THE RECENT MAORI OUTRAGE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3114, 27 March 1883, Page 2

THE RECENT MAORI OUTRAGE.

A TRUCULENT CHIEF, [By Telegraph.] Auckland, March 26, At a native meeting at Tekniti on Saturday, Makuku made an outrageous speech. He taunted the Ngatimaniopotos with having been bounced by Mr Bryce, whom he compared to a pig, and said if he could get his hand on his head he would kick it. The natives will not agree to the arrest of Makuku, but he has agreed to proceed to Alexandra. Mr Wilkinson telegraphed to Mr Bryce yesterday that if Makuku goes to Alexandra he will go accompanied by 60 followers. Makuku urged his followers to re-arrest Mr Hursthouse, and also arrest him (Mr Wilkinson), but owing to the presence of a large body of Ngatimaniopotos his wish was not carried out. MILITARY PREPARATIONS. While of opinion that Makuku will not carry out his threat to visit Alexandra, Mr Bryce deemed it advisable to prepare for any emergency. There are at present stationed at Alexandra 47 armed constabulary, and this company will be strengthened by the Te Awamutu cavalry, numbering 50. It is stated that Makuku’s men were catching their horses to come in to Alexandra when Mr Wilkinson and Mr Hurslhousa left Kuiti. The cavalry troop were to reach Alexandra before 10 o’clock on Monday morning. Mr Wilkinson, Mr Hursthouse, and Mr Newsham arrived at Alexandra yesterday, ARRESTS. This morning the obstructionists, numbering 40, rode on horseback to Alexandra,Makuku leading the way, shouting likp a lunatic, and calling ou his God to save him and destroy the Europeans. Coming up the road leading from Whatiwhatihoe bridge into the township, they encountered Aubin, a wellknown storekeeper. They immediately seized and bonnd him, and pitched him into the fern like a pig. Another European named Binge, a schoolmaster at Alexandra, seeing them advance made tracks and got safely away. Directly afterwards they were met by fie Awamutu Cavalry and the Constabulary who made very short work of them, the whole party being quickly apprehended and lodged iu the redoubt to await the course of justice.

Mr Wilkinson andMr Hursthouse are now at Alexandra, the latter having come in to confer with Mr Bryce,

The Premier has been closeted with Mr Bryce all day on Native affairs. Arrangements have been made for calling out the Waikato and Waiuku cavalry. Orders have been sent to Wellington for the Hinemoa to bring up the Armed Constabulary at Opunake to capture the obstructionists, but this step is now rendered unnecessary.

Makuku and 23 of his followers will be brought down by special train to-night under escort and will be met shortly after midnight at Newmarket Kailway Station by Inspector Thompson and a detachment of the Auckland police and escorted to Mount Eden Gaol. WelililNgtoit, March 26. A SENSATIONAL EPISODE.

Telegrams received from Mr Bryce last night and to-day, report that at a second meeting held yesterday at Tekuiti, Makuku completely changed his demeanor from abject submission to most over-bearing truculence, and his language became excessively violent and offensive, suggesting that bis previous submission was a mere feint to disarm his opponents and gain time. He did his utmost to excite his audience into fury, and to incite them to resent any interference by the Government. He spoke with contempt of M r Bryce, saying that he (Mr Bryco) was not able

to do anything. If he was so strong, why did he not come himself and take them; But he could do nothing without the aid of the native chiefs. He (Makuku) would shortly smash Mr Bryce’s head and kick him. Ho threatened to advance on Alexandra and then go to Auckland and defy the pahekas to touch him, for his atua would protect him and kill them. The Government were warned last night that Makuku and his followers would make a demonstration at Alexandra today, and prompt preparations were made. A proclamation was signed by His Excellency the Governor at an early hour this morning calling out the Te Awamutu Cavalry, and the Hinemoa was ordered to be in readiness to take up 160 men from Opunake to-morrow morning, armed with the proclamation. Mr Bryce this morning called out the Te Awamutu Cavaly, who duly mustered on the spot. This morning the news was telegraphed that the Maori raiders, numbering about twenty, were then crossing the Whatiwatihoe bridge cn their way to Alexandra, where the)’ duly arrived shortly before noon. They were met by the European force and summoned to surrender, but Makuku replied with defiance, going to the front of his men and calling on God and Te Whiti to aid him and destroy his opponents. There was no supernatural response, however, and in a few minutes the whole 20, including Makuku, were arrested, firmly secured, and marched off as prisoners to the Alexandra barracks, whence they will be in due course removed for trial. On the satisfactory intelligence being received of this favorable termination of the affair the orders for the sailing of the Hinemoa were countermanded, and all isnow expected logo on us quietly as before.

At 2.30 p.m,, Mr Bryce telegraphed —“ Wahar.ui has heard of the arrest and says he is ‘ clear ’ about it (he approves). To show what were the intentions of the Tekaumara is coming in this morning, after crossing the Whatiwbutihoe they tried to seize a man who was on the road but got away. Further along they seized another tied him up and four of the party took him off the road in the fern, but they were seen and arrested by the cavalry.”