TRIAL OF RUA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2824, 15 July 1916, Page 7

TRIAL OF RUA

FURTHER EVIDENCE BY THE "PKUI'HIiT." By TeleEraph-l'i-ess Association. Auckland, July 11. . The Eua trial was continued to-day, when the "prophet" guvo further evidence. Ueaiing with the approach of tha police party to Maungapuhatu, accused said that if he had wanted to be hostile he would Dot have carried out hostilities at Maungapohutu. Thei-6 were many turnings in tile road at Kuatahuna, and had he wished he could have so placed a lew men as to hu've killed all the lorce. The, Maoris know every de(ilq. Describing the approach of ihe. main force tu the plateau, accused said he sent a message through Constable Keepa asking that the constables should lay down their arms, and that the chief officers should approach. Ho said, however, that the request had been ignored. Commissioner Cullen took a short cut. and said "Haerelnai, Run I" Witness replied "Taihoa!" Putting out his handslie had advanced three steps, but when lie saw two policemen appear 011 the Commissioner's right ho tried to get over.the embankment to clear away Women find children. At that moment ho was taken by the arm by a man who was not in uniform. He pulled his arm away, but other constables appeared. He half turned, but they were 66 many anil so weighty that he and they fell over the bank. One took him by the throat. He was kicked in the small of tiio back and on the knee, and he called out to Neil!; who had him by the tliroat, "Kill tna outright." He was "frog-inarched" finally, and in that position he heard the first shot. 111 consequence of ill-treat-ment he became unconscious and lipiml Ho more. In regard to alleged incitement to kill, Una denied, saying "Patua. patua" (kill, kill), as was declared !>v the police. His words wire "Kill me ontriglit." Later, when he fegain/'d his senses, a constable named Williamson threatened {0 shoot him, lo which he replied (ill English), "Shoot me!" A sergeant put, out his hand to wal-d off file constable's rifle. Prisoners lale'r were taken 011 to the marae. Skinner-had

a, revolver there, and tras constantly in possession of it until the marae was left. Mr. Tnle, cross-examining, asked accused: "Von call yourself a prophet, of course?"—Yes.

In answer to a further question accused named three "prophets" preceding iiini. Two, lie said, were prophets and man-killers, tut what he himself had done as prophet had boon for nothins else but the good of mankind. Mr. Tolc: You were ;l total abstainer up to the time you iijct Sir Joseph Hard? —Yes. (Langhter.l His Honour: Did' ho trnch .von evil ways?— Yes, lie took me info a publichouse in AVhakalane. (Laughter.)