RUA IN COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2757, 28 April 1916, Page 6

RUA IN COURT

ARRAIGNED .ON TWO CHARGES. By Telegraph—Press Association. kotufua, April 27. Rua and his companions came beiore Mr. Oyer, s.M., to-aay, wnen the Uourt was densely erowued. itua's-case was taken lust. Ho was charged: (1) AVitii intent to muruer \v. J; \tnghc and otners of tiie Aew Zealand l'uiice i' orce, and (a) with resisting lawiul arrest.

mr. seivyii Mays prosecuted on bebait ot cue U'own,' awl Mr. d. R. LunUon, witn him Mr. \V. A. Carter, Ue~ lenued accused. Mr. G.'Hansard was tiie ouicial interpreter. Mr. : Mays, in opening, stated that Rua had laid his plans well. He received tiie tiisborne police affably, and bolted ou signt of the (Jonrniissioncr and the main party, it showed he did not mtenu to give hiuiseif up, nor to discuss tho matter with the Commissioner. Kua ran away, but was checked by the latter, giving the police time to catch him. ills aim was sliown by the actions of his son Toko Rua, whd made. away, and immediately got firearms. Rua (the accused)' showed his intentions' clearly by counselling his

men to "Patua,'' wnich means "Shoot tlieni; kill tliein." The first shot was not iired by Toko Rua nor by Te Maipi, but by another Native with a pistol, who got away. Two men were shot. Toko Rua and To Maipi were given every opportunity. to surrender, but they replied by bring, and the police's counter-volley Killed tnem. Tiie Maoris in every case fired first. . Mr. Mays traced.the steps taken to.get Rua to submit. Constables were sent to iviaungapohatu; then Hon. A. T.. Ngata went, afterwards Mr. Mitchell, on behalf of the Hon. A. L. Hordnian, but all failed. -.-

' Constable T. Cummihgs"."■' detailed Rua's. convictions and,the efforts made to arrest him, ;.'•.'.

; Sergeant D. J. Cum'mihgs detailed his interview, with. Rua, who declared himself. "Christ ahd'HolyJ3host;''.and said he would not let .hkvinen,"..;go .to the war;, that •■' the Germans would win the war,-and he would ■become king of the Maoris and pakehas. If .they laid hands on him they would start a big fight, which he wanted. Henry Tai Mitchell stated that Rua sai'd he did not care if a million soldiers came, their bullets could not touch him, for he was Christ, tho Holy Ghost and true prophet.

At 5.50 p.m., Rua and the others were remanded till next day.

' EFFECT OF RUA'S ARREST. A party, consisting of 'Mr. Selwyn Mays, Assistant Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Wilkinson, Government Surveyor, Senior-Sergeant Cassels, and two constables, have returned to Auckland from a visit of inspection to Maungapohatu, tlie scene of the conflict between Rua imd his followers and the police.During the journey the Natives sent

messengers to intercept the party at various points along ftie road. They wishcd_to be assured that the Government did not intend to confiscate their land or to arrest any more of them. They were told that if they obeyed the laws as they did before Rua came to Maungapohatu the Government would

not seize their lands. t)n arrival at their destination tho party found that one of tho wounded Native's who had remained in the pa liad recovered.. The other, fearing arrest, had taken to the' bush on their approach, and it was sur-

mised that his wounds also were almost healed. The Maoris wore assured' that ho would not be arrested, '«ut that medical assistance would be sent him if it were required. The Natives stated that they wished the Government to know that in future they would obey the law, and asked that officero of the Native Land Court, should at once investigate the titles of their land and settle local grievances. They rendered the party every assistance in obtaining tho information required, and they seemed to have been relieved by the remiyal of Rua's ' influence. .