CHARGES AGAINST MAORI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20175, 8 February 1929, Page 14

CHARGES AGAINST MAORI.

'JURY FAILS TO AGREE

Tho trial of Hira Erucrn, a Maori, aged 29 (Mr, Singer), on four counts of carnal knowledge at Portland. Whangarei, was continued in tlio Supreme Court yesterday bof6re Mr. Justice Blair.

Mr. Singer read to a sister of accused ft letter in which the girl concerned said tho story she told tho polieo was quite nntruo. Witness denied she had had anything to do with the writing of the Jotter. Mr. Singer contended there was no case io answer, apart from the accused's own admission, and he gave reasons why this should not be accepted. His Honor said the girl concerned had been an ; unsatisfactory witness, and had the case depended solely on her it would bavo been his duty to tell th. jury that it would be unsafe to convict On tho other hanu, the Crowi, had ..:,t monopoly of unsatisfactory witness, us Mr. timger baa mado teferenco to tho singular mental incapacity ot Ins own client. After a brief retirement the jury re turned to ask for specimens of tho hand anting of the girl ami of i,t. e witness >vlio was alleged to havo induced her to {write a denial of her stateine.it to the police. These witnesses wrote at His Honor s dictation His Honor declined to supply informa turn asked for as to who inst.tuted tho jj resent prosecution. After a retirement of four and a-qunrter Jiours the jury returned to report there >vas no chance of agreement. An application by Mr. Hubble, for the jgrown; tor a new trial to tnk„ place at next criminal sittings was granted ■^•nd "accused was released, as beforo on own bail.