TRIAL OF MAORI PRISONERS.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 152, 5 July 1870, Page 3

TRIAL OF MAORI PRISONERS.

The trial of the three Maori prisoners, which was proceeding yesterday when wo went to press, was finished about eight o'clock. They were found guilty, sentence being deferred. The two who were discharged, Hops and Karanama, were with difficulty induced to believe that they were set at liberty. They were dismissed by the back door opening into the yard of the Court, and after they had been otit some time a knock was heard at the door. It was opened, and the prisoners were found to hare returned to tell Captain Ferris that there was no guard over them. his Honor expressed a wish that they should be provided for until they could be sent back to Tauranga. This morning another batch of seven was placed in the dock, five of whom pleaded guilty, and two old men, very deaf pleaded not guilty. The Attorney-General shortly afterwards explained that these evidently did not understand the nature of the plea, and, after talking with their chief, had consented to withdraw it. They were brought in again to plead, but his Honor, not being satisfied that their retraction was entirely voluntary, would noi allow the plea of guilty to be recorded, and their case was erdered to stand over until the Attorney-G-eneral resolved what he would do with them. Five others were then placed in the dock, and all of them pleaded guilty. The remainder of the prisoners were afterwards brought up, and pleaded guilty. In the case of the two old deaf men who did not seem quite sure whether they .were guilty or not, the Attorney-General entered a nolle "prosequi, and in all probability they will be allowed to join their two confreres, and proceed to Tauranga. The Court then adjourned till .Saturday, when the prisoners witl be brought up for sentence. — Wellington Pott.