AUCKLAND ITEMS.

NZ Truth, Issue 72, 3 November 1906, Page 3

AUCKLAND ITEMS.

(From Our Auckland Correspondent)

A MIGHT-BE MAORI MARTYR.

Threat to Murder Sir Joe Ward.

Sharebroker Aickin Aching for Vengeance

Last Saturday morning Queen-street, Auckland, was thrilled with a rumor that was for a time considered, by reason of- its startling nature, as incredible and unfounded on fact. The report was that one of Auckland's prominent business men .had been arrested on no less a charge than threatening to murder N.Z.s Premier, Sir Joseph Ward. For once rumor had not lied. It appears that about 9.25 la^t Saturday mowing Chief-detective Marsack, accompanied by Detective Hollis, took up a. position opposite the. Stock Exchange m. Queen-street. Shortly afitetwar&s ; from,; a- tram alighted Mr Williani Stevenson AicliinV a well-known .sharebroker. He- started for the entrance to the Exchange but had not taken many steps when the two detectives m waiting accosted him. In reply to the usual question Aickin admitted his identity and Chief-detective Marsack then read the warrant he held for the sharebroker!s arrest. It was all done so quietly that passers-by knew nothing of the extraordinary occurrence. . The police officers and their captive, moved quietly to a cab m waiting and drove off to the police station. About noon the same day Aickin was brbught before S.M; Kettle and charged with writing a- threatening letter to Sir Joseph Ward; The change was that accused did about the ,I.sth day of October; 3 906, • send to or cause to be received by the Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, Premier qf New Zealand, a certain lotter,- knowing the contents thereof, and dated the 15th day of October, 1906, threatening' to kill or do grievous bodily harm to the said Sir J oseph George Ward , contrary to the form of statute in^ such cases made and provided."

' Crown Prosecutor Mays immediately applied for a remand until Friday and said that the chief witness (presumably Sir Joe's secretary) could not. give evidence until that day. He added that, be should oppose any application for bail, alleging that Aickin's condition would possibly necessitate a repetition of service unless he was kept under lock and key. . The magistrate asked the prisoner if he objected to a remand and he answered straight away, "Not a, bit. "He was accordingly taken away m custody. -Following is the ' full text of the : threatening letter. .Auckland, October 15th, 1906.— Sir Joseph Ward, Premier: of New Zealand.-^-Sir,— As the Maori Land Settlement Act; 1905, was !a distinct breaoh of .the vTreaty; of ivWaitangi,: ehaTjling, Governni^nt by a dirty trick to. compulsively acquire Maori lands, contrary, to the express stipulation therein contained, I hereby give you notice that jf that Act be not. repealed, this session, and all engagenlents. entered into under it, if any, cancelled, I will hold you responsible at peril of your life, and for all time of your life, hereafter. I only give notice, .because you, being a South Islander, may have a , very slight knowledge. . of Maori matters, therefore cannot at present hold you responsible for the guilt of others. | "James Carroll's explaining; away of the Treatyi;Was' simply grossly deliberate misrepresentation, with ; a view to the compulsory plause thereafter to be - introduced . by that . low blackguard Seddon m the dying hours of the session. . /_, "Any tforth" Island member, had he been asked if the Treaty. were binding and m full force 24 hours before Carroll's repudiation, would unhesitatingly h.ave answered 'Yes.'

"You may- ask, 'Are you going to set yourself up as a-n authority against the unanimous % voice of the legislature V Certainly I am ; ; There is not a man of you could stand ten minutes against me either on paper or platform, and successfully defend