RUA AS WITNESS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 15 July 1916, Page 8

RUA AS WITNESS.

NEVER HOSTILE TO PAKEHA.

WHY HE ASSUMED ROLE OF TOHUNGA.

Per I'ross Association. Auckland, July 12

The concl ml in g stage of the Rua trial was cnucred upon to-day. Rua entered the witness Ijox at midday. At first he gave Ids answers quietly, speaking softly in a light voice, which contrasted strongly with the speech of other native witnesses. As his examination proceeded, how 'vev, he livened np, and gate his ans.vers quickly, accompanying them occas.onally by rapid gestures. Mr London stated that it had been alleged that the witness had claimed that lie was the “Holy Ghost.” Witness: “It is correct, as far as it goes, that i uttered the words ‘1 am

the Holy Ghost*; but then the Holy Ghost is in each of us.”

I “Have you ever set up as a tohimga or a prophet?”—“l have as a toll unga.” “In what respect?”-—“ln order to conduct affairs as they should lie con- ) ) ducted; to do good work. “In what direction ” —“For guidance within one’s heart, and guidance to work the land; for the workings of one’s inner conscience; for repentance. One should show for his evil deeds for his proper conduct m life.” RESPECT FOR ROYAL FAMILY. “Have you ever made any fed rations hostile to the GovcrnmenU-as a Government or the pakelia as a race?” —“Xo. From my youth upwards i have uttered no words against the Government or against the European.” “Have you ever made any utterance giving expression hostile to His Majesty the King of England?” “No. i have always appreciated the goodness of his grandmother, and from her downwards 1 have had nothing else but respect for the Royal Family.” ' “Have you ever suggested, stated, or inferred that you would be either King or Kaiser of New Zealand?”— “Never.” HAD NO ARMED BODYGUARD. The witness denied having an armed bodyguard. He was accompanied . on his journeys by his wives, whom ho had situated in various homes. The homes wore ranged over the Tnhoi district of 11,000 acres, lands which had been occupied by the original Maoris who came across the waters in the canoe Matatua. Witness now had supremo authority over the district. RECORD IN NEW ZEALAND COURTS. AMUSING LEGAL PASSAGES. 1 i Auckland, July 13. The Rua trial entered upon the thirtieth day to-day. At the outset Mr Justice Chapman said; “Well, gentlemen, I think we may say that we have established a record so far as a trial in New Zealand is concerned, i i once had a similar case which lasted 1 twenty-eight days, but I don’t know of a longer. I can only once- again express my sympathy with you. Wo are a hand of martyrs, and should remain such for the rest of our lives.” (Smiles in the jury box.) The Crown Prosecutor; “I hope we may share in the sympathy, Your Honour.” (Laughter.)

His Honour (to the jury): “All we can say, gentlemen, is that the end is in sight; but wo arc not there yet.”

Counsel for the defence: “I may say that I did my best to prevent tin; case from coming to Auckland.”

His Honour: “I don’t know that it would have been any better for the country to have submitted the case to a company of dairy farmers. I don’t know what the cows would have thought.” Mr London; “The cows are on strike until August.” Rna continued his evidence, but owing to haemorrhage of the nose an adjournment was necessary, and later, as Rua was again suffering from the trouble, the case was adjourned until to-morrow.

During his evidence, the “Prophet” told of events at Wai-iti on February 12th, the occasion of the alleged uttering of seditious language. He said he wanted the police to take the initiative, and quietly holding out his hands, told them to arrest him. He did not say anything in criticism of Mr Dyer, S.M. Later Rua took up his narrative at the point where the Hon. A. T. Ngata, as Parliamentary representative of the Eastern Maoris, visited M.aungapohatu. Prisoner told Mr Ngata,that the rumours of his fortifications, of his cannons, and of his I machine-guns were all lies. In connection with the 1911 and 1915 “sly grog” charges, he had already paid a fine of £IOB, and served a sentence of three months in Auckland Gaol. Mr Ngata said: “Stay where you are. 1 have a further scrutiny made, and will carry your papers to Wellington, whatever the result I will communicate with you.” Mr Ngata wrote to him on March 13th, but the letter did not contain any reference to the fine of £IOB which 1m had paid.