THE RAWENE PROUBLE. AUCKLAND, MftJ 20.

Otago Witness, Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 31

THE RAWENE PROUBLE. AUCKLAND, MftJ 20.

A charge of treason again&t the. 'tVaiaia Maoris is proceeding at the Police Court, which is deaeelf packed with spectators.

Hone Toia and 15 ether Maori prisoners were charged with conspiracy to levy war on the Queen, in -order, by fores, to compel her to change her jes^buixs respecting the dog tax ; v/ith uulawfal &sßemb!y ; and with J^hn Wellsford, mail carrier. Mr Toie, C-Own prosecutor, prosecuted, and iflessis B'ari and Cooper represented the accused. W. Hone, Native interpreter, deposed to visiting Hone Toia and other principal Natives at Pukomiro, , Waima, on April 28. They declared that they would not pay the dog tax and would no- stop sUooting pigeons. They would have coihir-g tj dt wi'li the European laws, but would die on account of those laws. They announc&d their intention of going to Rawene uhe next cay with their gunß to fighb the law.

The case For the prosecution is not colluded. There are eigbt nwre witnesses to give evilence. May 23.

Hone Toia and 15 other Maoris wsir c« mmilted lot trial to-day on »U the charges. Mt Earl, for the defence, argued *hat the prisoner* were not guiity of treaoonab'.e conduct or attempting to levy war on ihe Queen. They had simply made «.n armed demonstration, and nothirjg aiore serious cculd be charged against them than unlawful asseoab'.y. The magistrate held that theie was sufficient eviiiecpe of treasonable intent, and committed accordingly.