RANGITIKEI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 28, 9 January 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

RANGITIKEI.

Resident Magistrate's court. —Major Durlo, R. M., come out on Friday, the 13th inst., and had ho following case brought before him. He was assisted by Aperahama a Typae, a native assessor, Wi Pukapuka, another native assessor, declined sitting on the bench from fear of offending the Ngatiapa tribe. Ropata summoned Piripi, Topme, Pauapa, and Kawana Hunia for £l2 the price of a cow, which they had taken from him by force. His case has already been referred to in our columns. It will be remembered that the plaintill s brother, Hamuera, was summoned in due form in the name of King Matutaere, to the Runanga for the debt of £l, and that as he did not appear, the King’s magistrates seized a cow and calf the joint property of plaintiff and his brother, and sold them at public Auction by warrant of the Runanga, for £5 10s. to pay the debt and costs. Ihe plaintiff’s object was to recover the price of the abstracted property. Ropata swore to these facts. Hamuera gave evidence to the same effect, and said that if the women to whom he owed the 18s had summoned him to the Resident Magistrate’s Court he would have paid the debt. Horace Broughton said on oath, that as constable he had gone to Pakapakatea Pa on Saturday, the 30th November, to serve summonses on the defendants. He met governor Hunia, who on being asked wliere the other defendants were, said he knew where they all were, but wished to know what was wanted with them. Deponent told him and gave him his summons ; on which he snatched the others out of his hand, and ordered him out of the pa directly, daring him to return with any more summonses. Deponent endeavoured to get back the summonses, but m vain. Hunia also abused the Resident Magistrate and interpreter. None of the defendants were in court and judgement was giving for £lB. It may be mentioned that Kunia (who is a chief of Ngatiapa and a natative assessor) came to the outside of the Court House and said that so long as they had a King they could not answer the Queen’s summonses. If the King was put down, then these summonses would be attended to. —Wanganui Chronicle , December 19.