HARE MATENGA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2070, 23 December 1907, Page 1

HARE MATENGA

AGAIN BEFORE THE COURT. A FURTHER REMAND. Haro Mateuga was brought up on remand on (Saturday morning charged with the theft of a silver watch and chain, silver locket and gold pendant, the property of Alfred Brothers of Motu. Mr H. J. Finn appeared for accused, and Detective Maddern conducted the prosecution. Charles Robert ißroberg, detective, stated that in company with Constable Skinner lie saw the accused on the 18tli inst. at the Ercpiti pa on the lluakituri rver about 05 miles from Gisborne. Accused was then amongst a number of other natives, and witness took him -asido and asked his name. This accused gave as Taeri, and said lie had come from Mangapouata. In answer to a question accused denied lie was Matonga. On being searched a silver watch and chain and .the other articles mentioned in tliecliargo were found in his possession, and accused then admitted his identity; and stated that the articles had- been taken by him from a camp at- Motu on the day previous to the da 3- lie was chased -and fired at. To Mr Finn: Accused was very much excited when tlio party first arrived, but was not so at the time of arrest. Accused had made some statement at the time of his arrest about a native policeman going to shoot him, and explained that that- was the original reason he took to the bush. Witness also said that alter accused was assured, that ho was not going to bo shot he -gave no trouble whatever and told the truth to the arresting party. Witness could not remember -accused asking on his arrest when his wife had been shot. - Arthur Skinner, constable, of 'Wellington, corroborated the evidence of tho last witness, and in reply to Mr. Finn, for the defence, stated that lie did not hear accused ask when his wifo had been shot. This concluded the evidence for filio prosecution, and by .agreement a remand was granted until the- 28th -inst. The other charge of stealing a gun, pair of boots, and a pocket-book was then taken, and Detective Brokers stated- that when lie asked accused where he had got the gun • which he had left with Hukanui at Waima pa, -accused stated- that it belonged to 1-is brother and that lie (laccused) had brought it from Mangapouata. On -being further questioned accused admitted having taken the gun -from a camp at the Motu. The other articles alleged to have been stolen were also -found in bis possession. A remand was also granted in this case until December 28tli.