THE WAIKATO OBSTRUCTIONISTS. MAHUKI AND HIS FOLLOWERS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3652, 29 March 1883, Page 3

THE WAIKATO OBSTRUCTIONISTS. MAHUKI AND HIS FOLLOWERS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

Auckland, This day. Mahuki and his twcnty-tAA'o followers Avere brought up at the R.M. Court yesterday charged AA'ith assaulting Mr Hursthousc, and also AA'ith robbery. After hearing evidence the prisoners Aye re all committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supremo Court. Mr Earl (for Mr Sheehan) reserved the defence. On being called upon in the usual manner Mahuki said he Avould ansAver for all, but they Avere severally charged, and pleaded not guilty. Mahuki declined to plead, but Avanted to make a speech. He Avas cautioned that his Avords would be used iv evidence against him at his trial. He then said : " All I haA-e to say is that I am a man belonging to Te AVhiti and Tohu, and will not at present ansAver those words. My Avord to-day is I have come to make peace Avith my enemies Bryce and Hursthousc." Mahuki's followers Avere asked if they agreed Avith his statement on their behalf, and they said, "Yes." They asked to be alloAvcd to smoke and haA'C more food given them at the gaol. To AVetere, in his evidence, said that if Messrs Hursthousc and NcAA'sham had resisted they would haA-e met death or extreme evil, as Mahuki's part}'- had their Avar girdles on. Kahu, brother to AVahanui, and other Avitnesscs fully identified tho assailants. It is the intention of the CroAvn Prosecutor to indict the prisoners also for assaulting and robbing Mr Newsham, assaulting AVetere To Rcrcnga, assaulting Te Haere, and Avith causing a riot at Alexandra, AA'hile four of them Avill be indicted for assaulting Mr An bin.