THE MAORI RISING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 155, 4 July 1898, Page 5

THE MAORI RISING.

HOKIANGA MAORIS ON TRIAL.

[Continued from Page 2.]

Mr Scon went on to say that the Maoris spoke of going into Rawene with their guns on the following day. Next day there was great excitement in Rawene, and nearly all the people left for Kohukohu on the Sunday in consequence of; the. Maori demonstration. A number of the Maoris, armed, came into Rawene. "Witness recognised Romana and Makara. On May-oth, witness accompanied Col. Ne'wafi's force to Waima, where the prisoners surrendered. Witness went on to detail other incidents connected with the rising and the alarm caused amongst the Hokianga white residents. On a former occasion two of the prisoners, Te Korewha and Te Maid Hauraki, refused to accept an offer to have their fines for non-payment of dog tax paid for them. The3^ preferred to go to gaol.

Mr Earle, in cross-examining witness, asked: Is it not your opinion that it is, desirable that tact and discretion should be used in dealing with these natives in out-districts in relation to the dog tax?

~, Mr Scon: Yes; it is not like dealing with white people, of course, and the Council are more leuient with natives than with white people.

Witness went on to say, in answer to Mr Earle, that the demand of Hone Mete and Komana ar. the meeting left no doubt as to their intention being serious and in cold blood. Hone Mete left no doubt when he said he had 'pledged his body' to die. Witness appreciated the gravity of the situation, and Constable Beazley (who is a halfcaste) also saw the gravity of the affair, and said to witness, 'By Jove, they^mean it.'

(Left sitting.)