HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 367, 23 October 1878, Page 2

HAWERA.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) October 21. Only two cases were heard at the R.M. Court to-day. Constable Crozier v Samuel Ross for being drunk and disorderly on the 7th. The defendant was fined 10s and costs, or 24 hours imprisonment. In the second case, John Winks v W. Sutton to recover possession of a bullock detained by defendant, the evidence was very conflicting. Plaintiff swore to having purchased the bullock from Mr Riddiford, and after keeping it some considerable time, was driving it with some others one morning to his slaughter yard, when being a very wild auimal it broke away from them, and was seen by Mr Goodson to return and break into Mr Riddiford’s paddock. Some time after, plaintiff discovered it on defandant’s run, who refused to deliver it up. Witnesses were called by plaintiff, who swore to its being the same bullock as was lost when driving to the slaughter yards. On the other hand, Mr Riddiford, who had had the bullock in Ins possession for about three years, swore that he had never sold it to plaintiff, but one very much resembling it. The Magistrate decided that the evidence of the owner, who had seen the bullock constantly for three years, was sufficient to out-weigh that of those who had only hail opportunities of seeing it a few times, and accordingly gave judgment for defendant with costs. Last week we were treated to a visit from the great American Conjuror—Professor Do Chile—who drew an audience of about eighteen people to witness one of the lowest theatrical swindles ever attempted, I should say, on any stage. It is a pity but the police had honored Idm with an introduction to the R.M., who might have taught him that his only clever trick of drawing money from the pockets of his audience was not sufficient to entitle him to travel the country as a professional conjuror. Many inquiries are being made as to what has become of our Town Band. It appears that the instruments were ordered from Melbourne some months ago, and word was sent that they were on the way. They have, however, not as yet turned up, the laste-t account of them being that they are detained in Wanganui until lire duty has been paid. Should such he the case, they will no doubt be immediately released, and we may shortly be treated to the usual unertrthlysounds produced by all practising beginners. As a sample of the price to which land has reached in this Township, I may mention that Mr Furlong lias purchased a frontage from Mr J. M. Byrne at the rale of £5 a foot, and has also succeeded in purchasing the whole of the sections lately cut up by Mr W. Douglas ; and I have no doubt, but in a few years, they will amply repay him for bis plnckj’ venture. I have just been informed that Mr Davidson has refused an offer of £SOOO for his business in Hawera.