THE REBEL PRISONERS.

Southland Times, Issue 1142, 6 October 1869, Page 3

THE REBEL PRISONERS.

Our (D. S. Cross) "Wellington correspondent, writing on the 2nd instant, says : — The criminal session of the Supreme Court commenced yesterday. The most important case for trial is that of three Hauhaus from Napier, participators in the Poverty Bay Massacre, who are to be tried for high treason under the Treason Felony Act. Mr Justice Johnson made a most elaborate charge to the Grand Jury in reference to this case, laying down the law most learnedly in regard to treason, and declaring most emphatically that, whatever private opinions the jury might entertain as to the original occupation of this colony by Europeans and as to the position of the native race, they were bound by law to hold that the Maories and all other people of whatever race or nation were, while living in New Zealand, bound to give to her Majesty the duty of subjects, and were guilty of treason if they rose in arms against her authority. Even in the case of a civil war — and the present disturbances did not reach that character — belligerents rights could not under any circumstances be allowed to the natives. The Grand Jury found a true bill against the prisoners, and the Crown has undertaken to provide counsel for their defence. They are to be brought up to plead on the 20th instant. This is a most important trial, and will be watched with great interest. Mr Travers will probably hold the brief for the defence.