TRIAL OF HIROKI FOR MURDER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 499, 23 November 1881, Page 2

TRIAL OF HIROKI FOR MURDER.

The trial of Hiroki for the murder of McLean proceeded all day at New' Plymouth yesterday, when amongst other evidence was that of Tapa Tewairi, a native chief, living at Waitotara, at the Papatukupah,whodeposed: Iknow the prisoner, whose name is Wiremu Hiroki. I have known him for many years. He lived at the same pah with me three year ago. In September, 1878, I left the pa

tc go to Wellington to attend Parliament. When I left, Hiroki was of my kianga. Hiroki had a double-barrelled gun. I came back from Wellington in November, and I found Hiroki had left and had taken his gun with him. I heard while in Wellington that McLean had been killed. I said to Hiroki, “ You have brought disgrace to the tribe ; you have killed the white man, and left trouble behind you amongst the people.” Hiroki did not reply. I asked Hiroki whether he shot McLean, but he did not answer. I never saw Hiroki wear a hat like the one produced. I do not identify any of the articles in Court as belonging to Hiroki. Hiroki had pigs running at large, but he never complained of losing any. Never saw Hiroki wear a mat like the one produced. —Hiroki (to witness) : Who told you I killed McLean ?—Witness : Williams. Hiroki; do you believe that statement to be true ?—Witness : Everyone believed it to be true.—The Court then adjourned till to day.

[by telegraph.] New Plymouth, To-day. The case came on at the Police Court this morning. Kereopa was the first witness examined, and deposed to going in search of Hiroki, and to finding a kit. On seeing him afterwards at Parihaka he mentioned the murder of McLean to prisoner, who did not reply.—William Williams, late Land Purchase Commissioner, deposed to being instructed by the Government to go in search of Hiroki after the murder of McLean.—ln reply to a question put by the prisoner, witness said he did not know whether a mat, shawl, and kit found belonged to Hiroki. —Tamanui deposed to seeing Hiroki after the murder of McLean. He came to witness’ whare. On leaving, prisoner said—“ From the rising to the setting of the sun let no man follow me.” The cap and mat produced prisoner was then wearing. He also had a kit in his hand. —The case was adjourned till Monday.