THE WEST COAST MURDER.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2389, 29 November 1881, Page 3

THE WEST COAST MURDER.

HIROKI COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. [PBESg ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM ] NBW PLYMOUTH, November 28. Hiroki wsi brought up on remand at the Police Court to-day, when the hearing of the charge of the murder of McLean waa resumed. Dr. O'Oanoll—l am a eurgeon in the Armed Constabulary force. I made a medical examination of the prisoner on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday last. Pound traces of an old wound 3£ inches above the hip bone. It had the appearance of being caused by » bullet. The bullet came out in back of the rib bone, having travelled a course of about 4 inches near the surface. It appears to be an old wound, received at least two years ago. The wound would not prevent prisoner travelling immediately after he received it, as it was not a serious wound. Richard Birch deposed—l am a surveyor. In September, 1878, I was engaged on the survey of the Momahaka block ea a cadet with Mr Fraser. Witness gave evidence in corroboration of that given by Mr Fraser. He added—“ I killed four pigs sometime before the murder in company with prisoner, who did not object to pigs being killed. Prisoner wore a cap like the one produced." William Minnie deposed—l live neat Normanby. In September, 1878, I started to look for Hiroki, in company with J. Blake,, four Natives, and Constable Burrowes. Wo started from Waverlcy and went first to Waitaranui. Tamanui pointed out the tract of a men and a dog. We followed the track for three days. Oa the first day a bullet was picked up by Te Rama, and a camping place was found. Our party went to Huwera, and afterwards went to a Native settlement on the Patea river, but got no information there. The party went up the river and then returned to Hawera. Three days afterwards some of the party wont to Eappokonui. They got to an old clearing at about S a.m. The party was armed with Saider carbines. Tho party were posted under cover close to the clearing. After waiting for some time, a Native named Kaitawa came to us, and while he was talking to us Hiroki appeared. Kuitawa was first to see Hiroki, and called out. I turned round and saw the prisoner. I swear it was the prisoner who is now in the box. I know him before and recognised him at once. He was walking when I first saw him in the direction of Parihaka. Hiroki seemed to hear Eaitawa, and he stood and looked at us. As he slewed to run away Kaitawa fired on him. Another named Te Bsws fired. When Kaitawa fired prisoner said “Not this lime*' (meaning that ha would not let them shoot). I want after prisoner and X saw him pulling off his mat, and I also saw his hat fall oil just as he was going in the bush. I fired, and Hiroki disappeared in the bush. Ho got behind a tree. Blake came up and the party then went to surround tho tree. After we had surrounded it, Blake and I went up to tho tree. Wo found that Hiroki had escaped. We found tracks leading towards Parihaka. These tracks were tho same tracks wo had followed on the three first days. Hiroki had a dog with him. Wo tracked Hiroki for about one and a quartermiles towards Parihaka and then we lost hio tracks in a little bush ground, being covered with leaves. This was about thirty miles from Parihaka. I saw the mat produced, picked up at the spot L saw Hiroki throw it off. There was a bullet hole in the corner of the ‘mat. From the manner in which tho prisoner was wearing the mat I should say that the bullet would have struck him about the hip. The cap produced was picked up and was the satno Hiroki ware.

Hiroai (to witness) —What was the reason you fired at mo ? Witness—Wo were told to fire at you. Hiroki —Why did you fire ? Witness —Because you, ran away. If you had stood I would not have fired. Hiroki—Who told you I billed a European ? Witness—l hoard it. Hiroti—You know nothing about it. Patrick Conway deposed—ln September* 1878, I was on the Waimata plains, living with the Natives. I know the prisoner, I knew him before September, 1879., I went to Parihaka in August, 1879,. and taw the prisoner there. I had a conversation with him. 1 asked prisoner about tbe murder. Ho said:—“l went to the camp and told them to go off my land, and not to kill my pigs. They laughed at me. I . went home, and came back egair. I went there three times and told them to leave, and they insulted me, swore at me, and called me a black nigger. I toldthem I would make some of them pay for this. I went back with my, doublebarrelled gun and saw a man in a tent at tbe camp. The man in the tent took up a gun to fire at me. I took bold of the barrel of the gun, and ho missed ms. I wrestled with him. and took the gun away from him, and I hit him with the butt end of the gun and: knocked him down. I saw another man running away to the creek, and I followed him and fired at him. I came back to the tent to see if tbo other man was there, and I found, he had made his escape. I went and foraged about the camp. I got some powder. I told the Maoris at tiro pah I had shot a pakeha, and I was going to Parihoka. When on my way I went to a hut near the Patea Eiver, and saw a man and a woman.. They asked where I wbs going, and I told them I was going to Parihaka. There was a party after me, end Kuitawa fired at mo and wounded mo. I got away, and continued my journey to Parihaka. I ; saw a heifer on tho road to Parihake., and I shot it. I stayed at tho place for two or three days, bb my wound was bad. After I was wounded I heard the Natives say that they would track me, so I want behind a tree and hid. I afterwards heard tho Natives say they would not track me, and after they had gone I made tracks to Parihaka. 1 cares to a pah on the road to Parihaka, and the Natives were cooking some “ tucker ” and I stayed to get some. They ssked mo where I was going, and I said P.irihaka. They told me I had passed Parihaka, and they showed me the road. One of tho Natives remarked that I was Hiroti, but the other one said, “ Oh no, that is n :thim.” I then loft them and went to got my gun that I had left in tbe bush. I got my gun and went to Parihaka.” Hiroti said—“ When I was waiting behind the tree for the party to track me I intended to knock one or two of them over.” This was all Hiroki said to mo. I had lived amongst the Maoris for the last five years. I loft thorn about two months ago. I can speak Maori, and am quite sure I understood what ho said to me.

Hiroki was informed that he might ask witness any qucotior.s. Ho said—l do not know anything about this man (the witness), and I never had a conversation with him. Kaitawa deposed—l live at Manehitiwhitf, near Normanhy. I remember being one of a party who searched for Hiroki in 18/8. It was in the month of September. Blake, Williams, To Ksws, and myself and others formed the party. Wo saw Hiroki in an old clearing on land at Eaupokonui. When I saw Hiroki he was carrying a load on his buck and Lis dog was in front of him. Hiroki had a kit under the mat end gun over his shoulder, I called out twice to those that were with mo, “ Hero he is,” but the others did not hear me. I went out into the clearing that Hiroki might see mo. Hiroki saw me and turned round. As ho turned round to ruu away I Crc-d at him. Raws also fired at Hiroki. I wont out to the middle of the clearing, and called out to the others “let us follow him." I saw Hiroki drop tho mat produced. I know it by the bullet hole. I followed Hiroki for a short distance, and I then went with the psrty to Oro. Oa the following day we returned to the clearing, and picked up tho bullet, cap, kit, sheet, tobacco and other articles. Hircki (to witness) —What is tho reason you fired at me ? Witness —I was obeying tho order of the Government. Hiroki—Who tcld the Government I was the man who shot McLean. The Ooart decided that tho question could not be put. . Hiroki—l have n r thing more to aek. Ido not know why the Europeans fired at me. The prisoner was then cautioned in the usual manner. Ho replied that ho had nothing to say in answer to the charge. The prisoner was then formally committed to lake hi# trial. Hiroki web then charged wi!h breaking and entering the dwelling house of William Taylor at Waitolaia, and stealing a double bairelled gun, silver watch, two coals, and cheque book. A remand was asked till Wednesday next, which was granted.