LATE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1917, Page 1

LATE NEWS.

¥Efi KSLGB3 &BSOCXAHON.—OOPTOZCHTJ A DRAMATIC SEQUELA Charge of border. AUCKLAND, March 21 The accidental discovery of a male skeleton in the bush in Victoria Valley, between Kaitaia' and Hokianga, about a fortnight ago, has led to a dramatic sequel. Eight Maoris, (five men and three women) have been arrested on a charge of the murder of Constable Sefton of Kaitaia. \ At the time of the above discovery it was stated that the remains were those of Matai Perihana, whose death had occurred in August 1913. The body had evidently been buried near the surface of the ground, as the skeleton had become exposed. The message further stated that there were suspicions of foul play, and that a good many persons' might To found to have been concerned in the alleged' assault upon deceased. Detective Camming went to ’’Kaitaia a week ago to investigate, and this 1 insulted in these arrests. 4 An inquest will be held next We luesday at Kaitaia. Daylight Saving. SYDNEY, March 21. The Daylight saving scheme ends at 2 o’clock bn Sunday morning, and Mere is every indication that it will not no revived.. A Purchase. LONDON, March 20 The Portuguese Press announces that Japan has from Portugal the Island of Macao. Sentenced to Death. ' SYDNEY, March 2i. James Wilson, serving a sentence for a' murderous’ attack on a warder at Tamworth gpol, cabled on October 23rd, lias pleaded guilty to the murder of Pappa Georgi, cabled 011 April sth. He was sentenced to death. Wilson blamed the I. WAY. for making a criminal of him. Rua Perjury Trial. HAMILTON, March 21. The trial of the. natives on charges of perjury in connection with the Rua trial was* continued this afternoon in the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Sim. , Talm Mirewaro was arraigned on a charge that at the trial of Pukepuke Ka Wara on 29th. September 1916 he committed perjury by swearing to the effect that at Maungapoliatu on 2nd. April 1916 when at the place where Pukepuke Kawara picked up a gun Constable Skinner was not there and had. gone up the Gisborne track before the said Pukepuke Kawa'ra picked up the gun as aforesaid. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. In opening the case for the crown Air. Mays said it was inconceivable that the police had entered into an absolute and huge conspiracy in this matter. The New Zealand police force was a capable body of men able to hold up their head with any similar force in the world. Senior Sergeant Cassels was the first witness for the prosecution and his evidence supported what had been sworn by tlie Crown witnesses during the trial of Pukepuke at Auckland. Considerable skirmishes and argument during Mr. Lundou cross examination took place between Counsel. Mr. Mays' said they were again doing the long long trial of Rua’s Trial and were going into all ts bloodshed. His Honour reminded Air. Lundon that he had allowed him a good deal of latitude and the time of the jury and the public being wasted be would not permit the introduction of irrevelant matters/ by which the trial 'was likely to be prolonged. A Forgery charge. WELLINGTON, Alarcli2l st. The police to-niglu arrested a man said to be in tlie Government Service on a charge of forgery. The name is not divulged but it is understood that the man had about two thousand pounds in his possesion when arrested. He appears before the Court- on Thursday morning.