WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2050, 19 April 1864, Page 3

WANGANUI.

(tfft<M OUR OWS CORRESPONDENT.) April 7. Triggers case is proceeding slowly being remanded till Friday next ; it presents many curious features. It appears that Nepia. (a sou of old Tarfttoa of Manawatu) ahortly after the reward was published f'ojfc himself stirred up by a strong spirit of friendship towards the Pakehas and determined to lind out the murderer of Rayner. Of conrse the reward had nothing to do with his friendship. So he went to the native lad who had lived with Rayner and accused him of ?the deed. The lad denied any knowledge of the transaction and referred him to the half-caste, who he said, "knew nil about it." Thereupon Nepia then went to the half-caste and challenged him with the murder ; at the same time bouncing him, by telling him that it would useless to deny it, as he knew the whole of the affair. The half-caste protested against the accusation, bur stated that Trigger had done it and had compelled him to help to bury the body, stating also that the reason he had not said so belore was, because Trigger had told him that the Pakehas would hang him for helping to bury the body just the same as if he had committed the murder. At first sight suoh a statement might wear an

air of probability, but I do not think it likely that supposing Trigger fo havo committed the murder h? would have left a living witness to testify against him. If the maori lad knew nothing about it, how was it that he knew, that the halfcaste did know ? Why did not the half-caste tell his sister ? Has his sister ever been put on oath as to what he did tell her. I have heard from several Rangitikei settlors that the story of how and when he left Rayner's which he told his sister was very different from the statement which he made before tho Coroner. The later statement certainly agreed noarer.with that of the maon lad, but then the pair of thoni had had plenty of opportunities to concoct anything they liked. The maori and half-caste have never been under more than a nominal arrest.- In fact the half-caste has never been confined at all this time. The man whom I believe to know all about it, is at liberty, whilst Tricker is in custody on his statement, The half-caste has never sworn to anything, he says he does not know what an oatli is, but he will speak the truth. CredatJudceus. Not that I set any value on the oath of a Maori for I believe they will swear to anything to suit their purpose As one of many instances of this that have come um3ar my own observation. I give the following ; A. case of horse stealing was being tried in a Native Court, presided over by a European magisstrate — A native assessor — one receiving a salary from the Queen, swore, in the most positive manner, that the horse in dispute waß branded with a certain brand, which he flourished about in the j mojjt ludicrous manner. At last to prove his perjury, the horse was drought to the Court, when it was found out that the brand with which he swore he had branded the horse, had never touched it. •' Never mind, says the assessor, I have.got severa brands at home, and 1 have made a mistake and brought the wrong one with me." That Pricker is not guilty of the charge, there can be doubt, for at the time the half-uaste states the murder was committed, Tricker can prove a good and perfect alibi. Now what will be done with the half-caste in that case ? For should Tricker prove the alibi, as I stated, he will be morally guilty of murder in trying to hang Tricker. I think it will turn out to be a regular conspiracy, and that it is very probable thatßayner was murdered the night before, aa he reached home from Bull's. There were plenty of persons who saw him have his money there that day, and it may yet turn out that some one got home first and waited for his return to commit the deed. I have just heard that the Wanganui has been chartered for two trips to Manakau, immediately on her arrival from Nelson — £500 for the two trips. [Tricker has since been committed for trial. — Ed. W,1.-\