The Hau Hau Disturbance

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5989, 26 July 1887, Page 3

The Hau Hau Disturbance

[Tra Presß Association.!

AUCKLAND, July 25.

The Hau Hau Natives, who created a disturbance at Hokianga, with the exception of those wounded, were brought before Mr H. W. Bishop, R.M., at Kawene, on Saturday, charged with assaulting a European named Hearn, and two with unlawfully resisting the police. The prisoners presented a miserable spectacle at the bar of the Court, clad in calico costumes, with countenances indicating the lowest type of humanity. A large concourse of Natives from the neighbouring settlements were also present. To the first count, the prisoners all pleaded guilty. The evidence of Hearn aad others was taken, the witnesses being cross-examined by the prophetess, Kemara Pangare. She denied attempting to cut Hearn's throat and roast him ; also, that they had been guilty of cannibalism. They had been compelled to forbid strangers trespassing on their property, because theft had frequently been made, especially by the Karos people, and they forbade anyone entering their tainga with boots and woollen garments -on. It was "tapu." Their procession in white garments signified their peaceableneßS ; and it was i because Hearn and the police refused to I conform to this that they resisted the I entrance into their kainga. Several others spoke in the same strain. The weapons used : by the prisoners were produced in Court, comprising axes, adzes, spears, tomahawks and meres. Sentences were imposed as follows : — Tamati Kuku, for assault, two months' imprisonment with hard labour and bound over to keep the peace for I twelve months, himself in .£IOO and two other sureties of J650 each; Kemara, the prophetess, for assault two months' imprisonment, and for resisting the police six months, being also bound over to keep the peace for twelvfiuionth3,herself for £so and two others of .£25 each; Apro Pongea, for assault, two months' hard labour, and for resisting the police three months' hard labour, the sentences to run concurrently. He was also bound over to keep the peace for nine months, himself for .£IOO, and two others for resisting the police got three months with hard labour, and bound over to keep the peace for nine months, in sureties for i>loo. Young Eruru got two months' hard labour for assaulting Hearn, and three months* hard labour for resisting the police. Hohea, an old chief, was bound over to keep the peace for six months, himself for .£SO, and two others of £25 each. The Court is to-day proceeding with the charges against five women, and the three men who were woanded, viz., Orurua, Makara, and Hana Kuku.