SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2650, 4 October 1882, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

OEIMINAD SITTINGS. Tuesday, Ootobeb 3. [Before hia Honor Mr Justice Johnston.] The following oases were disposed of yesterday after wo -went to press:— INDECENT ASSAULT, Tepsne Te Arowhitu was indicted for committing this offence at the Chatham Islands on the person of a girl named Maki Piripi on the 166 h June last. The prisoner pleaded “Not Guilty,” and was defended by Mr Joyce ; Mr Duncan prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. Piripo XJiho deposed that ho lived at Mann* kau at the Chatham Islands. Prisoner and witness’s daughter, Maki, eleven years of age, lived in the house with him. Oa the 15th June ho went to Tarotu’s hours and returned home at about seven o’clock in the evening. When he opened the door ho saw the prisoner assaulting Maki. Cross- examined by Mr Joyce—The land on which hia house stood was a reserve belonging to the prisoner end others ; but the house was his. Ha was a Maori, but the prisoner was a Moriori. The Maoris and Morioris were friendly now. He knew of no intermarriages at the present time. Topene denied having committed tho offence. To his Honor—l started the prosecution. The case was heard by Mr Deighton, the Resident Magistrate, Maki Pirifi deposed to an assault having been committed by the prisoner. Horomona (Solomon), who was present when tho prisoner was accused, corroborated the evidence of Pirifi as to Maki’s statement that Tepeno had assaulted her. This was the ease for the prosecution. Mr Joyce having addressed the jury, his Honor summed up. The jury retired to consider their verdict, and after a short absence returned into Court with a verdict of “ Not guilty.” His Honor, in ditobarging the prisoner, said bo thought it right to say publicly that whatever might be the merits of the case—and it was not a very serious one—it was quite unnecessary to send it up to New Zealand to be tried. It could easily have been disposed of at the Chatham Islands by the local Magistrate. He would suggest to the Crown Prosecutor that it might bo desirable to communicate with the Department of Jnstioo with the view of having some investigation as to why such a case aa this had been sent up. Mr Duncan said ho had done so, but as all the witnesses and the parties were here he thought it hi duty to proceed with the case, LABOENY PBOM TDK PBBSON. Matilda Hausen was indicted for stealing from Thomas Maguire one purse, containing £6 10s, on the 22nd August last. The prisoner pleaded not guilty, end was defended by Mr Joyce ; Mr J. O. Martin conducted the prosecution. Thomas Maguire, a laborer, deposed that ho saw the prison r at the house of Mrs Thomson, at Sydenham, at about nine o’clock on the morning of tho 22nd August. He gave her half a sovereign to get a bottle of brandy with, Ha bad also in tho puree a one pound note, a five pound note, and half & sovereign. Ho know that tho purse produced was his. The brandy was procured, and witness and the others finished it, but he was not drunk. He afterwards wont to Mrs Hansen’s house, where she ar.ked him to shout. Ha took out hia pmee, and ohe snatched it out of his hand, and went down tho street. This was about four o’clock in the afternoon. Cross-examined by Mr Joynt—Hod been on the spree for a couple of days. Went to sleep as soon as ho got to Mrs Hansen’s, but woke up at two o’clock and had some tea. At about three o’clock be counted the mosey

in hia parse, and found it to contain £6 lOi. He remained at Mrs Hansen's home un.il about five o’clock, when her husband cane home and turned him out. Did not thre w hi, money about in Mrs Hansen’*, and was sure that a woman did not pick up a £5 note and put it back into hi* purse. Margaret Thomson corroborated the evidence of the prosecutor as to what took plf.ee at her house. She knew he had a£s note in his purse when ho went away with Mrs Hansen, She saw him at Mrs Hansel's house in the afteruooon; ho was under the influence of drink. The prisoner’s husbard was a respectable man, and witneso’a landlord. Was not annoyed with Mra Hansen, aud did not make any threat, Paulina Anstcnsen, o married woman living at Sydenham, gave corroborative evidence. Charles Wra. Brooks, sergeant of police, deposed to the arrest of the prisoner. Frederick Henry Bowler, son of the licensee of the Waltham Hotel, deposed that at about half-past five o’clock on the 23rd August the prisoner purchased a bottle of brandy at the hotel, She gave a£s note, and received £4 14s 6d change. Catherine Walsh, female searcher at the gaol, deposed that she found the purse produced in the piisocer’s stocking, and handed it to Sergeant Brooks. This was the case for the prosecution. Mr Joyce addressed the jury, and his Honor summed up the evidence. The jury returned a verdict of “Guilty.” The prisoner was sentenced to imprisonment, with hard labor, for six months. This was the last case in the calendar. The Court adjourned at 6.5 p.m. until Monday next at 11 s.m.