R. M. COURT, NAPIER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 218, 25 January 1865, Page 2

R. M. COURT, NAPIER.

(Before J. Curling, Esq., R.M.) MONDAY, JANUARY 23. criminal assault. James Bradshaw had given information on Friday to the police that a native had violated his wife in the neighborhood of Tareha’s Bridge. The case was now heard. From the evidence" it appeared that Bradshaw and the woman were on their way out of the town on the day in question. When near the bridge three natives overtook them, by name Petere, Hoani, and Tamati, all of Purimu, Meaneo Flat. Bradshaw was forcibly held by Petere while the offence was committed by Hoani, Tamati holding the horses. Bradshaw, a trooper named George Mayo, the woman herself, and other witnesses, gave evidence, direct or indirect, to the facts alleged ; and the three prisoners were committed for trial at the ensuing sitting of the Supreme Court. TUESDAY, JANUARY 24,1565. DISPUTED DEBT. F. Kennedy v. Sutton.-—A claim of £l, for bringing a horse off the Plains.—Judgment for 155., and costs (75.) divided. DEBT. Jeffarea v. Munro.—A claim of £l2 155., for goods supplied.—Paid into Court before hearing, with costs, 6s. ASSAULT. Te Waka v. Jeffares.—The complainant, an aboriginal native of Petane, charged Thomas Jeffares, a publican of Napier, with assaulting him on the evening of the 23rd inst. Te Waka, on oath, said Last night I went to defendant’s house. I gave him half-a-crown, and asked for a glass of brandy, which be gave me, and returned me 2s. change. I then asked him for a box of matches, and laid down a shilling. He produced a round box, and put it on the counter. I then asked him to give me two other boxes and 6d. change to make it right. He said, “No, no,” and called out something to his wife, who ran up and took away the shilling from beside the box. I again asked for the other boxes and the change, and defendant ordered me out. I then went out. He then came from behind the counter, and followed me into the verandah, and struck me on the neck with a metal pipe. (Plaintiff here showed a cut on his neck caused by the blow.) The plaintiff then produced another Maori witness, who stated that he was present at the time, and that what To Waka had said was quite true. Thomas Jeffares, on oath, said :—Walker and another Maori came into my house last night and bought a box of matches, and laid a shilling on the counter, and I gave sixpence change. I do not sell matches, and if any person buys a box I charge sixpence for them. They lit their pipes, and then wanted me to "give them more matches or else take them back. Walker said he would tell the Superintendent, and became very bounceable. He aggravated me till I turned him out into the verandah. He followed me back into the bar, put himself into a fighting attitude, and again threatened that he would toll the Superintendent. My wife never had anything to do with him all the time. I took a piece of a sapling, about fit. long, hut did not strike him with it. I merely pushed it against his head. He went away, and I saw no more of him till this morning. I was in the back shed, when ray wife came and told me that the Maori was back again, taking the things out of the Jjar. 1 went round the house, and saw that he had a piece of piping, about seven or eight

feet long, which he was carrying away with him. I had some difficulty in getting it from him. Afterwards he came in and again challenged me to fight. I did not go near him, but told him to go away, and I did not see him again until now. My summons required my attendance forthwith, or I would have brought witnesses who were present at the time, and can substantiate every word I have said.

Case remanded until to-day, to enable Mr. Jeffares to produce witnesses.