A MAORI DISTURBANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2691, 30 April 1898, Page 3

A MAORI DISTURBANCE.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 29. From Rawene Inspector Hickson re* n ceived news to-day that the natives d there are threatening a " hostile demonstration" upon the township. It is simply that a number of Rawene natives n have recently been served with aumie mouses for refusing to pay the dog tax. *e /lie Maori seems to have a rooted hatred »f the dog tax, and to be Bummoned for non-payment is apparently a cross he >n will not bear in silence. 16 will be re-

-jmembered, perhaps, that these same 3 Kawene Maoris made a " demonstraj" tion" a couple of years ago marching through the settlement with loaded *• firearms. On that occasion the martial i outburst was allowed to fizzle* out, I and it is not expected that the present little ''complication " will lead " to any serious results A number of f Maoris in Hokianga district and be- , tween there and the Bay of Islands have always been bitterly opposed to the dog tax. WELLINGTON, April 29. The Government have received advice , that a nuenber of armed natives have assembled near Rawene (Bay of ißlands) and are displaying a threatening atti- , tude. Mr Clendon, Stipendiary Magis- . trate for the diatrict, has been instructed to proceed to Rawene and report as to the cause of the disorder. The residents 1 are greatly alarmed, but Mr Clendon be Heves this is premature and un neceaaary. It is believed the cause of the trouble is the Native objection to the dog tax. The Hon, Mr Cadman, Native Minister, does uot attach any great importance to the matter but Btatea that if Mr Clendon's report warran t8 it a Bufficient force will be Bent to Rawene to quell the disturbance. Mr Clendonwires to the Minister that only threats have een used by the Hauhaus, of Waima, up to the present, and that he intends proceeding there today to ascertain their exact intentions Ue Bistance to the law generally is assigned as the cause, and in the meantime be is endeavouring aa far as poßsible to allay the scare among the Europeans. All the women and children went to Kohukohu yesterday, presumably for safety. In his opinion this was quite an unnecessary exhibition of weakness which would be sure to render these natives more offensive in their demeanor. From the above it would appear that the natives have not marched on Rawene as was first announced aa their intention. Rawene is on the Hokianga river.