The Action Against Sir Arthur Gordon.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4748, 19 July 1883, Page 4

The Action Against Sir Arthur Gordon.

[Phb Fbbsb Association.] WELLINGTON, Jut* 18. In the ciß6 Hunt v. Gordon, plaintiff continued his evidence as follows : — Heferring to the interview at the British Consulate, the witness said: After it had ended Sir A. Gordon desired him to remain. He did to, and had a conversation with defendant, who stated that he recognised the power which he (Hunt) had over the King, and considered it advisable that he should cease any connection with his Majesty. Sir A. Gordon expressed the opinion that although witnen might be deposed from his position, he would still rule the country from his private office. *Witneis pointed out to the High Commissioner that, en the lone hand, bo recognised him as an offloer of Government in con* sequence of bit official correspondence, and on the other would not recognise him as such, fair Arthur replied that ho recognised witness aa tho Chief Secretary of Samoa. The Private Seoretary handed to defendant I the prohibition order in reference to witness, and tiir A. Gordon signed it, remarking that he would leave instructions with the British Consul to arrest witness if he disobeyed the order. Bir Arthur further mentioned that a man-of-war would return to Samoa in the coune of the month, and if witness was then in the country he would be forcibly removed and placed in prison for a ooupls of years. Witness then went) to the King, who advised him not to take any notice of bir Arthur's

threat*. Witness Uf that in attempt to arrest him would lead to a oolliiion between the man-of-war's sailors and the Bamoan troopi, and he deemed it advisable to go to Fiji and seek legal advice on the question of naturalisation. The King gave htm perais•ion to visit Fiji for the purpose, and promised not to fill up the office during his absence. The Cormorant arrived at Leruka whilst witneis was there, being en route for Samoa to remove him in the event of his being in that country. Captain Bruce met him in the streets of Levuka the day after the vessel arrived, and told him that if the Samoans had refused to surrender him, he would have bombarded the town. Witness was kept in prison for 19 days. He was only allowed an hour a day for exeroise, being locked up for 23 hours out of the 24 hours. For the first two days he was allowed six biscuits a day, and as much water as he | could drink. At the end of the second day be complained about this treatment, and the Consul graciously allowed him a meal a day, which was brought up from an hotel. On the 24th he was informed that he was about to be removed to Fiji, and he at once wrote protesting agaimt such steps on the ground I that he was a naturalised Samoan subjeot. Witneis was conveyed on board a schooner by Inspector Soanlan, Ihe captain told wit* ness that he (Hunt) was his prisoner. Witness asked him for his authority, and the matter declined to comply with his request. The veisel arrived in Fiji on the Brd of next month, about nine in the evoning. The Icspector of Police (Mr Fowler) oame on board, and instructed the captain to allow witness to go at large, explaining that the object of the arrest had simply been his re* moval from Samoa. Witness was then released, and instituted proceedings against the High Commissioner. In 1880 witness was in possession of a blook of land in Samoa. The land had coooanuts growing thereon, and had ho not boen reuuved from Samoa he would have turned a good deal cf money over in cuitiv.tiig his produce. His salary ai Ohief Secretary wui SOOOdoU (equal to £600) a year. There was nothing in the nature of his position whioh would have prevented him from carrying on private business, and it was his intention to have resumed the occupation of an auctioneer, Ao. He had sent for one of his brothers to assist in his business. Such a burinejs would be worth sbout £400 or £500 a year. In cross examination, witness said that the Gtrman people claimed 20,000 acres in Samo4. An American Company and a number of foreigners alio claimed a large quantity of land. A portion of the territory of Samoa waa oalled the municipality of Apia, and had not been ceded to any Power. Courts of Justice were in existence in 1877, Judges j being appointed by the Republican Govern- ! ment. The prtser.t Constitution was made in 1875, at the instance of Colonel Steinberger, who filled the position of Prime Minister of Samoa. This person was afterwards removed by H.H.B. Bmaoouta. The first year Samoa possereed a Constitution was in 1873, when there were two Kings. In that year there was no neutral territory, and there were also no treaties, but under the pre»ent Constitution there waa cne King and two Homes of Parliament. All the treaties in existence were framed subsequent to 1873. In 1878 an Ara?rican named Corcoran committed a deliberate murder at Apia, and although he had been found guilty it was agreed to send him to the United States to be tried. A similar case bad occurred previously when the United States authorities liberated the prisoner on tba gronnd that they had no authority to try anyone for crime committed in another country. The ifuropean inhabitants held a public meeting at whioh it was decided to harjg Corcoran. This was oarried out, the only active part taken by witness beiDg that he got the Chairman to t»ko a ballot after the shor of hands, find afterwards stayed with prisoner while a clergyman was sent for. Witness wai tried before Judge Gorrie for conspiracy to murder Corcoran, found guilty and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. For this he received the following Qneen's pardon, signed "Victoria B.":—* Whereas Walter James Hunt was in the Court of High Commission for the Western Paciflo in February, 1878, in Samoa, convicted on a charge of conspiracy to murder, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment for the same, We, in consideration of some circumstances humbly represented unto us, are graciously pleased to extend our grace and meroy unto him, and to grant him our free pardon for the crime of which he stands convicted. Our will and pleasure, therefore, are that you cause him, the said Walter James Hunt, to be forthwith discharged from custody, and' for so doing this shall be your warrant. Given at our Court, at St James, the 21st day of October, 1878, in the forty-seoond year of our reign. By Her Majesty's command, (signed), B. Abhton Cboss. To our trusty aod well-beloved Officers administering the Government of Fiji, and all others whom it may concern." In addition to the above, he was presented with an address by the European residents at Apia. Mr Shaw intimated that he would not call any more witnesses, bmt would rely on the evidence taken by Oommiesion, whioh he suggested might be read ovn slowly to the jury. Mr Harper thought that doing this would fit in with an application for non-suit, which he intended to nuke. His Honor thought that timo would perhaps be saved by this course. The Court then adjourned till ten tomorrow morning.

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