TRIAL OF RUA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2798, 16 June 1916, Page 6

TRIAL OF RUA

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, June 15. At the trial of the Native "Prophet" Rua to-day, William Noil, constable, of Rotorua, said that the Commissioner was the first to reach Marae, and witness was fifth or sixth in bha procession. lie carried an axe, which he had been using to clear the track for tho main body through the rough country. When he arrived Rua was standing in the opening with one son on each side. The Commissioner called to Rua to come over, and the latter made a step or ko forward, but theu turned away. Tho sub-inspector went up to Rua, and placed his hand on his shoulder, and asked him quietly to come over. Witness said that Rua hesitated, so he went up to assist Sub-Inspector .Tohnston in case of necessity.., Before ho got up to them Rua started to resist. Witness got hold of him, and one of his shirt-sleeves camo off as he pulled away. Rua called out loudly, "Patua, Patua." Witness did not have the axe' at that time, haviug ;droppe<j it. As Rua went over the embankment, witness jumped 011 to his back, and held him until other constables came up. Mr. Tole: Now, you being a half-caste. I want to get your interpretation of what "patua" means? ■ , "I took it that it was a call to his people to kill or assault the police." Mr. Lrnulon (cross-examining): The real meaning of the word "patua" is to hit?—"lt would be used for that." • His Honour: If a Maori was on the warpath and wanted his followers to cominencc hostilities, what would he say? "Patua." Mr. Tole: There are different words in Maori, are there not, for "punching," "beating" and "striking"? "Yes." Mr. Tole: And if a Native wished to tell another to "strike." he would not necessarily say "patua," but would use some particular word? ' - "Yes." 1 Mr. Tole: And if he wished to tell others to "destroy" he would say "patua" ? "Yes." Several other police officers gave evidence before the Court adjourned.