PERJURY CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3034, 22 March 1917, Page 6

PERJURY CHARGES

SEQUEL TO THE TRIAL OF RUA. By Telegraph—Press Association. Hamilton, March 21. The trial of Natives on charges of perjury in connection with the Rua trial was continued this afternoon in tho Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Hosking. Mr. Selwyn Mays appeared for the Crown, and Mr. J. R. Lundon for the defence. Tahu Hirawano was arraigned on a charge that at the trial of Pukepuke Kauara on September 29, 1916, he committed perjury by swearing to the effect that at Maungapohatu on April 2,1916, when at the place where Pukepuke Kauara picked up a gun, Constable Skinner was not there, and had gone np the Gisborne track before the said Pukepuke Kauara picked up the gun as aforesaid. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. In opening the case for the Crown, Mr. Mays said it was inconceivable that the police had entered into an absolute and huge conspiracy in this matter. The New Zealand police force was a capable body of men; able to hold up their heads with any similar force in the world. Senior-Sergeant Cassells was the first witness for tho prosecution. His evidence supported what had been sworn by the Crown witnesses during the trial of Pukepuke Kauara at Auckland. Considerable skirmishes and argument during Lundon's cross-examination took place between counsel. Mr. Mays said they, were again doing the long, long trail of _ Una's trial, and wero going into all its bloodshed. ' His Honour reminded Mr. Lundon that he had allowed him a good deal of latitude, and the time of tho jury and tho public was being wasted. He | would not permit the introduction of | irrevelant matter. ; The trial is likely to be prolonged.