RUA IN COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2758, 29 April 1916, Page 6

RUA IN COURT

COMMISSIONER OULLEN'S EVIDENCE. By Telenranli.—Press Association. Rotorua, April 28. The Rua case was continued to-day. Constable Grant stated that he was sure a Maori fired the first shot. Commissioner Cullen, when Rua ran away, told the police not to fire. Commissioner Cullen stated thpt the police did not fire till fired on. When the firing began he appealed to Rua tostop it, without effect. The firing went on for fifteen or twenty minutes, and witness again appealed to Rua to stop it. After conversation, some Native women went towards the firing calling out in Maori, and the firing coased. Had Rua stopped it when first appealed to the lives of Toko Rua and Maipi 'would have been saved, and some of the police would not have been wounded. At the beginning of the affray Rua called out "Patua." There was considerable discussion as to the meaning of this terni, the prosecution contending that it meant "strike," or "bit," and thd other side submitting that it miaht mean "I am hit." Rua's caso was adjourned until next day, and the case of the other Maoris was adjourned until Monday. Tlio inquest on the slain Maoris was further adjourned until Tuesday.