TRIAL OF TB WHITI, TOHU, AND HIROKI.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 114, 12 November 1881, Page 2

TRIAL OF TB WHITI, TOHU, AND HIROKI.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT. By Telegraph. J i united pres9 association.! Nett Plymouth, This Day. The Taranaki" Mounted Riflis, under Captain Davidson, arrivei in town thh morning at 9 o'clock with Te Whiti, Toha, and Hiroki. The prisoners were delivered over to the New Plymouth gaoler's custody, and were confined in the ordiniry cells. Hiroki was placed in a separate cell from Te Whiti and Tohu. The troop left Pungarehu at 4 o'clock, arriving at about 9. Tli3 prisoners will be brought np at 11 o'clock. Noon. Te Whiti and Tohu were brought down from the gaol to the Court House in a cab. Hiroki was handcuffed, and marched down on foot, and on being brought into Court put in the prisoner's dock. Te Whiti and Tohu were allowed to sit on the floor of the Courtroom facing the Bench. Mr. C. B. Rawson, Resident Magistrate, took his seat a little {after 11 o'clock, and the following J P.'s were on the Bench: —Messrs. W. Bayley, C. D. Whitcomb, F. A. Carrington, H. Weston, T. King, H. Brett (proprietor Auckland Star), King (of Wanganui), and Captain Cornwallis. Mr. Standish, with Mr. Samuel, appeared for the Crown. Mr. Stooknan acted as interpreter. Hiroki was first charged with murder, and the warrant read and translated to him. Mr. Standish asked for a remand, as witnesses against the prisoner were at Wanganui and Waverley. The prisoner was then remanded. 12.55 p.m. The Court-room was densely crowded, several ladies being amongpt. those present. Te Whiti and Tohu were clad in the ordinary brown Government blankets. The former, however, had a shawl under it and a bunch of flowera in his hand. Tohn took no notice of the crowd that were aronnd him, although several pressed eagerly forward to s?e the prisoner.?. Te Whiti occasionally turned his head to look at those who had assembled. After Hiroki had been removed from the dock and marched under escort to the gaol, To Whiti was charged under the information of C. W. Hursthouse that he (Te Whiti) had on certain days named used language whioh was likely to disturb tho peace of the district. The information is of great length, Mr. Standish apked for an adjournment till 2 o'clock, which was granted. Te Whiti and Tohu wore then conveyed back to the gaol in a cab. Haweba, 11th Novomber. The Star understands that one condition in Mr Bryoo's letter of terms to Te Whiti was that the natives themselves should give a token of their submission by pulling down the fences they had erected. Yesterday the Alexandra Cavalry again started ont searching for arms m the Plains. Major Atkinson accompanied them. A start was made about 3.30, and Taikatu and Omuturangi pahs wore searched About 20 stand of arms were found, including several Terry carbines, ono double-barrelled flint gun, and several Enfield rifles. Taikatu pah is considered to be capable of being defended against a large force, and fresh tracks of horsemen were seen leading to the settlement. Ihe two or three old men and women who were found in each settlement knew what the object of their vit-itors was, and were loud in their protestations that there were no gun 3 or powder. However, the result showed that their statements were incorrect. Altogether, 84 stand of arms, 551b of gunpowder, and a large quantity of caps, were taken. It s*em3 strange that no attempt was made to conceal their arms and ammunition. The latter could not readily be replaced. The rifles werj generally found in boxes, where the powder and caps were also placed, the powder being for the most part in tin cannisters. Dr. Tripe came up from Wanganui, and accompanied the troop, as it was considered quite likely that thore might be some show of resistance. Major Atkinßon was the first to enter tho whares at Taikatu, which was considered one of the most risky places, as it is a former Btronghold oE Titokowarn, whither ho used to retire when pressed by tho Europeans.