THE MAORI PRISONERS.

West Coast Times, Issue 131, 17 February 1866, Page 2

THE MAORI PRISONERS.

(From tho N. Z. Herald, Feb. 6.) PEELIMINA.RY ARRANGEMENTS.

Some excitement prevailed in town yesterday morning in consequence of a rumour going a^out that the Government authorities here had refused/ to take charge of the Maori p isoners, brought up by tho Sturt from Opotiki, on Sunday last. After the business of the Police Court was over, Mr. H. T. Clarke, R.M., ofTauranga, waited upon Captain Beckham, E.M., to know whether he was going to ta«e over the prisoners from his custody. His Worship replied that the police authorities could not take them upon the Courtmartial committal and papers, but that a fresh information would have to be laid before him, then a warrant to apprehend would be issued, and the police could take them over to their custody. Mr Clarke and our energetic Commissioner of Police, Mr Naughton, at once went to work, laid fresh informations, issued warrants, &c , and the gaol yard was at once put in order to receive tho prisoners.

THEIR IANDING.

Whilst these preparations had been going on at the Police Court, orders had been scut off to the Sturt to come alongside the new % Custom-house-street Wharf, which was speedily done in a seamanlike manner. Long ere she reached the Quay, crowds of people had flooked down to have a sight of these " men, and long before they were all on shore, no less than from five to six hundred people had congregated in Custom-house-street, every stack of timber and bricks, or other prominent place, being crammed to excess by eager spectators. The disembarkation was conducted in the. most orderly manner, the whart being guarded on each side end vby a detachment of the Ist Waikatos, in command of Captain Leggett. Ihe prisoners wore all placed two by two in a row, and then a sentry on each side of them with fixed bayonets, so that there was no possible chance of ?soape. The column having been formed thus • they marched off, going along Custom-house-street, up Queenstreet, Vulcan-lane, and High-street, to the Court House, followed by hundreds of people, almost every one turning out to see the prooession. Upon arrival at the guard-room gates, the soldiers fell back, and the prisoners were ma'rehed straight into their cells, the whole 31 being safely imprisoned in. thvee ana.yfc