THE RUA CASE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1916, Page 5

THE RUA CASE

EVIDENCE (PROCEEDING By Telegraph.—Press Association. Rotorua, Yesterday. The Rua case is continufng. Constable Grant, cross-examined, said that he heard Inspector Cullen call to the police not to 'fne when Toko Rua ran away. He was certain that the police did not fire the first shot.

INSPECTOR CULLEN'S EVIDENCE. Rotorua, Last Night. Constable Grant stated that be was sure a Maori fired the first shot, and Inspector Cullen, when Rua rail away, told the police not to fire. Inspector Cullen stated that the police did not lire till fired on. When the firing began he appealed to Rua to stop it, without effect. The firing went on for 15 or 20 minutes, and witnes sagain appealed to Rua to stop it. After conversation with the Native women he went towards the firing, calling out in Maori that firing had ceased. Had Rua stopped it when first appealed to the lives of Toko Rua and Maipi would have teen saved, and some of the police would not have been wounded. At the beginning of the affray Rua called out I ''Putua."

There was considerable discussion as to the meaning of this term, the prosecution contending it mean "strike," or "hit," and the other side submitting it might mean "I am hit." Rua's case was adjourned until the next day, and the eases of the other Maoris were adjourned till Monday. The inquest on the slain Maoris was further adjourned till Tuesday,