ambuscade firing on the troops in the bush. Had the message arrived 10 minutes later there would have been a fight. The Maori prisoners will be charged tomorrow at the local Courthouse before Mr Clendon with unlawful assembly undpr arms.

Tuesday. The trouble with the natives at Rawene is now practically over, and all that 'remains to be done is to collect the rioters' arms and ammunition. The Government has received a telegram from Inspector Hickson stating that at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning a European settler named Clark, a near neighbour of Hone Toia, handed in a heavy Winchester rifle, filled for nine cases. Clark states that a month ago he gave the weapon and some ammunition to Puru in exchange for two eowd and their calves. On the 6th, when the natives surrendered and gave in 14 guns, the Winchester was brought back to him with a few rounds of ammunition. At 9.30 two more breechloader guns and 43 cartridges were handed A further telegram received from Inspector Hickson yesterday evening stated that they had arrived at Rawene at 5 p.m. with 16 prisoners aud 25 stands of arms, and also some ammunition. The Auckland contingent of the forces will leave Rawene this evening by the Government steamer Tutanekai, which will also take the prisoners to Auckland. The Wellington contingent will remain until the next trip of the Tutanekai. THE AGENT-GENERAL INTERVIEWED. London, May 4. Router's correspondent has interviewed the Hon W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, in reference to the Maori outbreak. Mr Reeves said it was a small local row, and there was no fear of a native war. Melbourne, May 5. The AvffUi commenting on the Maori difficulty says that if the impost of the dog tax was necessary the authorities have every right to crush the resistance, and at any rate the demonstrations menacing and frightening the settlers must be en* ctftinttered with a firm hand,