THE TRIAL OF RUA

Otago Witness, Issue 3249, 21 June 1916, Page 47

THE TRIAL OF RUA

«J> FURTHER POLICE EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND, Juno 14. Much better progress tvus made with the trial of him to-day, ana 13 witnesses ior the prosecution iiave now been disposed of. There are stili lb more witnesses for the. Crown. several constables testified as to what occurred during the light at Rua's stronghold, and as to die search for arras. Among them wa<s Constable Wright, of Huntfy, wiio was shot in the shoulder. Me said that he had been iii ever since, and on Priday last lie took a turn for the worse, lie was suffering from pleurisy and internal bleeding, and had been ordered an immediate rest. At the present time he was very ill. June 15. At the trial of the Native "prophet" Rua to-day, William Neil, constable, of tiotorua, suiei that the Commissioner or Police was tiie nrst to reach Marae, snii witness wa,« fifth or sixth in the procession. He carried an axe; which he hat) been using to clear the track for the man; body through the rough country. When lie arrived, itua was standing in the opening with one son on each side. The Commissioner called to Run. i.o come over, and the Latter made i step or two forward, but then turned away. Sr.b-inspector Johnston went to L-Ctia and jiiac, d his hand on his shoulder and asked him quietly to come over. Witness could see that Kua hesitated, so lie went up to assist the sub-inspector in case of necessity. Before he got up to thorn Rua started ro resist, and witness got Hold of him and din of his shirt sleeves came oi! as ho pulled away. Rua called out loudly: " Patua, Patua'" Witness did not have cho axe at that time, having dropped it as Rua wont over the embankment. Witness jumped on to his back and held him until other constables came up. Mr Pole: Now, you being a half-caste, 1 want to get your interpretation of what " Patua" means Witness: I took it that it was a call to his people to kill or assault the police. Mr Lundon (cross-examining): I"he real meaning of the word "Patua" is "to hit"? —lt could be used for that purpose. His Honor: If a Maori was on tno warpath ;u><\ wanted his followers to commence hostilities, what would be say?—'"Patua." Mr Pole: There ar-s different words in the Maori language, -vie thr-rc not, > for ■■ lunching." "iieating," and "striking"?— And if a Native wished to toll another to "strike" he v.cnld not necessarilv say "Patua." but would use some other particular word? -Yes And if he wished to tell others to "dostvo'y" he would say " Patau ' ?—\ os. j Several other police officers gave ev deuce | bofor " tTC °° l ' June 19. The trial of Urn was continued to-day, I Ron'.'N.iata'ai.d Joins YouKng Birch, who, las the 'Herald's special reporter, was tho i to 'Rua'? sirorghold. i Commissioner Cullen will pv.-.b ibly givo i evidence for the Crown to-morrow. 1 r>o:vt say to your chemist "I want somej ihino- for'a cold. : ' Ask for "NAZOL" I —am' make sure it is "XAZOL" you get. 1 Look for the name--"NAZOL."