TO DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 143, 16 June 1894, Page 5

TO DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

THE DEFENCE,

When bhe Supreme Courb resumed ab ten o'clock this morning Mr Earle opened the case for tho defence of the accused nabive men and women, and called the accused as witnesses. Evidence was given by Eerei Kaihau's wife bo the effect thab after her husband was arrested, a policeman caughb her by bhe throat. The constable took her away forcibly, her petbicoab was born, and the front of her jackeb was torn off. Another policeman cried oub, " Tbab is bad work; let that woman go." The police were there beating and ill-using the woman Te Kai, who was on the ground Constable, Hobson then turned on bhe witness and pushed her down, while she was brembling from the effects of the first seizure. Hobson was angry. She wanted bo gab up and Hobson struck her with his babon. He then stooped down and seized her by bhe throat. Witness cried out to him " Well, choke me albogetber." Then another policeman called out, " oh, thab ia very bad work," and Hobson released witness and she gob up. A man named Itangi was injured in the encounter with bhe police, his hice and head were covered with blood. Wibness was wiping bhe blood off Rangi's face whdn Bhe waa led away. She did nob bite the police. Mita Eukutai aIBO gave evidence, and stated thab the constable struck her and knocked her down. Te Kai, another of tho women, was pub in the box, bub said she did nob want to give evidence. Mr Earle then called as witness for the defence another of the accused, an elderly man named To Keepa. When aboub bo bo be Bworn Keepa objected and said: "I am a Hauhau. I look on thab book as the Almighty." He, however, made an affirmation, and proceeded to give his version of the scuffle with the police ab Mercer. He .stated that he saw the arresb of Kerei, bub took no part in the attempt bo rescue him. Ho heard one of the Maoris calling oub " Aue 1 (Alas) I am being killed." Thab Maori, Ihaka Terawhati, was in bhe hands of the police. At this stage, 1 p.m., the Courb was adjourned till ten o'clock on Monday morning.