TRIAL OF "PROPHET" RUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16259, 19 June 1916, Page 3

TRIAL OF "PROPHET" RUA.

MORE EVIDENCE FOR CROWN

SHOTS FIRED BY POLICE.

Little evidence, other than that of a corroborative character, was given on Saturday at the resumed hearing before His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman of the trial of the "Prophet" Rua Hepetipa, following upon his arrest at Maungapohatu by an armed force. The chief charges are that of using seditious language and that of counselling and procuring a number of natives to murder members of the New Zealand police force, with intent to resist his lawful arrest. Rua pleads not guilty.

The Hon. J. A. Tole, K.C.. conducted the case for the Crown, and Mr. J. R. Lundon defended.

Further evidence was given as to the shooting which took place in connection with the arrest. Rua appeared wearied by the proceedings.

There was a marked decline in the attendance of the public, few persons, being present.

Constable George Rushton spoke of the shooting. He said he fired three shots. Cross-examined by Mr. London, witness said he did not hear any order to chase the natives. No one waited for orders. Everyone "sailed" for anyone whom he could get. He saw Toko Rua, although wounded, fire from the ground from a pistol in his left hand. Mr. Lundon: Do you mean to say that 1 a man could fire when he had received a wound from which he was likely to bleed to death? His Honor: Do we not read of that kind of thing every day? Have you not? Mr. Lundon: I have not. His Honor: Then you do not read, the war news as carefully as I do. «, Mr. Lundon: There is a difference between trained and untrained men. In further cross-examination witness said he did not hear any order of " Don't fire." A man in a red shirt escaped being fired at because of a woman who appeared in the bush opposite him. William Henry Rogers, constable of Raurimn, said he fired three shots. Fixing first came across the gully from behind the cook-house. He was one of those who shouted to the natives, " Don fire, you will be all right." Cross-examined, witness denied that he or Rushton fired through the doorway of a whare in which it was suggested there was a woman and child. It was ridiculous, he said, to suggest that there could be a child in the wharc. At this stage, the Court at 1 p.m. adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-day.