MAGISTERIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2145, 30 July 1907, Page 1

MAGISTERIAL.

Monday, July 29.

Before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M.

■Drunkenness—-One first offender was fined ss, and costs, in default 24 hours imprisonment. Disorderly Conduct—A first offender was fined IQs and costs, in defhult 24 hours imprisonment. Drunkenness—Douglas Ferguson wa» charged with having been found drunk and was convicted and fined 10s and costs, in default 48 hours imprisonment. Charles Roy Stewart was also convicted of drunkenness and was fined 10s and costs, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment.

Procuring liquor.—Clias. Roy Stewart was further charged with having procured liquor during tho currency of a prohibition order. The accused pleaded guilty and was convicted and fined £5, with costs 2s, in default 30 days imprisonment.

Horse stealing.—Rangi Hotene was charged with the theft of one black mare, valued at £ls the property of one Napier Pani. The informant deposed that the accused came to him at Parihimanihi and asked for the loan of a horse. This was in February last, after the Gisborne Park races and before the Makaraka races. The accused wanted the horse to ride to Mangutu. Witness lent him a

black mare and he said lie would bring ‘her back on bis return from Mangatu. The mare was branded T on tlie off shoulder and had a white star on tlie forehead. Witness valued the animal at £2O. He next saw the accused at the Makaraka races and asked him whore the mr.ro was. Tlie accused replied that he had left

her at Te Karaka- and had come in by train. Witness saw the accused again on tlie following Saturday and told him jto return the mare to Tulioe as witness was leaving for Wanganui on the folowing day. He next saw accused at Wanganui and the latter said he had returned the mare to 'l'nhoe as requested. Witness returned to Gisborne in about 2 months time; and when ho next- saw the mare it was in tlie possession of Cornelius Neeiinn. He identified the mare

in the Court yard, as the one lie had lent to the accused. The accused had no authority to sell or to dispose of the mare in any way. To Mr. Mann.—Witness was in company with a native named Taipo when tlie accused asked witness for the mare. The accused had no horse with him. The accused arrived at Parihimanihi the day before lie asked witness for the mare. He rode a mare with a foal -at foot. He did not say- to accused that he would like the foal for his son. Did not make any offer to exchange the mare for the foal. The foal was left running with its mother but was not sold. It was not left in witness’ charge. He had not seen the foal since.

Tuhoe Te TJ.n deposed that lie lived at AVaikanae. He knew the informant and the accused. Was present during a conversation between them the day after the Malcaraka races. Napier said to the accused, “Where is my horse?” and the accused replied he had left it behind at the Ivaraka. Napier then told the accused to bring the horse in and give it to witness. The accused did not do so. John Thomas Cassidy stated he was a coach proprietor residing at Te Ivaraka. He knew the accused. On the 21st of February last the accused sold witness a black mare for £9 and was paid by cheque. AVitness disposed, of the mare after keeping her :or about a month to a man named Aiken, a liepherd at) AA'nikoliu. The mare shown outside the Court was the same one witness bought from accused.

Cornelius Neenan, a publican residing at Ormond; deposed to having purchased the mare in question from Aiken. On the 6t;h July witness exchanged with Aiken for another horse. The mare remained in his possession until Sunday, but had been claimed by Napier Pani 10 days before.

Constable Doyle, police constable, stationed at Te Ivaraka stated that on Friday last be told the accused that Napier Pani had complained that he (the accused) had sold a mare to Mr. Cassidy which lie should have returned. The accused re-, plied that he had sold the mare and wanted Napier to speak to him and would make it alright with him. The accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed, self in £SO and two sureties of £25 each.