TRIAL OF TE WHITI AND TOHU.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2702, 16 November 1881, Page 2

TRIAL OF TE WHITI AND TOHU.

The following is the short address Te Whiti made to the Court at New Plymouth yesterday morning“ It is very little I have to say about the land. It was finished some time ago with the King and the Governor. It was said the whole of the land belonged to the Government, We (the Natives) have been staying on the land ever since the war was over. We have been cultivating the land. We have not put food in to cause a quarrel: we have put in food for subsistence up to the present time. It is not my wish that evil should come to either of the tribes (or to races) ; my wish is for the whole of us to lire happily on the land. I have never wished to do evil or kill anyone up to the present time. My wish is for the whole of us to live happily on the land ; that is my wish. This is the way I addressed the Maori people. That is all I have to say.” The statement, taken down in Maori, was read over to Te Whiti, and he stated it was correct. The Crown prosecutor, Mr Standish, declined to address the Court. Te W hiti was committed for trial and the case against Tohu was proceeded with. The witnesses examined were Messrs Carrington and Messenger. They stated that Tohu spoke at the meeting of Sept. 17 saying, among other things—“ There is nothing strange to talk of to day; death (or distress) alone for both races. Listen to me. The survivors, and the prisoners, quarrel alone is the talk today. Be strong all of you; be brave, and do not be swallowed up. The wish of the pakeha is to swallow us up because we are few; we shall not be swallowed. Y’ou are not striving for a small piece of land, hut you are striving for all the land. Those who wish to fight oome here. All I have to say is quarrel, strike (or kill.)” Tohu declined to ask the first witness any questions, saying his case was the same as Te Whiti’s, and the statement made by Te Whiti would also apply to him. He asked Mr Messenger—Were you at the meeting of th 17th September? Witness —No. Tohu —Do you perfectly understand what land I alluded to in my speech ? Witness —I understood it was the confiscated land.

Tohu did not make any statement. The prisoners, on being asked to sign their names to the statement made by them, replied that they could not write. They were told to touch the pen while the cross was being made. Te Whiti did so without hesitation, but Tohu required some argument before he could be persuaded to comply with the request. Tohu was committed in the same manner as Te Whiti.