THE NATIVES AND THE ROTORUA RAILWAY. Six Obstructionists Arrested.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2043, 11 August 1885, Page 3

THE NATIVES AND THE ROTORUA RAILWAY. Six Obstructionists Arrested.

In our last l^suo wo gave the details of the occurrence winch had taken pl.ici* cm Thuisday at the Waitoa bnd n y, on the Thames Valley Railway, whole. Mi Fallon the conti actor, isatpiesent laying down the peunancnt w ay. The mattt 1 then seemed very threatening, as it was thought that the natives, under the influence of then alleged grievance, would resi->t the olhceis of the l*w in executing the wai rants which Mr Ifrrllon bad caused to be issued for their arrest. These anticipations have, wo are liappy to aay, not been realised, as the six ringleaders agam->t whom the thai go was laid willingly siuiondeiad themselves to the law, and without any ie-.is.Unct} whatever accompanied Sergt. Major McGovoin and party to Hamilton, whine they aimed on Satin day night. Smgt.-Majoi McUovoin and Constables \\ lid and Munay, accompanied by Mr Fallon, Mr James Stewart, C.E., and Mi Stewart, jun., left Hamilton about 10 o clock on Fuday night for Moirinsville. The paity weie conveyed in two buggies, and after a lon^ and tedious drive, the night being very dark and threatening, they reached Mnrrmsville about 3 o'clock in the morning. Mr Smith, of the Phoenix, was distuibed in his slumbers and found the travelleis accommodation for the remaining few hours of darkness. Our representative arrived at the hotel about an hour latei, but prefeuing not to disturb the master of the establishment exploied the back stairs, and after making more noise thau gent lumen geneially do when entering hotels when all the woild have gone to le-t, •tfrteeded in penetrating to a remaikably small but com foi table sitti'ig-ioom, with an uncommonly big hie, thy brilliancy and u :u mth of which vveie inviting in the extifint;. Dut this hippy ietie.it was alieady full} occupied. Tlie poitly limbs of one of the guauli.nis of the law weie displayed to gi eat advantage on tho hcailh-rusr, absorbing all the vv .ninth tint the Hie could attoul to bjstow, to tho entiro exclusion of tho lemainder cf the party. Mr Fallon had thoughtfully stowed himself on the Mom, and Mi Stewait, jun., monopolised the sofa. The Seigt. -Major and Constable Murray had retired homewh<'ie on their own account, for though our reporter searched under the table ami sofa for the executive of law and order ho was unable to discover their wheieabouU. Mr Wild, after a pioloiisred toa-ft, awoke to tho fact that "strangeis were in the House, ' and seeing that the visitor was making himself at home no doubt made up his mind to " shadow " him straight away. But the identity of the intruder was soon revealed, and the vigilant officer once nioic turned Ins attention to the promotion of his own comfort. The paity were astir soon after daybreak, and after an eaily breakfast stowed themselves away in a ballot tiuck and proceeded up the line behind the engine. On reaching Mr Fallon's camp, ttome eight miles from the junction, a number ot trucks wero added, and about thirty of the workmen were taken on to the bridge, the scene of Thursday's eneountei. It v .is expected that the natives would have been a-sembled in full foico in puiis naturalibus, brandishing their speais and hurling dciiance on the multitude, but the scene of strife was deserted, and not a coloured gentleman in sight. This was rather a disappointment to many of the buily sons of toil, who looked exceedingly finuoufl for a scuttle with the aboriginals. The Sergt -Major and party, accompanied by Mr Fallon, Mr Stewart, our reporter, and a number of Mr Fallon's woikmen, set out on fo.it to the native .settlement, about a mile distant. The natives had evidently anticipated theviMt, for they were all assembled in the runanga house of the settlement. On the paity approaching, about twenty women and childien 111 gaudy attire came forvvaid and executed that graceful ceremony known in aboriginal parlance as tho "haeiemai. ' Among the fair performers weie seveial ladies of advanced yeais, with deciepit limbs and shrunken visage*, but years to all appeatances only added vigour to their movement"!. They twuled and wriggled, skipped and ulniHied, their eyes beaming with ferocious affection. On the other hand, the p'acid Mr McGovem advanced, fully cogni-ant of the honour that was being done him, and to all appearances visibly affected ; whilst Constable Wild, who no doubt was moved by the same feeling*, followed behind with a .satchel full of bracelets f»r distribution in case of emergency. The natives had now retired to the runanga house, where Mr McGovein returned their greeting. He then pioceeded to explain his minion, Mr George Tnrrell acting as inteipreter. Mr McGovern said he had directions from the Resident Magistrate to cause Hare Periotito, Hare Kereima, Hare Kareama, jun., Tun henna Tiwha, Penetito, jun., and Kereama Tawhaie to come to Hamilton. They w ere charged with attempting to knock do\\ n the bridge, and obstructing Mr Fallon. It was his duty to take them to Hamilton, and he wanted them to come with him peaceably and quietly. He had nothing whatever to do with the dispute between them and Mr Fallon. Whatever that dispute might be would be heard before the Resident Magistrate at Hamilton on Monday. That gentleman would hear what both fides had to hay and determine who was in fault. Mr Fallon and Mr Stewait would lie theie, and whatever native* they wanted would no doubt also be there. They would be treated nicely and quietly, and nil th.it «ort oi thing, au«l no cmc they must Mr Fallon had made certain charges against them. \V lvii they came to Hamilton they would have good ouaiters, and plenty of food, Ac, and ho (Sergt. -Major McGovein) would take care tl.ey were looked after. Tnuhenuft paid he was quite ready and willing to go. His object in starting this row was that this might be brought about. IVfr McGovein said as regards the row he had nothing whatever to do with it ; he had nothing to do with anything Mr Fallou or Mr Stewait had done. They weie responsible for what they had done. Mr Stewait said that since the low on Thursday some of the natives had stolen part of thebiidge timber. That bridge belonged to the company, and if he found out who had stolen it, or any stick or piece of iron then Seigt. Majoi McGovern would have to come again. Mr McGovein iaid they hnd no right vvnatever to touch this timber, and he now requested that th^y would put all they hid taken back, ho as to save him having to come again. He hoped for their own sake they would bi;mg it hick. Mr Stovvait also >,poke to the natives about the stolu'i timber, and told thum that they must b: ing it rack, 01 else S Tgt -Major McGi vein would most asMiiedly c mie again. One of tho party replied th it tho missing timber should unmediatrly be retuinofl. The six who were wanted at onca commenced to dress aij,d piepaie for the journey. One of thorn insisted that Mr McGovorn should give him a written c«py of what he had said, to them, which was accordingly done. They then promised that the timber should be returned. Young Graham showed some disinclination to come, but was prevailed upon by the women, and «o the party started on tho return journey. Some of the sisters, cousin*, and aunts of the prisoners insisted upon accompanying their friends to Hamilton, but Sergt. -Major McGovein politely intimated that circumstances over which he had no control would not permit of his acceding to their request. Hamilton was reached about G o'clock, when the natives were brought before Mr Northcroft and remanded till Monday. They were bailed out by Major Jackson and Mr Fjruuir, and were driven to tho Tunaheic •ettjament the same night.