GOVERNMENT BRIBES TO REBEL NATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2107, 14 June 1873, Page 2

GOVERNMENT BRIBES TO REBEL NATIVES.

We copy from the Southern Cress of the 9th in-

stant, the following narrative, which, if correot, shows a disgraceful state of affairs. The writer says — " There are no doubt times and occasions when a judicious gift of thoss vital necessaries to the Maoris, flour aud sugar, may effect great good, and tend very beneficially to the preservation of peaceful relations ; but it almost appears at the present moment that this is somewhat overdone. If my information is correct, a number of Maoris— chiefs it may be said— living at Tawhiao's head-quarters, are in the receipt of yearly salaries from the Government of this Colony, but they were powerless to prevent the murder of Sullivan, and from all appearances they have no influence over Tawhiao or his Ministers to induce them to surrender Parnkutu, or any of Todd's murderers. There is a chief named Takerei te Rau, one of the hulk prisoners, now at Te Kniti, who receives, it is said, .-SIOO a-year from the Government. It is admitted that he is a rangatira of purest blood from both parents j that he is much bluer in blood, indeed, than Tawhiao himself ; but this gentleman has lately become co independent that he would uot, until the other day, visit Alexandra to receive his yearly salary— it was, he declared, to be forwarded to Te Kuiti for him, or he wonld not have it ! But it was this last straw that broke the camel's back. It was not considered safe to send a messenger with so much money to Te Kuiti, and, having forwarded the money to Alexandra, there tbe Government made a stand. Under these oircum»*auces Takerei te Ran dictating, and quietly came down on Friday las.t. The ohief Aihipene te Kaihu is generally supposed to be an assessor resident at Waiukn. Since marrying the ' Princess' Sophia he has resided at Te Kuiti, aud will no doubt receive his salary regularly as of yore. Suoh_ Maoris as may not be of sufficient rapi to receive yearly salaries are allowed rations — if they are rebels — when visiting the frontier settlements ! Friendlies, unless belonging to the fighting contingent, must provide for themselves ! The result of this system of treatment may be imagined. Only on Thursday last, at Cambridge, the storekeepers and other settlers were loudly complaining of the ' bumptious' conduct of rebel Maoris from Purukutu's settlemont at Aratitaha, who were swarming over the town — many of them in a half-intoxicated oonditiou. Although a detachment of Armed Constabulary inav be stationed at the settlement, no step is allowed to be taken without reference to head- quarters. On the occasion of poor Todd's murder, tbe officer in charge of the detachment at Alexandra had timely warning given to him of the murder, and was urged to send a few constables to a spot mentioned where the three Maoris engaged in the murder would emerge from the Pirongia Ranges. But he could do nothing; his hands were tied until he had received instructions from "headquarters." The last payment, or rather bribe, which it is said has been offered, was to Pai Whenua, the native who rescued Mr. Mackay from Naku's clutches. A gift of £150 was forwarded, but tbe Kingites refused their consent to his acceptance of the money. Hone te Ona had ouly his own sweet will to consult as to the acceptance of the gift of £-250 and the silvermounted meerschaum pipe. Very considerable anuoyance is also felt at the apathy of tho Government in arresting Maoris who are pointed out by their companions whilst in onr settlements as the murderers of . One of the Maoris who shot Todd has since frequently visited Alexandra, and he was in attendance at the late Native Laud Court sitting at Hamilton. Yet no steps were taken to apprehend him on the charge, as wonld have been probably done had the delinquent been a European."