WHO FIRED THE FIRST SHOT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16500, 28 March 1917, Page 6

WHO FIRED THE FIRST SHOT

ANALYSING RUA'S ARREST,

CASE FO3 THE CROWN CLOSED. [BT TELBSRAPH.-oto COBKESFOKDBTT.] i HAMILTON, Tuesday The trial was continued to-day before Mr. Justice Hosking of Tutara Kauika, who was charged that he committed perjury at the trial of Rua by swearing that the first shot at Maungapohatu was fired from a revolver by Constable Skinner. Mr. J. R. Lundon appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. i Further evidence was . called by Mr. Selwyn Mays for the Crown, to show that when about two miles from Rua's 'pa Constable Skinner handed his revolve? pouch and belt to Sergeant Oassels, and •that the first shot could not have been fired by Constable Skinner. Among the witnesses were the ex-Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Cullen, Inspector Sbeehan, and Sub-Inspector Johnston, of Gisborne. In his evidence, Mr. Cullen said that during the arrest of Rua he heard a shot. That shot was fired from the bottom of gully, about 350 yds on his left. There were no police in that place at the time. About a minute later a Maori ran up the hill from the locality where the shot had come from, and disappeared fa the scrub. The shot seemed to come from an automatic pistol, or something like it. When the shot rang out Constable Skinner was on witness's left front, and there was nothing in Constable Skinner's actions fa ijustify the opinion that he had fired at Rua, or at a native running away. The case for the Crown was closed at 5 p.m. The defence will be opened to* morrow morning.