THE TRIAL OF HIROKI.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 127, 29 November 1881, Page 2

THE TRIAL OF HIROKI.

~+ ALLEGED COWFE3SION BY THE PRISONER. [Br Telegraph.] ICNITBO PRESS ASSOCIATION.} New Pmmouih, 28th November. The hearing of the charge of mnrder against Hiroki was oontinned at tho K.M. Court to-day. Patrick Conway deposed— ln September, 1878, I was on the Waimate Plains, living with the natives. I know the prisoner. I knuw him before September, 1878. I went to Parihaka in August, 1879, and saw the prisoner there, "and liad a conversation with him. I asked the prisoner about the murder, and he said — " 1 went to the oamp, and told them to go off my land and not to kill my pigs. They laughed at me. I went home and came baok again. I wont there three times and told them to leave, and they insulted mo, swore at me, and oalled mo a block nigger. I told thorn I would make some of them pay for this. I went baok with my doable-barreled gun and saw a man in a tent at the camp. The man in the tent took up a gun to fire at me ; I took hold of the barrel cf tho gun and he missed me ; I wrestled with him and took the gun away from him, and I hit him with the butt-ond of the gun and knocked him down. I saw another man running away to the creek, and I followed him and fired at him. I oama back to tho tent to see if the other man was there, and I found he had made his escape. I went and foraged about tho oamp and got some powder. 1 told the Maoris at the pah I hod shot a pakeha, and I was going to Parihaka. When on my way I went to a hut near the Patea river, and Baw a man and a woman ; they asked me where I was going, and I told them I wa3 going to Parihaka. There was a party after me, and Kaitawa, fired at me and wounded me. I got away, and oontinued my journey to Parihaka. I saw a heifer on the roai to Parihakt, and I shot it. I stayed at the place for two or three days, as my wound was bad. After I was wounded, I heard the natives say they would track me, so I wont behind a tree and hid. I afterwards heard the natives Bay they would not traok me, and after they had gone I made tracks to Parihaka. I oame to a r>ah on the road to Parihaka, and tho natives were cooking some tucker, and "I stayed to get some. They asked me whera I was going, and I said Parihaka. They told me I had passed Parihaka, and they showed me the road. One of the natives remarked that I was Hiroki ; but the other one said, ' Oh, no ; that is not him.' I then let them, and went to get my gun that I hid loft in the bu-ih. I got my gun, and wont to Parihaka." Hiroki alio said, " When I was waiting behind the trea for the party to track me, I intended to knock one or two of thorn over." This was all Hiroki said to me. I had lived amongst the Maoris for the last fire year*. I left them about two months ago. I can apeak Moon, and am quite suro I understood what he said to me. Hiroki was informed that he might ask witness any questions, but he merely said, " I do not know anything about thia man (the witness), and I never had a conversation with him." Some other evidence having bean given, the prisoner was cantionod in the usual manner, and he replied that he had nothing to B&y in answer to tho charge. Tho prisoner was then formally committed to take his trial. Hiroki was then further charged with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of William Taylor, of Wattotara, and stealing a double-barreled gun, silver watch, two coats, and a chequebook. A remand was asked till Wednesday next, which was grantod.