THE PERJURY CHARGES

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13462, 17 April 1917, Page 4

THE PERJURY CHARGES

The case for the Crown in connection with the charge of perjury against Tioka Haraipare in the Supreme Court before hi 8 Honor Mr Justice Hosking, concluded yesterday afternoon. Mr Lundon, in opening the case for the defence, addressed the jury at some length, his address lasting two hours and twenty minutes.

Evidence for the Defence. The first witness for.the (defence was the prisoner. Witness said that meetings had been held by Rua in regard to what manner the police should be received. Rua said, "Take no part in the proceedings, let me control matters." He also instructed those who carried sheath knives to remove them for fear it should be thought they were to be used upon the police. Witness said there wa 8 no shot fired from across the gully as alleged, and the shot he heard was the one he had spoken of all through. Paul King carried no firearm, neither was any such weapon held by any other native.

TO-DAY'S SITTING. When the Court resumed this morn. ing prisoner continued his evidence. In describing his arrest witness said that he was grabbed by the back of the neck and the seat of his pants, and turned over. He denied baring struck any person, and said he was injured in the ba?k. He denied the allegation that Horomona hit a constable on the wrists.

Cross-examined: He was a follower of Rua, and believed in his teachings, which were very valuable in his idea! Witness said that he saw Constable Skinner throw cut his hand in the direction of Rua when he fired. There was a revolver in his hand. Questioned as to whether the revolver was like the service revolver produced, Witness replied that if he knew this matter w.?.i cc ing on he should have taken a kte er look.

Mr Mays: Did you see' the smoke from the revolver? Witness: Yes; I saw the smoke. Mr Mays: Where did you run? Witness: But I didn't run. That man who sits in the chair there grabbed me and I couldn't do it. (Laughter.) Witness said that during the time he had been in the custody of Sergeant Cassells, the latter had net discussed the question of the Court cases with him. nor had he attempted to get him to alter his evidence.

Mr Lundon: We do not suggest anv such thing in this case. Te Pou said that the natives "had no runs, and that Paul King did not fire the first shot. He would say emphatically that the natives had no weapons. Rua had said that no matter what happened to him they (the natives) were to behave themselves. If Rua had wished, it would have been easy for him to have got away before the'police arrived. Witness said that with a fnfl knowledge of the meaning of an oath h> would again state that the first shot was fired by the man on the black horse ' l( "How ..many more times are you going ; [: to ask me to say that- ?" added .witness. ~!_L r /^2SS To Mr Mays: Witness denied sat they had been schooled tip in regard to their evidence. \ ;