TRIAL OF THE WHAKATANE MURDERERS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 331, 11 December 1865, Page 1

TRIAL OF THE WHAKATANE MURDERERS.

(From the New Zealand Herald, December 4.) We Lave received the following communication from our special correspondent at Opotiki, relative to the trials of the Whakatane murderers, but for the reasons he stales the full evidence is for the present withheld. The trials commenced at Opotiki on the Gth November, and terminated on the 27th. There were, it seems, two separate cases, the first taken being that of the actual murderer of Mr Fulloon and the other victims in the Whakatane massacre, twenty-one in number; the second that of the investigation of the affair, as aidors and abettors. Those latter numbered fourteen persons. Of the former eighteen were found guilty, and sentenced, of the latter twelve. Our correspondent has the whole of the evidence, but at the request of the President of the Court the publication of it is deferred until after the Governor’s final decision, as to whether the sentence of the Court shall be carried out or not, shall have been received. The documents forwarded to us are but the preliminaries of the trial. Wo shall publish the evidence at an early date. (FROM OUB SPECIAL COEBE3FONDENT.) November 6. This memorable trial of the alleged murderers of Mr Fulloon and others on board the Kate at Whakatane in July last, commenced this morning, at ten o’clock, and as may he readily imagined the deepest interest was evinced by all in the Opotiki camp, including several hundred Arawas, who had recently arrived to witness the proceedings of this momentous enquiry, the result of which, be what it may, must be of deep and lasting importance to the whole of the Northern Island, if not to the colony at large.

The court-martial was constituted as follows: President, Major George; Members, Captain Penncfudxer, Capt. Hussey, Capt. Wilson, Lieut. Malone, Lieut. Cleary, Lieut. Paulks, Judge Advocate, Lieut. Chapman. Prosecutors, Major M‘Donnell and Mr Commissioner H. T: Clarke. For the defence, Mr Commissioner T. H. Smith. Interpreter, Mr W. G. Mair, K.M. The Court opened at 10 o’clock a.m., and the proceedings commenced by the Judge Advocate reading the proclamation declaring Martial Law in the district, and also the warrants authorising the President and the Judge Advocate to assume their respective offices. Previous to any evidence being taken, the two reporters received an intimation that it was expected that they would not publish the trials until a final decision had been come to, as tho whole has to be referred to his Excellency before the law is carried out. Several days must elapse before a full report can bo laid before the public. THE CHARGE. Tho charge brought against Hoare Poururu, I femora Te Aura, Hake Tukino, Hokara, Hawira, To Hihira, Kaniera We-etoptoko, Hunia Murupo, Ho.ahea To Pakehini, ilaki Weihou, Hoani Hupa, Uutuk-u Te llangi, To Aka o tau Te Hura, Te Meihana To Tawa, Tamati Nga te Hoko, Tio Wahu, Paralmruha, Mikaire Kirimaungu, Ture To Mat utarewa, Wiremu Kcpa Te Amopa, Pnnapa liangitewai,—that tb*y, on tho 22nd day of July, 1865, at or near Whakatane, in the Bay of Plenty, in the Province of Auckland, in tho Colony of New Zealand, did feloniously wilfully, and of malice aforethought, kill and murder one James Fulloon, one Frederick Pringle, one Bobiuson, and one other person name unknown, against the peace of our. Sovereign Lady tho Queen, her Crown ond dignity. 0. Stapp, Brevet-Major, Commanding Expeditionary Force. Opotiki, 2nd November, 1865, Warrant and Authority appointing Brevet-Major George, President of a General Court Martial at Opotiki. By virtue of an authority granted to me by his Excellency Sir George Grey, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor and Comtuatuler-in-Chief in and over her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, ami Vice-Admiral of the same, &c., &e., and authorising me to convene or cause to be assembled from time to time General Courts Martial for the trial or punishment of Natives concerned in the late barbarous murders and acts of cannibalism on tho East Coast of New Zealand, I do hereby institute instate you President of a General Court Martial, to bo assembled at Opotiki, on tho 6th of November, 1865, for hearing and examining into, according to the powers and directions in all such matters as shall then and there be brought before you, and for so doing this shall be a sufficient warrant and authority to you aud all others concerned. (Signed) C. St ait, Brevet-Major, Commanding Expeditionary Force. Given at Opotiki, 2nd November, 1865. Brevet-Major George, Expeditionary Force, Opotiki. [Copy.] Warrant appointing Lieutenant Chapman Officiating Judge Advocate. By virtue of the authority granted to mo by his Excellency Sir George Grey, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath Governor and Oommander-in-Chicf in and over her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, &c., &c,, authorising me to convene and cause to be assembled, from time to tfcae, General Courts Mar-

tial, for the trial and punishment of natives concerned in the late barbarous murders on the East Coast of New Zealand, I do hereby institute you Officiating Judge Advocate of a General Court Martial, to be assembled at Opotiki on the 6th day day of November, 1865, for hearing and examining into such matters as may be brought before it, and for so doing this shall be a sufficient warrant and authority to you and all others concerned. (Signed) C. Staff, E.M., Commanding Forces. Given on this 2nd November to Lieut. Chapman, Epeditionary Force, Opotiki. Orders issued on Colonel Lyons assuming the command at Opotiki. Lieut.-Colonel Lyons has much pleasure in publishing the following communication received from the Hon, the Defence Minister, dated Wellington, 13th November, 1863 ; — H I am at the same time to request you will convey to Major Stapp the thanks of the Government for the zeal, ability, and discretion with which he has performed very arduous and important duties from the time he joined the force, and especially since he assumed the chief command.—(Signed) J. Holt, Captain and Under Secretary.” In giving over the command of the Expeditionary Force, I feel it incumbent upon me to express my thanks to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men composing it, for the hearty manner in which they have co-operated with me on all occasions in the performance of very arduous duties, and more particularly for the gallantry they have displayed” when ever engaged with the enemy. I sincerely regret parting from a force with which I have served for upwards of three months with great satisfaction to myself, and in doing so heartily wish it every success iu the future whether with the sword or plough. C. Staff.