PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MAHUKI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 6844, 29 March 1883, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MAHUKI.

(united press association.) Auckland, March 28, At the Police Court to-day Mahuki and 22 of his followers were charged with assault on Messrs Hursthouse and Newsham, and also with robbery. Mr Earl, instructed by Mr Sheehan, defended ; and the Crown Prosecutor, Mr Williamson, prosecuted. Mr Hursthouse had not concluded giving evidence at the 1 o'clock adjournment. Later. Mahuki and his 22 followers have been committed to take their trial at the next sessions on the charge of assault and robbery of Mr Hursthouse, Mr Earl (tor Mr Sheehan) reserved their defence. On being challenged, Mahuki said he would answer tor all, but they were severally challenged, and pleaded not guilty. Mahuki declined to make a special statement. He was cautioned that bis words could be used in evidence against him at his trial He said—“ All I have to say is I am a man be’onging to Te Whiti and Tohu, and will not at present answer those words. My word to-day is, I have come to make peace with my enemies—Mr Bryce and Mr Hursthouse.” Mabnki’s followers were askod if they agreed with his statement on their behalf, and they said “yes.” They asked to be allowed to smoke and have more food given to them at the gaol. Wetere, in his evidence, said if Mr Hursthouse and Mr Newsham bad resisted they would have met death or extreme evil, as Mahuki’s party had their war-girdles on, Kahu, brother to Wahanul, another witness, fully identified the assailants. It is the intention of the Crown Prosecutor to indict the prisoners also for assaulting and robldng Mr Newsham, assaulting Wetere te Eerenga, assaulting Te Haere, and with causing a riot at Alexandra, while tour of them will be indicted for assaulting Mr Aubin,