The Maori Rising.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXIX, Issue 9060, 8 June 1898, Page 1

The Maori Rising.

1 PRISONERS BEFORE THE COURT.

Auckland, June 6. At two o'olook this afternoon the question of the trial of Hone Toia and the fifteen other Maori prisoners from Hokianga, on charges of treasonable conduot in taking up arms to levy war on the .Queen, was brought up in the Supreme Court before His Honor Mr Justice Coholly.—Mr xheo. Cooper, , instructed by Mr P. Earl, appeared on behalf of Hone Toia and others, and applied that the trial be adjourned till next Criminal Sessions, three months v hence.—-Mr J. A. Tole appeared on bohalf of the Crown, and opposed the application. Mr Theo. Cooper read an affidavit filed on behalf of the defence by Mr j, Earl. The affidavit set forth.that >' coudbgl for the defence bad not been able to get the depositions ofiho prisoners in time and had not been • able to properly examine each prisoner at Mount' Eden gaol, where tbe accused ' were confined. A fair and reasonable time had not been allowed for pre* ' paring the defence, The defence also had every reason to believe the material evidence could be obtained from I Rawene and Waima and vicinity, at

Hokianga, and it was desired to pro* _< Cuve 1 tHis evidence in time for the trial. The reports and comments in tho local , , a newspapers, which had continuad up to r■? the'.present time had agitated thopublic mind on this question. A post- < poneraent. of the trial was, therefore. \

desired. •' S Mr .Cooper also read an affidavit by " 1 Mr Hone fleke, M.H.R., stating that V in his opinion no proper time had been' |g allowed to prepare the defence., and j| agreeing with Mr Earl's affidavit. v ... 1 ' Anaffidavit sworn by Constable GiJp, of Rawene, was read to the effecfcV«| that;; Hone Heke was accomp nit-l to -«1§! Auckland from Hokianga by mi> e ten persons of the native race n llo ,Mpiji||i to give'evidence for the Gilp further considered -thatprejudicial had appeared in and that the public mind wa^^^^P^ 1 Mr Cooper in speaking inj the affidavit said an a( in favour of postponing tl that a very considerable se| native: race in the North a great: interest in this those Northern natives wrongly sympathised with felt 'that the accused perso allowed-sufficient time fort i|f|PlPiP|| it might have a very serio those members of the Maori Cooper .went on to refer paper comments on the and mentioned that two appeared) in the "Herald " judice. One of 'fri)m : ;a.'perßon at Hokianga that these; natives' landehould becclpay for the costs oi'the tridl. : : -I- 5 That' wasin the nature of an tion to! His Honor. . \ : : <ks

His Honor said that that was in the nature of an instruction to the Government, and noc on him. Mr Cooper went on to refer to an- ■ other letter which had appeared in the "Herald" only this morning from Mr . Geissler, • of > Waima, on the subject, • Mr Tole said this letter was only com; - 'menoing on some statements which had been attributed to Mr Geissler himself. # His Honor said he was very sorry this should have appeared. , This was not a comment on thepart of the paper, but 'a letter from someone else commenting, ' but it was equally wrong. Mr Tole opposed the application, and ■ said he l,was prepared to go on with the case on behalf ot the Crown. He did not get the depositions till the day ■ after Mr Earl got them, but he had secured the evidence necessary to proceed with the case. The witnesses were in town and if the case were adwurned they, would have to be sent back to Hokianga. His Honor said he would give his decision to-morrow morning, when the prisoners would be brought up to plead. He would be very much influenced in his decision as to the adjournment by McGilp's affidavit being answered or otherwise. The case is still proceeding.