NATIVE OBSTRUCTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2090, 15 March 1894, Page 17

NATIVE OBSTRUCTION.

Auckland, March 8. The Opuatai dispute has again taken a fresh turn. The Natives who were fined refused payment. The police attempted to enforce the warrants, and the Natives successfully obstructed them and they failed. A detachment of artillery and police leave for Waikato to-morrow. March 9. The police party arrived at Mercer from town at noon, and were reinforced to the number of 40 men all told by the time Mercer was reached. Immediately after arrival the members of the expedition were marched down to the river and embarked on a steam launch, which also towed a barge full of men down the river about half a mile and landed them on the other side close to Pukekama, in the immediate vicinity of the temporary camp of Kerei and his people. About 100 Maoris, men and women, were at the camp when the force landed. They were all squatted near tents on the ground around a white flag with a red cross, listening to the exhortation of Kerei, who was standing in their midst. On landing, Inspector Hickson ordered the permanent force to the steam launch till required, while the police were marched along the bank to where the Maoris were sitting. Inspector Hickson, who had a warrant for the arrest of Kerei Kaihau aad his wife, the latter charged with assaulting Constable M'Govern, and the former on a charge of inciting to assault, walked up to Kerei and arrestedhimin the Queen's name. The inspector then called on two constables to remove Kerei. No sooner did they lay hands on him than a number of Maoris jumped up, and several women rushed at the constables and endeavoured to rescue Kerei. The inspector warned the Maoris not to resist. The Maori women, in accordance with the practice of Maoris, were the principal aggressors. An exciting scrimmage ensued, in which the whole of the police were engaged. Sergeant Gamble, in the act of taking Kerei away, was tackled by a stalwart wahine, while another woman kicked him in the stomach. The struggle lasted several minutes. Several Maori men joined in the scrimmage round Kerei, and the inspector ordered their arrest. Eventually Kerei. resisting bub not violently, was marched off to the steamer between two policemen. Hh wife, who was the first to rush forward to obstruct Kerei's arrest, was next taken into custody. She resisted and fought with the constable, who got her down on the ground, and then induced her to get up and go along to the steamer. Meanwhile a lively struggle was proceeding between the force and a number of Natives. Several women handled the police pretty roughly. The inspector directed his men to arrest two men for whom warrants were out. These men, who were sitting on the ground amidst a lot of others, were grasped by their friends to prevent them being taken away. Another tough struggle ensued, the Natives resisting with all their might, but eventually refraining from striking the police. The expedition returned by the 8 p.m. train, bringing as prisoners nine men and 10 women. Paui and Tanwahiu, who had not paid the fines and for whom warrants were out, Kerei Kaihau for inciting to resist, his wife for obstructing, and a number of other Nativos for obstructing the police in the execution of their duty. Tho Permanent Artillery took no part further than aching as a covering party at tho railway station. Two horses were in readiness, and the prisoners, under escort, were taken to Mount Eden Gaol.

A New Plymouth telegram states that a seam of good coal has been found at Tarata, on the banks of the Waitara river. ROWLAND'S MACASSAR OIL preserves and strengthens the hair, prevents it falling off or turning grey, and is the best brilliantine for everybody's use, and as a small bottle lasts a very long time it is really most economical for general use ; also golden colour for fair hair. Rowland's Kalydor ia most soothing, cooling and healing for the face and hands ; removeß freckles, tan, sunburn, redness, Ac, and produces Boft, fair skin. Sold by chemists. Ask for Rowland's, of 80 Hatton Garden, London.