Untitled

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1173, 16 November 1871, Page 2

We have to acknowledge the receipt of a large instalment of Parliamentary Papers. J. B Fielder, Esq., has been appoint ed Deputy Registrar of Deeds for the Hawke's Bay Deeds Registration District. The resignation of the commission held by Lieut. W. H Thorp in the Wairoa Rifle "Volunteers has been ac eepted by his Excellency the Governor. The members of the Napier Rifle Volunteers paraded in Olive Square yesterday at 6.15 p.m. The muster was vQ)\-y good, though many members arrived rather late. The corps were put through the manual exercise, after which a long letter from the Defence office was read, announcing that the capitation allowance had been reduced to £2 per annum per man, and that the amount granted for that purpose for the ensuing year was calculated according to the present strength of the Volunteer companies. Prizes for drumming (competed for at the picnic on the Ist November) were awarded to John Mogridge, N.R.V. Band, and J. M.orley and J. Martin, of the Cadet Band, with a few words of encouragement from Capt. Robinson. The captain also re marked that as a quarter past 6 seemed to be understood as a quarter to 7, the parade next Wednesday evening would take place at 6 o'clock—We think this rather an inconvenient hour, especially for members residing at the Port. In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, Mr R. P. GifFard, of Waitangi, was charged by Mr Scully, (on behalf of the Provincial Government) with wilful and malicious damage to property. Mr Lee appeared for the defendant. It was shown that there was a dispute between Mr Giffard and the Government as to the title to a paddock at the Waitangi. The Government some months ago placed cattle and horses in (he paddock and padlocked the gate. Mr Giffard broke the padlock and impounded the cattle The Government paid fees and damages, under protest, and sent the cattle back, to the paddock, putting another lock on the gate. Mr Giffard took a v\itue>s with him and broke this also, at the same time expressing his determination to break as many looks as the Government chose to put on. The damage complained of consisted in breaking the locks.—Mr Lee said that the eu*e was beyond the jurisdiction of the Court. The question of Mr Giffard's right to break the lock involved the whole question of the title, to the land, which the Supreme Court only could settle Mr Giffard had taken legitimate means to resist tiespass on his properly, and would continue to act in a similar manner till the matter vas settled.--Mr Wilson said that Mr Giffard, if be had aqy claim, should have supported it in a proper manner by an action for trespass. As it was, he had a?ted in a manner calculated to provoke personal collision, such as had happened recently at the Thames. It was to put a stop to such acts of violence that the present action was brought.—Mr Lee said the matter was one for the Supreme Court, but Mr GifFard had no intention of entering that Court as a plaintiff'. The Government were in a better position to appeal to the law than he was. —On the application of Mr Lee, the case was adjourned, to allow of the presence of Mr Ormond, a material witness. i