THE COURT HOUSE.

West Coast Times, Issue 131, 17 February 1866, Page 3

THE COURT HOUSE.

It having now been positively ascertained that they would be brought up for first hearing that afternoon ; the excitement became intense, and large crowds of people hung round the Court House waiting - for tho event, and there was every likelihood of their not only being a crush, but a rush. This, however, Mr Naughton was determined to prevent, and shortly after three o'clock the Court room was cleared and a strong barrier of constables placed round the dock where the prisoners were to stand, in order to keep the people off. Everything being now ready, his Worship took his seat on the Bench. Mr Brookfiuld appeared for the prosecution, and J. Hotham Preeco was swm in as interpreter. The prisoners were then brought in, in two lots, the first as the actual murderers, and the next as aiders and abettors. The business commenced by the information being read over to them.

Mr Brookfield said he would have to ask for a remand, as they were not prepared with the evidence that day, but would be so on Wednesday next, for the actual murderers, and in about a week's time for the accessories. His Worship accordingly remanded them until Wednesday next, at the same time remarking that he would hold the enquiry at the Stockade, instead of at the Court House, as it would be more private, and save the continual removal of the prisoners. The Court throughout was densely crowded, almost to suffocation, aud so much so that the business had to be stopped to restore order. After the prisoners had been removed from the dock, they again fell-in between the escort of military, and marched off to the Stockade.

THE PRISONERS, thirtj'-one in number, although mostly all large framed men, still are not so fine a lot as any one would expect. They look very careworn and down, no doubt attributable to their long confinement and sea-sickness. Three., of the number we recognised as being old hands in Auckland, and one is a notorious Bay of I-land native. The most attractive one of the lot is Horomona Poropiti (Prophet Solomon), the one that prophesied that Fulloon was to die to save the Maori race. He is an old grey bearded man, rather quaintly robed, and wears a white cloth wound round his head ; he looks the most unconcerned of the whole lot, and the whole party seems to look to him for advice,

The trial will therefore commence at the Stockade at half-past ten to-morrow morning.