INDECENT ASSAULT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1086, 22 August 1912, Page 2

INDECENT ASSAULT.

THK MOTUITI CASK

HINGAWAKA NOT GMILTY.

At the Palmerston sittings of the Supreme Court last Tuesday, before Mr Justice Chapman, Hingawaka Tuparoa, the reputed tohuuga, was tried on a charge of indecent assault upon an invalid native girl at Motuiti. Details of the alleged , offence have already appeared in these columns.

The case excited keen interest among the Maoris, large numbers ol whom filled the Court and congregated about the grounds. Doctor Adams said the young girl had been suffering from phthisis, cellulitis, and other complications, and had since died. Prior to her death he had examined her, but found no proof of interference.

The depositions of the girl, taken at Foxtou before her death, were read, and in them she complained that the accused interfered with her. r

The girl’s mother gave evidence relating to the accused’s association with the family, aud of the girl’s complaint against accusedTeira Hotereni and Louisa Heta (sister of the deceased) also gave evidence, aud the case tor the prosecution was concluded.

Dr. Martin was the first witness called by the accused’s counsel, Mr Cooper. He said that his examination of the girl afforded no evidence that there had been, or had not been, any interference. She alleged to him that the accused bad violated her. To His Honour: He knew it as a recorded fact that patients advanced in disease sometimes had sexual hallucinatious.

The accused, Hingawaka Tuparoa, gave evidence denying the charge. To Mr Loughnan : He possessed plenty of money. He rented 500 acres of bush laud, and received a half share in 10s per acre royalty for the limber catting. He did not take liquor to the pah, his hosts provided all that was necessary.

Mr Loughnan : Are you a tohunga ?—I have occult powers. If something has bewitched a patient, I can, by my occult powers, discover it.

Dr. Stowe gave evidence as to his examination of the girl, and her allegations against the accused. He knew a little of the Maori language, having practised among natives for some time, aud he used some Maori words in questioning the girl. It was on record that sexual hallucinations had accompanied a .diseased condition, but he did not put it forward as an explanation in this case. The jury, after 20 minutes’ retirement, returned a verdict of not guilty, aud the accused was discharged.