TRIAL OF HIROKI

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2385, 24 November 1881, Page 3

TRIAL OF HIROKI

NEW PLYMOUTH, November 23. To-day Hiroki was again brought up at the Police Court on the charge of murdering John McLean. Tho same gentlemen occupied the Bench. Kereopa deposed—l am a Native ohief. In September, 1881, I was living at Waitotara. I know Hiroki, and have know him for many years. I know he was living at the same pah as I did, near Momahaka. I know a block of land that was being surveyed near tho pah. I remember McLean being killed. I heard of it from a man. I was at Wanganui when I hoard of it. About six days after I had heard it, I returned to Paratuku pah. When I left for Wanganui Hiroki was there, but he was not there when I returned. After I returned from Wanganui I went in search of Hiroki with Hone Pihama, Tahurui, and Konuku. John Blake and others went in searoh of Hiroki at tho same time. Hiroki had a double-barrelled gun at Paratuku. Neither Hiroki nor his gun were at the pah when I returned from Wanganui. Hiroki had some pigs. Prisoner did not complain to me that tho Europeans had been killing his pigß. After searching for Hiroki, we did not find him. About two years afterwards I saw Hiroki at Parihaka. On seeing prisoner, I said to him, " I have heard from the tribe of the evil you have done, that you have killed an European. I have heard from Hone Pihama and the tribe that you killed the European." Hiroki made no reply. He did not seem ashamed. He did not ohango countenance, he merely turned his head away. I did not see Hiroki with a dog. I don't know whether ho owned one. I have never seen Hiroki with a cap nor a mat like tho one produced. I know nothing about the book produced, nor tho writing on it. The prisoner BBked no questions of this witness.

William Williams deposed—l am a licensed interpreter. In September, 1878, I was a Land Purchase Commissioner for the Government. I was in Wellington at the time I heard of the murder of McLean. I was ordered by the Government to search for Hiroki. When I got to Waitotara, Hone Pihama and I went up the river to search for him. Two parties went out; one party that went out found traces. In consequence of information I received from Mr Slake, I went to_ a place called Kaupokonui. I saw a olearing there. Blake and his party were there. Wo searched the place and found traces of footmarks. Hiroki had evidently been taking cover there. Behind a tree close by I picked up a kit. The one produoed I believe to be the eamo. In the kit were several plugs of flat tobacco, similar to those produced, a little wrench, part of a cheque book, a sheet, part of a Maori testament, and several round bullets. I recollect one of the bullets in particular. The bullets were in a bag. Either Mr Blako or one of the Natives gave the kit to me. That cap was given to me. I kept charge of them for some time, and handed them over to the sergeant of police. I know Hiroki. He belonged to the Ngarariri tribe. A few days after pioking up the things, I wont with a lot of ohiefs from Waitotara to Parihaka to ask for Hiroki. We did not find him there. Some three or four months afterward I mv him at Parihaka.

Hiroki —Da you not know that those things on the flaor are not mine ? WitnesE—No, I do not. Hiroki —They do not belong to mo. Tamona —I am a chief of the Ngatiporu tribe, and reside at Waitaramur.ui, Puke-wirapm-a. My residence is six miles from Waitotara. One day in September, 1878, Hiroki oame to my whare. He camo to me about tbroe o'clock in the [afternoon. There is a small plantation a short distance in front of my whare. Hiroki had visited my place the same morning. When he came to my place Hiroki did not sit down. He stood up all the time. My ■wife had a pot of food cookinp, and she asked him to come and have some of it. He acoepted the invitation and partook of the food. He did not sit down, but oat some outside of the whare. I did not notice anything utrange about Hiroki. After > eating one potato he left. Aa he left he said

—" From the rising to the setting of the sun lot no man follow me." Hiroki had a cap on his head. I know the cap produced to bo Cho one he wore. Hiroki was oarrying a potato kit. He had also a small billy. Tho mats (produced) were | worn by Hiroki at tho time I saw him. He had a dog with him. The color of it was yellowish, with white. Hiroki had a coat on and a shawl round bis waist. It was an old shawl. .It had some red on it, and was marked like a plaid. I have known Hiroki from a child. I went to Parihaka with Mr Williams, but I did not see Hiroki, I saw John Blako at my place at Kaiapoi. I pointed out the footprints of Hiroki and his dog to Mr Blake, and west with the party in search of tho prisoner. We were two days out. It was a small footprint that I pointed out. Tho prisoner said ho had no question to ask. Mr Standish asked that the case might be adjourned till Monday next, when ho would have four more witnesses to examine. The prisoner was then romanded till Monday next.