"COMIC OPERA" IN COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1142, 1 June 1911, Page 4

"COMIC OPERA" IN COURT.

I A "FARCE" THAT COST JC3I 18s. (By Tolcßraph,—Special Correspondent.! Auckland, May 31. "This should be niado a comic opewl, for the amusement of law clerks," smilingly observed Mr. Justice Edwards, as a case was being unfolded by the Crown at tho Auckland Supremo Court this morning. A well-built, middle-aged Maori, Hcmi Kongo, was brought, down from Rotorua to answer a chargo of tho theft of a pair of braces and trousers from the dwelling of Mrs. Corbett on March 13 last. It was disclosed in evidence that the Maori was an old friend of tho latu Mr. Corbett, and a frequent visitor to tho house, being often the recipient of gifts of worn-out clothing and such-like. On tho dato mentioned, Mrs. Corbett had gone out, leaving tho door of the house unfastened, and on returning she found Rongo in tho kitchen pulling a pair of trousers on over tho ouea ho was wearing. Sho ordered him out of the house, and went into another room. Going back to tho kitchen, Rongo had pulled tho second pair of trousers off, and, putting them over his arm, walked out iof„ther house. When the trousers were missed the police were informed, and a warrant was issued for tho accused's arrest, though ho was an old resident of Rotorua. On the occasion of tho alleged theft, Rongo was slightly drunk, but had left his wagon, with his wife, drawn up in front of the house. "What is tho value of these interesting articles that will cost the country between JISO and JCGO?" asked his Honour of ii. W. Corbett, tho owner of the stolon trousers.Witness: About XI. When the arresting constable stated that 1 a warrant was issued, his Honour sternly | inquired if there was any reason why | tho man was not summoned. "I acted on instructions from the sorgeant," replied the constable. His Honour remarked that it appeared to bo useless to refer to the abuse or warrants. He had mentioned the matter time after time. "Do you want to continue this farce, gentlemen P" his Honour asked, turning to the jury, after, tho evidence for the prosecution had concluded. "Of course, you can seo these proceedings are farcical absolutely." He went on, and mentioned that tho cost to the country would amount to .£3l 18s. Tho offence had been put before tho magistrate as an indictable ono, but the prisoner could readily havo been charged with common theft. If theft at all it was in law theft from a dwelling, but not as contemplated by the statute. It was also breaking and entering at law, and it was a wonder that section of tho Act had not also been proceeded under. To bring the Maori down to Auckland was a complete wast? of public money. Ho did not believe there were twelve men in New Zealand who would convict a prisoner of theft on such evidence as that P TTerdi'ct of "Not guilty" was returned bv tho jury, and accused was discharged. Mr Reed appeared for the defence.