THE MAHIA MURDER.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 346, 3 September 1889, Page 3

THE MAHIA MURDER.

THE VERDICT NOT YET KNOWN. Napier, last night. The trial of Makaore Waata, on the charge of murdering Robert Gollan, has not been concluded yet. Mr Octterill, for the prose* action, and Mr Dick, for the prisoner, ad dressed the jury to day. The latter finished at a quarter past five, and the Court adjourned for dinner. On resuming at a quarter past Seven His Honor the Chief Justice summed up and bad not concluded at 8 o'clock when the telegraph office closed for Gisborne mauages.

There was really no fresh evidence elicited during the trial. In cross-examination the boy Beihana asserted that Makoare, after the shots had been fired, came back to the gate where he (witness) was waiting with the horses; did not see him coming from the The moon was just rising. —Mr Dick "pointed out the inconsistency of the witness's statement. In the B.M, Court he had stated that it was a dark night and he could not see Makoare coming from the house, while now he stated that the moon was just rising.— After his two statements being pointed out, the witness admitted what he said in the R.M. Court was the correct version.—To His Honor: After they had left the place, and they had gone a short distance, he turned round, and saw Gollan’s house in flames.— When Arona was being examined counsel asked him if he knew that Meehi had been fined by a native committee for false statements, having accused a person of stealing boots, which charge was not substantiated.— Some discussion ensued between counsel and His Honor as to the relevancy of the question, His H onor contending that counsel practising in ths Supreme Court should not raise questions which he conld not support. Could counsel in this instance support his contention?—Mr Dick desired to test Meehi’e character and credibility, and surely he could ask the question ?—His Honor alllqwed the question to be asked, and the witness stated that Meehi was fined by the native committee for false statements.