COURT, CAMBRIDGE. Yesterday.—(Bofore Mr H. W. Northcroft, R.M.)

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1658, 20 February 1883, Page 4

COURT, CAMBRIDGE. Yesterday.— (Bofore Mr H. W. Northcroft, R.M.)

The Ngatikawhata Forcible Entry , 1 1 1 sv « » / CaßQt / • . ' ' His Worship took bis seat upon the > Pench at 10 o|clock. Referring to the above case, m which the prosecution closed on Thursday last?, Htis Worship, said lie had looked through the evidence, aiul he' considered there was something for the accused to answer to. Mr Walker would be required to put in his title deeds. It was only failthat the accused should show thpfd was no assault committed as' deposed' to by the informant's witnesses. •Mr Grace proceeded to make a statement to the Court, on the accused being called on for the defence. No case, he considered"; had been made out of the whole of the informant's evidence, being merely a series of contradictions. Every witness had differed from the other witnesses in more ways than cue since the opening of the case, though giving testimony on the same matter. This fact was mote rcmaikable m regard to the testimony of the first four witnesses, who apparently had not time to compare their evidence one with, { the other. The last witnesses coincided more, as they had been able as the case proceeded to compare their evidence during the adjournments. In the reasons they had given for leaving the whare they had almost all differed. One stated that they had all left after the roof of the whurc had been destroyed. This witness had said the rain was the cause of their leaving the wharc. Tapa had said they had left just as the work of destruction was over. Puke had stated ',hat the Europeans had all gone uwr"jco the zinc house, and none of them wcnyibout when they came out of the Mine Whakatutu had stated HHrwbeu the came out she saw Maoris Hftbout but no white men. They also flittered as to the icason they left the house. Some said they had left through fear, and others that it was laimng. They all admitted it was raining at the time they went out of the u hare, and further said that whilst in the wliaie they were dieadfully fnghtencd on account of the sounds piodnccd by the pnkcha's axes. If that wcic the case lie Mould .say, they would have left immediately, and not have waited until the work was over and it had commenced to rain. On this point they had been closely examined, and it was evident from their answers they had never left the whare through few. He would also point out to the Court that this case had not been bi ought against them} like any other ordinary case. One case had been brought against them and had been decided to the .satisfaction of the prosecution, and they weie now going on with those other cases not for the sake of justice but merely foi the sake of persecuting them (the accused). They had been charged with using lorce, and in fact with showing malice. The malice and spleen were, lie contended, shown by the other side. One witness had admitted the icason they had charged Chailcs Walker was because he had poisoned their dogs and impounded their horses. They alsoadinittcd there weic other influences behind their backs helping them in the pi execution, and urging them on. A question of title was then raised, and discussed by the counsel and the Bench. Mr Grace, on behalf of the accused, said he would proceed to call evidence to show that no assault had been committed as alleged. Arthur B. Stubbing, surveyor, was called, and deposed to lia\ ing been at the Mangapiko settlement on the 17th Nov. last. Saw the roof oi a whare at Mangapiko taken oft', None of the Maoris weie handled roughly, and lie did not see any assault committed. Tlieie was no intimidation used by any of Mr Walkei'b party. The natives never appealed frightened or much concerned as to what was going on. The native women weie not frightened, but instead weie smoking cigars which he (witness) had given them. [Left Sitting.]