NOT IN SIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 158, 4 July 1916, Page 6

NOT IN SIGHT.

END OF TEE RTTA TRIAL. MORE NATIVE WITNESSES APPEAR. FURTHER EVIDENCE ON MAORI MEANINGS. The trial of Rua Hepetipa is still far from completed. Several Maoris, who have not hitherto been seen in the precincts of the Court, made their appearance this morning, and it is understood that most of them arc to be called as witnesses. After that there will probably be evidence in rebuttal, and then will come the addresses of counsel and the summing up of his Honor Mr. Justice Chapman. Those competent to form an opinion believe that the trial will at least continue into next week. The Hon. J. A. Tole, K.C., is conducting the prosecution on behalf of the Crown, and Mr. J. R. Lundon is defending. MORE EXPERTS CALLED. Further expert evidence was taken with reference to the meaning of the words said to have been used by Rua before the commencement of the shooting at Maungapohatu and after his arrest. Henry Dunbar Johnson, licensed interpreter since 1872, and ex-judge of the Native Land Court, agreed with previous expert witnesses for the defence j that the expression, "He pu era he kino" I meant, "'Those are guns, it is evil." Witness had heard a man being illtreated say "patau a au," which might be taken to mean "kill mc." It was usual for the words "kia mate" to be used after "patua" in expressing a desire to kill. Andrew Tamaho McMath, licensed interpreter, gave similar evidence. He thought that in using the word "patua" while being arrested, Rua might have been expressing a desire for the police to kill him. Having boasted of Divine powers he would probably feel that his mana was lost. His Honor: A Maori chief loses his mana when he is put into gaol?— Yes, your Honor, certainly. Mr Tole: Supposing he used the words "Patua, patua," what would bo his meaning?— Strike, strike. HOISTED THE FLAG AND FED THE POLICE. , Tautara Kanika, the young native who acts as baker for the Maungapohatu settlement, said that .after the arrival of the advance police party from Whakatane early on the morning of April 1, he hoisted the settlement flag as a sign of peace. Witness did this by the direction of Rua. Kanika went on to describe the arrival of the main party, and said that Rua did not run away when addressed by the Commissioner of Police. He only did so when grasped by members of the arresting party. Witness saw a constable on a black borse fire the first shot in the direction of Rua and his sons. That caused Toko Rua to run away, and as he proceeded along the gully several shots were fired after him. Witness was himself arrested. Mr. Lundoa: Had you a gun ?—No. If I had had a gun in my possession at that time I should not have been here now. His Honor: Where do you think you would be?—ln the dock with the accused. SIX SHEEP FOR THE POLICE. Under cross-examination witness said that, acting under instructions from Rua witness and an assistant killed six sheep and one pig for the police party. That was. before he was arrested. Witness identified Constable Skinner as the man -who fired the first shot. In addition to the revolver which he carried in his hand, the constable had a rifle on his hack. Witness also saw him strike Horomona with a baton. Mr. Tole: I am informed that the police did not have any sheep until after the whole disturbance, and that then they only had two, which were killed by one of their own number. What have you to sap- to that? —I killed six sheep for the police. By whose instructions?—Rua's. Did you see them eating the sheep?— Yes, in the porch of the wharepuni. Can you identify any of them? —Not at this length of time. I know the constable from Motu was there. FILLED WITH SORROW. Wiremu Te Pou. a follower of Rua, contributed to the mass of evidence which has been given with respect to the arrest of Rua. When he saw that the latter was in the hands of the police j he knew that there was no salvation, and was filled with sorrow. He went to his house and remained there until he heard the call for all the " Children of Israel" to return. He then said to his wife that he must go and face the policemen. The constables searched his house without finding any guns, and witness was locked up along with several other natives. He was given no reason for his arrest. Honor: Are all the people at Maungapohatu Tuhoe Maoris, or are there some from other tribes?—A number of outside tribes have come under Rua's mana. but they don't stay there permanently. Witness said he could not say whether Rua was afraid of the guns because' he was suffering slightly from deafness i (Laughter.) Mr. Tole: Did you see Rua running away, or were you too deaf to see'— No. I used my eyes. (Renewed laughter). The hearing was proceeding when the "Star" went to press.