Police Court.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 2, 2 July 1897, Page 2

Police Court.

At the Police Court, Feildiag, yesterday afternoon, Teiete Turanga, an aboriginal native was charged with stealing a sheep, the property of Mr J. Saunders, on June 21, at Awahuri. The presiding justices were Messrs H. L. Sherwill and J. C. Thompson. Mr A. S. Baker, who appeared for the accused, pleaded that he (the accused) was of unsound mind and was not responsible for bia actions. In support of ibis contention, Mr Baker called Dr Johnston, who deposed tbat he had examined the accused and found he wai not eoynpot mentis. Harry Hughes also gay* evidence to the effect that accused's actions were those wbioh indicated insanity, and that accused had been in his present state since the information had been laid. Constable Tuoby, for the prosecution, asked that the accused be examined by another medical man and if found insane he should be sent to the asylum. The Bench aereed that it was desirable to have farther medical evidence and Dr Charlton was sent for to examine accused. After be bad done so Dr Charlton certified tbat the accused was physically and mentally weak. The charge of sheep stealing was, therefore, withdrawn and the aocused was committed to the asylum.