β¨ Minutes of Evidence regarding Native disturbances
( 46 )
any of Ihaia\'s men wherever they may find them. In consequence of this expression of their determination, I have likewise pointed out to them the desirability of not carrying their arms lest they should meet any of Ihaia\'s people within the district mentioned and by carrying out their threats against them their bullets might go in the wrong direction and so involve the Europeans.
Can you name any of these Natives?--Yes. Wiremu Kingi of Waitara made this threat, and Raniera the assessor stated he would carry his arms to and from the Hua.
Have you given the Resident Magistrate at any time information of what are in your opinion violations of the proclamation?--I think I mentioned to the Resident Magistrate that at one time met three Natives on the Bell block subsequently to the issue of the proclamation.
Are you aware of any other open violation of the proclamation?--No.
Have you at any time reported to the Resident Magistrate that the Natives generally respected the proclamation?--Yes. Verbally.
Before or after Wiremu Kingi\'s threat to you about Ihaia\'s people?--After.
You mean that the majority of the Natives respect it?--Yes. At the present time the majority respect it.
Did you act as interpreter at the Police Court on Wednesday last?--Yes.
Do you recollect the first question you put to Poharama?--I believe I asked him his business.
Do you recollect his reply?--Not word for word. He said he came to Mr Flight the Magistrate, and because he, Mr Flight, was a Magistrate.
Did you hear him apply to be sworn to his information?--Yes.
Did you understand that he gave his information as an assessor in the pay of the Government, or as any other person might do?--I did not understand that he went there as a native assessor, but that he went there as any one else who did who desired to put an end to this practice.
Did you hear him state in reply to the Magistrate that he went there of his own accord without being induced to do so by any one else?--Yes.
Where was Mr Watt when this question was put?--I cannot say.
By Mr H. A. Atkinson.
The majority of the Natives are not of the same mind as Wiremu Kingi and Raniera respecting the carrying of arms?--Certainly not.
Are the Natives residing within the proclaimed district in the habit of carrying their arms through the district?--The majority do not. Those who bring them are the exceptions.
Do you not think that the few by carrying their arms will induce the majority to do the same?--So far as my knowledge of native character extends, my opinion is that they would all carry arms soon if one or two be allowed to carry them.
Would the majority who respect the proclamation support the Government in carrying it out?--I cannot say. I should not be inclined to trust them.
By Mr W. C. King.
What do you think would be the result of attempting to enforce the proclamation?--That the Natives would cease to carry arms in the proclaimed district.
Could the proclamation be enforced without bloodshed?--I am of opinion that it could.
What would be the best step to ensure their yielding to the proclamation?--By having a patrol to take away arms in case of infringement, or the Natives to be told distinctly that if they came with arms they would be taken from them.
State the native view of the proclamation.--In my opinion the majority are decidedly disposed to respect it. Others again are of opinion that if they can evade it by concealing their arms they are not violating the proclamation. Others again express a fear of being attacked either by Ihaia\'s Natives or by his friends who are residing within the proclaimed district and carry arms for self defence.
Were you interpreter to the Court when Tamati te Ngahuru laid his information that certain Taranaki natives were about to pass through the town some of them being armed?--Yes.
Was this information received by the Resident Magistrate?--Yes.
Are you aware whether those Natives subsequently passed through the town?--To the best of my belief they passed through having left their guns behind them.
Are you aware whether any precautions had been taken to prevent their passing through with arms?--A letter was addressed by the Resident Magistrate to the Officer commanding the Troops informing him of the Natives\' intention.
By Mr Sharland.
Are you of opinion that those Natives who persist in carrying arms are aware of the full intention of the proclamation?--I have read the proclamation to the Natives and have explained it to them. Those Natives who carry arms by way of the beach think they are not violating the proclamation as they are not hostile to the settlers.
By Mr R. Brown.
Do you consider the carrying of concealed arms within the proclaimed district a violation of the proclamation?--I cannot say. It is a legal question.
Do you think if their arms are concealed about them or in kits they are carrying arms?--Yes.
Have you explained that to them?--I recommended them not to carry arms at all unless they are coming home and intend to remain at home in peace.
Did the Resident Magistrate ever request you to enquire about Natives carrying arms in the Bell district in consequence of information given by Messrs. Morrison, Hulke, and Sunley?--I believe he did, and the first time I saw the Paraiti Natives after the complaints I spoke to them on the subject.
Did they make any remark?--They said they carried arms in self defence, as Katatore was shot down on the public road.
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Report and Minutes of Evidence regarding Native disturbances in New Plymouth
(continued from previous page)
ποΈ Provincial & Local GovernmentNative disturbances, New Plymouth, Provincial Council, Select Committee, Resident Magistrate, Evidence, Proclamation, Arms
15 names identified
- Ihaia, Mentioned as having men involved in threats
- Wiremu Kingi, Mentioned as making threats regarding carrying arms
- Raniera (Assessor), Stated he would carry arms
- Poharama, Gave information at the Police Court
- Flight (Magistrate), Resident Magistrate receiving information
- Watt, Mentioned as being present at the Police Court
- H. A. Atkinson, Questioning witness
- W. C. King, Questioning witness
- Tamati te Ngahuru, Laid information regarding armed natives
- Sharland, Questioning witness
- R. Brown, Questioning witness
- Morrison, Provided information regarding natives carrying arms
- Hulke, Provided information regarding natives carrying arms
- Sunley, Provided information regarding natives carrying arms
- Katatore, Mentioned as having been shot
Taranaki Provincial Gazette 1858, No 8