THE ESCAPED MAORI.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7213, 26 November 1888, Page 6

THE ESCAPED MAORI.

—♦ — PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE R.M. AT KAIAPOL By the first train North. Fekanui Atmrona, alias Murray, was conveyed in custody of Warder Clark to Kaiapo»The prisoner was in a private compartment of the train, and accompanied by Sergf. Stagpole, of Sydenham, the sergean t to act as interpreter if required. Curiosity prompted a number of persons to assemble at the railway station, in spite of a downpour of rain, and Constables Cartmill and Donnohuc were there to renew their acquaintance with Apurona, who has been taken back much against his wilL Mr Inspector Pender arrived by the train to conduct the prosecution of the case. Apurona, who was securely handcuffed, had been provided with a thick topcoat as b, protection against the rain. He looked upon the crowd as somewhat of a nuisance which followed the police party to the lockup. Hurray, or Apurona, was observed to possess the same quick expression and at times a sort of startled appearance. Some of the natives who saw him say that during the time Murray was at liberty previous t« the Mandeville Hotel buxglarv he never appeared to rest, but when he "stayed with any of them a gust of .wind, the striking of a clock, or a sudden movement of any kind was the signal for alarm, causing Apurona fresh anxiety. As the time drew on for the tearing of the Mandeville Hotel case, the Court-house was crowded. At the Magistrate's Court before C. "Whiteloord, Esq., K.M., C. Hansen Esq., Mayor, and H. J. Horrell, Esq., Fekaaui Apurona was charged with burglariously entering the Mandeville Hotel, kept by David Mitford Marshall, on October 14th, and stealing certain monies amounting to 17s 3d. • Mr Pender conducted the prosecution. The Information was laid by Constable Cartmill, and on being read the accused pleaded •'Not Guilty." D. M. Marshall, licensee of the Mandeville Hotel, deposed he resided ou the premises, and slept at home on the night of TOctober 14th. Went to bed at ll p.m. The premises were fastened except the kitchen window, which was down but not fastened. All the other outer doors and windows were locked. All the inmates of the house were in bed before him. He left 5s 8d in small silver in the till to threepenny pieces and sixpences. There was about 12s worth of copper, mostly in pennies; there were a few halfpennies. The money was all in one drawer, which was locked, with the key in the lock. Witness slept upstairs: On soing to bed he heard some one talking outside, and believed one of the persons wae accused. Could not swear it was so. Was not in the least disturbed during the night. Came down next morning at seven o'clock. The girl Lizzie Windle wae first down. On coming down saw that the slide window opening to the bar Irom the passage had one pane broken. Had locked up the bar on the previous night, and the door was still locked. The broken glass had fallen into the passage. Going into the bar found the till on the floor entirely empty, every penny taken, and another drawer which contained papers also on the floor, but none of them taken. The window at the kitchen was pushed up, and a piece of wood, about 18in, propping it open. The yard gate is generally bolted, he could not say if it was fastened that night. Three sticks of tobacco were taken. The kitchen window was easily put up. Had not seen the. accused before that. The range rake used in the kitchen, now produced, was found In the bar. Prisoner had no Question to ask. The Resident Magistrate said as the prisoner was a Maori, and Mr G. P. Mutu in Court, if prisoner wished it the evidence would be interpreted. Did he understand the evidence in English? Apurona —Yes, sir. HUzabeth Windle, servant, in the em ploy of Mr Marshall. On October 14th slept on the premises, and went to bed upstairs at 10 p.m. Had been in the kitchen shortly before that, when the 'windows appeared to be all secured. Next morning the window of the kitchen was raised op sufficiently for a man to set in, and held up with a piece of wood. Witness saw the slide window of the bar open and a pane of glass broken. She •wept up the broken glass In the passage, and amongst it was an iron button varnished black. She then threw the sweepings into the kitchen fire. (At this stage, there being a deal of talking in Court, .the Resident Magistrate ordered one of the offenders outside, pointing out it was important he should get the notes of the evidence without interruption). • continued — The button ■was afterwards found and she gave it to j Constable Cartmill. It was like the one { now produced. Had not observed any button in the passage on the former even-. fo the Resident Magistrate—'There might have been a button there the night before, but if there had been witness believed she would have seen it. Accused had no questions to pat. * Frederick East, fisherman, saidtthatt t on October 14th, he was in the yard of he Mandeville Hotel between 10 and 11 p.m. Saw the accused there. He asked witness for some tobacco, and he told him to go inside and buy some, as they sold it in the hotel. Witness tried the back door, and told prisoner it was locked, and he could not get in. Witness walked away, and the accused followed dose behind to the footpath. They were there a few minutes, when three others came up, and 'the prisoner went away, leaving them talking. Witness next saw him on the suspension bridge, crossing it from the -direction of the hotel at a little after t eleven. Witness saw J. Preece go over the bridge just after the Maori. Preece 'caught up to Murray in the centre of the •bridge. . Prisoner—You say you saw mc in the yard?. v Witness—Yes; yon followed mc round. Prisoner—You say I asked for tobacco? ' Witness—Yes; and I told you where ytfu could buy some. Prisoner—We went into the yard. Did . yoa open the door ? Witness—No. ' Prisoner—"What time? 1 Witness—Between 10 and 11. Prisoner—What did we do on the footpath? : Witness—Talking. ' Prisoner —Are you sure I am the man ? Witness—Yes. Prisoner—What did I hare on, small or overcoat? Witess—You had a small coat. I did not take notice of it. ' Prisoner—Was it a white, black, or red coat? Witness—Did not notice the clothes. Knew you more by your voice. Prisoner—Where did we go? Did I ask yoa to go to bridge ? Witness—Nα Prisoner—Where you see mc next time? Witness—On the bridge, after eleven. Prisoner—Where was 1 going ? Witness—To the pah, I thought Prisoner—Did you see mc go into the ■hotel? Witness—Xo. -Prisoner—What did you try to open the door for? Did you stay there? Witness—No. Prisoner—Ycu tried to get in after they had gone to bed. What you do that for? Witness—l had a mate in the hotel named Newman. Prisoner—That's all. I don't know the man. He don't teil the truth. I never saw him before. On the depositions being read, witness said the men came out of the hotel, and one was Newman. J. W. Preece, laborer, said he was in the Mandeville on October 14th, and left at ten minutes to eleven. On going out at the back door and gate he met lost witness and the prisoner. He spoke to them on the footpath near the gate. Resident Magistrate—Who was East speaking to 1 Witness—This gentleman. (Laughter). Resident Magistrate — Which gentleman? Witness—The prisoner. Resident Magistrate—Persons may be gentlemen outside, here they are the plaintiffs, defendants, prisoners, police, and Magistrates. Examination continued — Witness saw the accused for some time, and saw him come to Middle ton's Hotel, and then ceme back. (The talking in the Court again started, when some more persons were removed) Witness with the others saw the Maori go to the footbridge, and followed him. Murray was leaningo verlooking into the river. As witness got two-thirds of the-wav across the bridge witness said "Good night," when prisoner turned and accompanied witness to the north side, it tSVend of the bridge the accused j turned to the left, and went to™****" factory. Witness went to hw home right opposite the foot-bridge. »W "<*«£]£ but stood at the gate. Accused went about 100 yards enljr, when *»• returnee*

and went across the bridge towards the Handernie Hotel. It was now about ten minutes past eleven. Prisoner—Where did you see mc first f Witness—At the back gate. Did not see you before that. It was about five minutes to eleven o'clock. Prisoner—Where did I go to ? Witness—To the Mandeville Hotel. Then I met you on the bridge. Prisoner—Where had you been that night? Witness—l don't think that hasanything to do with you. Resident Magistrate—Answer the question. Witness—l was in the hotel; three of us were there. We all came out together. Jobannah Murphy, servant at Jeffrey's boarding-house, Kaiapoi—Saw prisoner on October 16th at the house at breakfast. He was late—a little after eight. He paid one shilling. He had dinner and paid two sixpences. Tc Prisoner—Did not see you on Sunday. Clark, tobacconist, stated on October 15th prisoner came to his shop and bought tobacco or cigarettes for which he paid iv coppers and threepenny bits; it would not be 2s altogether. Next day he bought a packet of cigarettes and paid sixpence iv coppers; also a box of matches, for which he paid a penny. To Prisoner — Remember the small change. Prisoner — Suppose you never saw a copper before. Do you know where I got the copper from ? Did I take it out of my own pocket? Witness—Yes; it was seldom he took sixpence in coppers. Agnes Brown, wife of David Brown, fruiterer—saw accused ou October 15th at their shop. Prisoner bought two pork pies, and paid six pennies. On Tuesday he bought two pies, and again paid six pennies. On both occasions prisoner turned his back to witness to count the money. Prisoner asked if witness still had the coppers. witness—No ; had given them in change. Prisoner—Did you ever take coppers from anyone else. Witness—Yes. Prisoner—Have you seen mc before ? Witness—No. To Mr Pender—lt was not unusual to take coppers. Mary Jane Jeffery, wife of J. C. Jeffery, lodging-house keeper, said prisoner stayed at her house on the night of Monday, 15th October, and had breakfast on next day. He paid witness a shilling, ninepence in copper and a threepenny bit in silver. He paid the girl (Murphy) on the day previous. To Prisoner—First saw you Monday morning. Emma Taylor, daughter of Mary Taylor, fruiterer, deposed—She saw prisoner in I their shop on Wednesday, October 17th, at Ba. in. He came in for some change, and asked her to give him two shillings or a two shilling piece for two shillings' worth of coppers. She gave him Is 3d in threepenny pieces, as she had no larger change. Did not notice if he had more than two shillings' worth of copper. Prisoner said he had no question to ask. He did not remember this transaction. J. C. Jeffery stated—On 17th ult., at 8.30 a.ih., prisoner paid him for tea, bed, and breaktast, with one shilling, seven threepenny pieces, and three pennies, i Agnes Donaldson said on October 17th she resided with Mr Brown, fruiterer, at, KaiapoL On that day saw accused, who bought two pork pies, and paid three pennies and six half-pennies. Prisoner—Do you know where I got the coppers from? Witness—No; but I am sure of amount. Prisoner—l came in again. Witness —Not when I was there. Prisoner—l suppose other people pay yon pennies. Witness—Yes; I put the money into the tilL Constable David Cartmill deposed—He went in search of prisoner on the 17th. He was going in the direction of Rangiora. At the Cam bridge, hearing the sound of the constable's horse, Murray looked round hurriedly, and began searching his vest and other pockets. Witness was partly in uniform, and rode up to him. On dismounting he told the Maori he wanted to see that money he had on him, at the same tlmereachlngouthishandtolayholdofhim. The prisoner dodged his grasp, cleared over the fence, and ran into some trees, where he was lost to view. The constable, with others, went after him. He next saw Murray on the north bank of the Wai-' makariri, opposite to Raven street. He was standing among some willows, and as witness came near the accused kept dodging. Finally he caught the prisoner. In reply to his question as to why he ran away, Murray said he thought he was a robber, and asked the constable who he was. Witness told him he was a constable, and on catching hold of him he told accused he arrested him upon" suspicion of breaking into the Mandeville Hotel on the night of I i October 24th, and stealing money from the bar. On searching him found a pawn j ticket, but no money, and a tobacco pouch. Prisoner said nothing. , I Mr Pender—Did he resist ? Constable—No; I sprang at him and knocked him down, and he came along quietly. Examination continued—Received the black button from Mies Wlndle at the hotel,-which was similar to buttons on the trousers accused was wearing in respect of the brand, shape, and size. They wew marked, " Patent Improved." There were three buttons missing off the trousers but only one the size of that in Court was missing. Accused wore suspenders. The window at the back of the Mandeville Hotel was four feet from the ground, and a man would have to pull ! himself through. Prisoner—Did you ever see any buttons like that? Constable—Yes; I have seen some like them. Prisoner—l have the same buttons on now. (The buttons were here compared, bnt did not correspond). To Resident Magistrate—The button on accused's trousers, the pair he was now wearing, which he thinks is the same as that in Court, is marked " W. Strange and | Co."; the other button is marked **Patent improved. , * j John Jones, laborer, residing at Kaiapoi, said on 17th he was in a boat on the river. He saw Constable Cartmill in some willows. The constable said he was after a Maori, and gave him a description. Witness pulled a little way on and saw prisoner under the bank of the river. Prisoner put up hi* hand, and shook his head at witness. Witness called to tie constable, who then came up. The prisoner tried to dodge away among the trees, but the constable finally arrested j him. * i The Resident Magistrate administered the usual caution to the accused, who said —I have nothing to say. He was then committed for trial at the Supreme Court j in the ensuing sessions. j During the proceedings in Court Apurona was noticed by many who hud seen him formerly to be looking thinner and more subdued. He endeavored to cross-examine some of the witnesses, particularly Mr Preece, who had watched the Maori's movements on the Sunday evening during which the Mandeville Hotel was robbed. He also endeavored to chaff some of the witnesses to whom it is alleged Apurona paid away the loot taken from the hotel till for pies, tobacco, and cigarettes. When Mr Marshall stated the hotel was secured before he went to bed, the prisoner was noticed to smile, and when the landlord said the inmates were not disturbed, the accused's face developed a broad grin. Since he broke from gaol the first time the Maori has lost a stone and 41bs in weight. At the close of the case prisoner signed his statement, ''I have nothing to say, John Marray,"noc Murray, as he has been commonly called. He was placed in the lock-up with a guard. On being marched off to the train, some two hundred persons, including women and children, were at the station to catch a glimpse of the man who has almost held the country in terror for nearly a month.