HEARING OF THE RUA CASE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2761, 3 May 1916, Page 6

HEARING OF THE RUA CASE

FURTHER EVIDENCE. By TeloEvapli—l'rcso Assoclntion. Rotorua, May 2. Constable M'Gowan stated that he rode to the- place where 'Wright was shot. -Cross firing was taking place on tho left-hand side going up. There'were no 'police there. When ho got there attention was drawn to a Native.who was firing from a gully over the Gisb'ornc track. ."Witness fired at him as he was climbing-over a log. Witness .was taking out an empty cartridge when v he was struck with a shot on the back of the right ear, and on the hand and leg. Feeling faint, he was on his way to tho meeting house, where the wounded were, when he was struck again, on the right arm, with a small-sized hullet, probahly from a pea-rifle. Feeling better ho went back, arriving in time to take part in .the search of tho big house. After this, one or two shots were fired from n gully in the direction where lie and Sergt. Cassells' were standing. They both returned the fire. Constable Ruslion deposed that he heard a shot from the other side of the gully. Others came from the paddock around Sin's house. He went into the paddock, Constable Rogers following behind. Between the small hut and the fence lie saw three armed Maoris, one bleeding from a wound in the arm. He shouted:,"Surrender.! Hands up! You'll be all right!" TV Maipi put his hands up. Two lifted their firearms 'to fire, and witness dropped upon his knee. The' shots went over him. He heard Roeers firing. Toko Run and Te Maipi again fired. Witness fired when the second shot was fired, and saw Toko Rua fall. To Maipi advanced into the open and fired at witness, who replied,' and To Maipi fell. Maloney and Rogers also fired. A third man dressed in n red shirt disapoeared between a bit of fence and the hush opposite the whare. There-was no question of the person being a--msni. A woman's head appeared • just as the red shirt was disappearing. Witness shouted to his mates not to fire. After-further corroborative evidence.. Rua nleaded not guilty, and reservedhis defence. Mr. Lundwi (foy the. defence") applied for trial at Hamilton, on tho ground of convenience and expense. Mr. Mnys,.opposed the application. The Magistrate committed the. accused fc>- trial at, the next sittings at Auckland.