TRIAL OF THE NATIVE PRISONERS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2378, 16 November 1881, Page 3

TRIAL OF THE NATIVE PRISONERS.

fPEBSa ASSOCIATION TEIEQBAM.] NEW PLYMOUTH, November 15. At the conoluaion of the proceedings at Court yesterday, a number of gentlemen gathered round Te Whiti and Tohu, and entered into conversation with them. In reply to questions, Te Whiti and Tohu said they had nothing to complain of regarding their confinement, except that they were not allowed to smoke. The B.M. and visiting Justice visited the gaol, and got several of the prison rules relaxed in favor of the political prisoners. During the whole of the proceedings yesterday, Te Whiti and Tohu wore impressed with the dignity of the Court, Te Whiti especially paying particular attention to the manner the witnesses were sworn, and the method adopted of examining all the witnesses.

The Oourt resumed at 10.30 a.m. to-day. To Whiti was informed that he could address the Court. Te Whiti said—lt is very little I have to say. The land, it was finished some time with the King and the Governor. It was said the whole of the land belonged to the Government. We (the Natives) have been staying on the land of the Government. We have been staying on the land ever since the war was over. We have been cultivating the land ; we have not put food in to cause a quarrel. We have put in food for subsistence. Up to the present time it is not my wish that evil should come to either of the tribes (or to the races). My wish is for the whole of us to live happy on the land. I have never wished to do evil or kill anyone. Up to the present time my wish is for the whole of us to live happy on the land ; that is my wish. This is the way I addressed the Maori people. That is all I have to say. The statement, taken down in Maori, was read over to Te Whiti, and he stated that it was correct. Mr Standish declined to address the Court. His Worship then addressed Te Whiti in the following terms —You are committed to the common gaol of New Plymouth, and there to be safely kept until you shall be thence delivered by the due course of the law.

To Whiti made no reply, and the Court then proceeded to hear Tohu’s case. W. Carrington said—l have known Tohu for a good many years, but more particularly since Te Whiti has commenced to bold bis meetings at Parihaka. Tohu has resided at Parihaka for several years, and he belongs to several hapus of the Taranaki tribe. _ I believe that Tohu has almost as much influence with the Natives as Te Whiti. I wei present at tbs meeting at Parihaka _on September 17th. Tohu spoke at the meeting, Baying—“ There is nothing strange to talk of to-da> : death (or distress) alone for bath races. Listen to me. The surveyors’ and the prisoners’ quarrel alone is the talk to-day. Be strong, all of you; be brave, and do not be swallowed up; the wish of the pakeha is to swallow us up, because we are few. We shall not be swallowed. You are now striving for a email piece of land, but you are striving for all the land. Those who wish to fight come here. All I have to say is quarrel, strike (or kill).” The witness also repeated a number of expressions previously stated by Mr Hursthouse. Tohu declined to ask the witness any questions, saying that his case was the same as Te Whiti’s, and the statement made by Te Whiti would also apply to him. Charles Messenger deposed—l have known the prisoner Tohu for the last eight or nine years, and he has resided at Parihaka during that time. About eighty or a hundred Natives resided at Parihaka eight or nine years ago, and in September last there were two thousand Natives residing there. This increase was not due to the natural inorer.ae of the population, but to numbers of other tribes coming to live at Parihaka. _ [The witness then gave evidence corroborative of that given by the previous witnesses relative to the expressions used by Tohu in his speech at Parihaka on September 17th.] Tohu asked the witness—Were you at the meeting on the evening of the 17th September ? Witness —No. Tohu —Do you perfectly understand what land I alluded to in my speech f Witness—l understand it was confiscated land. This closed the case for the prosecution. The prisoner did not make any statement. The prisoners, on being asked to sign their names to the statements made by them, replied they could not write. They were told to touch the pen while the cross was being made. Te Whiti did so without any hesitation, but Tohu required some argument before he could be persuaded to comply with the request. Tohu was committed to gaol in the same manner as Te Whiti. This concluded the business.