Trial of the Native Obstructionists.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4460, 21 April 1883, Page 1 (Supplement)

Trial of the Native Obstructionists.

Atckland, April 6. The Court was crowded yesterday— several ladies were present—during the trial of the native obstructionists. The prosecution was conducted by Messrs Williamson and Hesketb, and Mr Earl defended, owing to Mr Sheehan's inability to be present. Mr Bryce attended. Mahuki, when aßked to plead, said," A man who has a lame leg cannot hold it up." His manner was thoughtful, and after a few moments delay he said, " I am not able to answer that word." The plea recorded was "Not guilty." Mahuki wanted to plead for the other prisoners, who could not be got to plead tor some time; they subsequently gave the noncommitting reply to the questions put to them, " I hare nothing to say." Mr Hursthouse was examined, and detailed the outrage as previously published.

Mr Hesketh called the attention of the Court to the fact that Mr Earl was acting as connael for the defence in rather a doubtful kind of way, and suggested that the natires be asked if that gentUman appeared for them in accordance with their desire.

Mr Earl said he had conferred with his clients, but was unable to obtain any explicit answers from them; they apparently did not recognise him as acting on their behalf.

The Court asked Mahuki if Mr Earl was I understood by them to be acting on their behalf, and he answered that the Judge, jury, and counsel were Europeans, and he being a natire did not want to be represented by the counsel. The other natires when asked the same question remained silent. The prisoners were then told that the appointment of counsel to appear for them was an act on their behalf, and if they neglected to arail themselres of it, any consequenoe arising would be of their doing. Mahuki, who appeared to be accepted by the whole of the prisoners as spokesman, replied : " I hare nothing to say. I am a Maori, and the lawyer is a European. I did the wrong, and I hare been I brought here for it. I hare no wish to I erads the punishment, or to shift the onus on my account, upon any one else. | If it is for my good that the lawyer ap- I pears, let him do so; if it is for my eril, | let him do so;—I am a dog in my j master's house." i I When informed that the counsel required no fees on account of his appear* ! anoe for the prisoners, Mahuki answered that a slare chief had no power to gire authority for anyone to appear. Tbe Judge remarked: It ia quite clear that counsel cannot appear without the assent of the prisoners, and hpwerer much I should like to hare Mr Earl act for the defence in this case I cannot-rule otherwise. It would be a considerable relief to me to hare him act for them, for when prisoners are unrepresented by counsel it becomes the^duty of the Judge to protect their interests as far as he can, and tha duty is a difficult one in a case of this sort. Mahuki has shown rery clearly that he declines to gire any authority for the lawyer to appear 'for him ; all I can do is this, that I should be rery glad for Mr Karl to continue his serrices by. watching the case for the prisoners rather than by acting as counsel for them. That is to say that he should assist in so far as points of law are concerned, tearing the prisoners to undertake the cross-examination themselres. it seems to me the only position he can take up. He will thus act as amicut curia, urging in prisoners's farour any matter of law that he can. I do not see any other cause after the prisoners hare refused the assistance proffered them by gorernment. Mr Newsham and Te Wetere gare similar evidence to that giren by them at the preliminary.enquiry, and the prisoners were found guilty. Sentence was deferred until the remaining case against them are disposed of.

: The Jury returned a' verdict of guilty against Mabuki and His followers, for the assault on Mr AuMn, storekeeper, and acquitted them on the cha ge of riot at Alex* andn. The other charges were withdrawn ]M||gflM«t^ro«ecutbr. .Mahuki and Timi 12 months with wnTeT^aenverec^fl^^^^WroiJ^^^ntt the annual meeting of the Auckland Sundayschool Union on the 3rd inst. in St. James' Hall. Mr Taiwhai's address was quite spontaneous. Ha was introduced to the meeting by the Chairman, Mr J. C. Firth. G. R. Taiwhai is a son of H. M. Taiwbai, M.H.R. He spoke as follows: —Mr Chairman and Frionds, —I am ex* ceedingly glad this evening for what I have got (a certificate of merit in the Sunday-school examination. Some of my young friends may say, " You are a big fellow, and you ought to hard got a better prize." My dear friends, I must tell you that this certificate which I hold in my hand gives me more happiness that if £20 or £100 were put into my hand. (Lond applause) I may explain to you the. reason why I am so glad because I have got this. I got this because of the Sunday school Uaion. You know that about 40 or 50 years ago this islaud had no religion, no God, and no Jesus ; but the ministers of the Gospel came out and preached the Gospel to us natives- lamof a different colour to you, but in taking this certificate I have united with the white faces under the banner of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Applause.) Perhaps it may seem funny for me, who have only won a certificate, to stand up and speak, but it seems to me that this certificate tells .me something. Dear friends—girls and boys —we are taught to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to walk in the ways whice He has shown unto us, and He has led us to fight against strong drink. (Applause ) 'Now, perhaps, some of you may say that fighting against strong drink is not in the certificate, but I

gay it is, because we are taught to love the Lord Jesus Christ and to fight against strong drink ; for, you know that some Christian people have been led away by strong drink, and I say, therefore, let us boys and girls fight against strong drink. My father was a man who was fond of drink, and he us id to waste most of his lands and money in strong drink. Being a chief, and the leader of his people, when they |saw him doing wrong, they were led to drink too. I told him he was

doing wrong, and acting against the Holj I Bible. We once went into the town of Hokianga, and he went into the hotel and got drank, and I felt sorry because he would not listen to me. I cried, and told him to get on bis horse. ' I then took hold of the bridle of the horse and led, him "t»tq the bush where he oould I not get an^HMb to|d him the drink

would ruin, him, hit and hii people. He then taid he would give up the drink, which he did, and afterwards became a rery thoughtful man. He went up to the House (of Representatires) and did some good for his countrymen. I say ; , the same to you boys and girls—all be ''■'•'* united to fight against the deril and against this strong drink." (Loud applause.) The abore report of Tawhai's speech is giren almost in the precise 1 words he used. , Tawhai receired an f > English education at the Grammar School, and attends the Ponsonby Wesleyan Sunday School. '■ ■ :