THE TRIAL OF RUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16268, 29 June 1916, Page 5

THE TRIAL OF RUA.

INTERESTING EVIDENCE. MAORI RELIGIOUS DAYS. NUMEROUS OBSERVANCES.

YOUNG WOMAN'S STATEMENT.

A smart-looking and neatly dressed young Maori woman was the central figure in tile trial of the " Prophet" Rua before His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman in the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday. Una's chief secretary also completed a long ordeal in the •witness-box, and incidentally threw some interesting light on the religious days observed by the Maoris.

J 11 ua pleads not guilty to charge of using seditious language and counselling and procuring certain natives to kill | members of the New Zealand police force with intent to resist his lawful arrest. The Hon. J. A. Tole, K.C., prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr. J. R. Lundon appeared for the defence. Makarini, chief secretary to Rua, was further cross-examined by Mr. Tole. He I denied that he had discussed his evidence "with anybody since the Court adjourned. ( What day of the week is Rua's Sabbath ? asked Mr. Tole. AH days are Sabbath days to Rua, the witness replied. On such days as he deems it expedient to hold religious services those are his Sabbaths. Those are Rua's Sabbaths?— does not confine himself to any day in the week for lite Sabbath. Rua's Many Sabbath Days. Rua has many Sabbath days ?The 12th of each month is held to be a sacred day; also January 1 and July 1. What does July 1 signify?—lt has always been a great day from time immemorial so far as the Maori custom goes. What is the January 1 festival? do not know the origin. It is set apart by the Maoris as a great Sabbath day. Is it because it is the first of Our Lord's year?— That may be. I cannot say. Do cya know the tenets or principles of Rua's religious teaching — do not know. His Honor: Do they keep March 17? — do not know that. They keep the Sabbath of the Jews. Is that it? Yes. I have heard that the Jews keep their Sabbath coincident with ours. Rua Had Plenty of Money. Witness, further questioned by Mr. Tole, said Rua always had plenty of money, and could readily have paid the fines imposed upon him. "He did not know how much money Rua had. Mr. Lundon, in re-examination, asked witness a question with reference to the loss of some money at Maungapohatu. when Mr. Tola objected. Mr. Lundon contended that the point had arisen in the cross-examination. n/r M r Tole persisted in his objection, and Mr. Lundon was also insistent. After further argument His Honor said with some warmth, " If you continue this discussion I shall tell the witness to leave. I have ruled, previously on the point." | Makarini, in reply 'to His Honor, said he supported _ Rua's objection to arrest, but was not in favour of physical resist- ; ance. The witness left the box at 11.20 a.m., that being the exact time he entered it the previous day. Shot in Bight Shoulder. Herepo, a Maori, looking about 19, spoke to being on the bank at Maungapohatu on the day of - the trouble. He told of the arrival of the police with guns, and said he was shot in the right shoulder. He did not carry a gun. Waireti, a good-looking young Maori woman, dressed in a blue serge costume, said she was at Wai-iti when the police spoke to Rua. She did not know what they were talking about at first, but subsequently the police said they had come to arrest Rua. She heard Rua say to Constable Grant, " Come and take me," but that he would not go. Witness said she was also at Maungapohatu on the day of the trouble, and went on to relate the story of the first shot coming from the constable on the black horse. She also saw the constable on horseback chasing the people and firing all the time. Toko Rua was shooting at the police, who were firing at him. A constable pointed his gun at her. and she ran into Rua's house. The police came in, and said if all the women did not get out they would be shot. They went. She was one of the women who spent the night on the roadside.

"* What 'was the reason for that?" asked Mr. Lundon. " Ask the police," the witness quickly rejoined. One of the constables shot a pig. Witness thought he meant to have hit a Maori. She Was Not "Violent Dick." Cross-examined by Mr. Tole, witness said the meaning of her name was " violent." She indignantly denied that she was known as "Violent Dick." Mr. Tole made various ineffectual attempts to induce the witness to give her evidence in English. "You speak English very well?" Mr. Tole asked. The witness shook her head as a negative. " Just look at me," said Mr. Tole. The witness turned her head and gave the Crown Solicitor a bewitching smile. His Honor took a turn in the proceedings. The witness replied in Maori that she had no husband, and that she did not know how many wives Rua had. In further reply to Mr. Tole, the interpreter having again been called to the scene, witness said she had never been to school and was not married.

Have you not been Rua's wife? Mr. Tole asked.—Yes, answered the witness.

There was no answer to the question as to whether she was the "prophet's" favourite wife.

Not Anxious to Return.

.And you are anxious to be Rua's wife again?— No. I want to remain as I am. His Honor : Have you any children ?— Yes.

How many ?Three. Mr. Tole : Then Rua discarded vou ?— No.

Why did you leave him?l have no reason.

Asked by Mr. Tole if she remembered the day of the shooting, the witness merely smiled. " Ah." said Mr. Tole, " the smile of admission."

Are you not fond of dancing? Yes. We are always dancing. How long do the dances last, all day and night?— They start after the evening meal, last until about half-past two in the morning, and then we go to sleep. Mr. Tole : I should think so.

"Thewitness has a continuous smile," remarked Mr. Tole, as he was asking the witness to point out various places on the plan. Mr. Lundon : That smile seems to haunt my learned friend.

"No Laughing Matter."

Witness adhered to her statement that the police chased the women with guns pointed at them. She emphasised, also, that she was a truthful woman. The women did not laugh at the police. It was no laughing matter. The women actually cried. She did not complain to the Police Commissioner. It was the police's own

wrongdoing. His Honor : Did the Police Commissioner see the police driving the women down?— Yes.

Mr. Tole: Were you not dancing all night when you say you were under guard by the police, and asked the police to join?— Yes, on the Monday night. We had to dance to keep ourselves warm. Witness said the temple was not considered tapUj or sacrilegious after the police had been in.' The Court then adjourned until this morning.