TRIAL OF RUA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11755, 20 July 1916, Page 3

TRIAL OF RUA.

MR e. W. BISHOP GIVES EVIDENCE. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 19. Several "witnesses gave evidence in rebuttal in the Rua trial to-day. Inspector Sheehan swore positively that he did not fire ashot at Maungapohatu. Witness d;d not carry a ride and bis revolver was never removed from its case. The inspector also swore that before the police advanced to the marae he saw Constable Skinner exchange his revolver for a rifle. Cross-examined by Mr Lundon, witness said that while on the marao he kept Constable Skinner in sight, and witness did not see him fire a shot. It was not true that Native women were forced to sleep outside. without blankets. ■ Interesting testimony, with a strong Savour of reminiscence, was given by Helyer "Wedderburn Bishop, Stipendiary Magistrate, of Christchurch, who remarked that lie was the senior magistrate of the Dominion, '""and still going strong." From 1873 to 1876 witness was translator and occasional interpreter for Sir Donald M'Lean, tho then Native Minister. He said that the meaning of the words said io havo been uttered by Rua, " He pu era he kino," was "Those are guns. They are evil." The meaning of '' patua, pitim " was '"''kill, kill." "Witness related three occurrences in which he was concerned in the early days of Hckianga. During the year 1577 there was a- tribal disturbance at Punak'iiere, and as an armed party approached a- pa a. man inched out- in front- of his people and said, " Patua, patua,-'" at the came rime giving a kind of war danco. Immediately following this shots were fired and two of the Natives were killed. Another instance of the uso of th© expression occurred at Otaua (Rokianga). As one tribo advanced the leader of the home tribe rushed out, calling " Patua,-patua." A free exchange of blows followed resulting in death. Robert William Dyer, Stipendiary Magistrate, gave evidence as to the convictions he imposed upon the prisoner in the "Whakatane Police Court in 1911, and again in 1915. "Witness stated, positively that, ho told Rua that ho was making a great mistake if he thought he could fight tho law, as he would find that tho law was stronger than he.