R.M's COURT-GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 123, 17 January 1874, Page 2

R.M's COURT-GISBORNE.

.... Tuesday-, January 13, 1874. [Before W. K. Nesbitt, Esq., R.M.] REGINA V. SAUNDERS — RECEIVING GRASS SEED. Examination of witnesses continued. < • Hugh Campbell, sworn states : I have been cutting grass seed for Mr. Hooper. I was at Saunders’ house until 2 o’clock on the morning of the 6th January; I went to see if any one was taking grass seed there. I saw Saunders close the door and take the light to the back part of the house. A native came and tapped at Saunders’ window. Saunders opened the door. They had a few words and the native galloped away. He returned, had a few more words, and again galloped away. Saunders went across the road with some other natives. Patariki came up and had some conversation with' Saandeip. > FthCn. saw some natives with horses laden with bundles which I topkto be grass seed. I then went to fetch Lorrigan. We then went to Saunders house and saw a Maori holding a horse near the bar door. I caught the man whose name was Rawiri Titirangi. He gave a curious sound which I took to bo a signal; On going to the tent we found six men were missing. I knew that some o£ Mr. Cooper’s' grass; seed had been stolen.

Robert Lorrigan, states: I was present at Saunders’ house with the last witness at 2 o’clock on Tuesday morning. I saw two natives and one white man apparently looking over an Recount. Campbell and I went to the back of the house and saw Maoris—Rawiri Titirangi was one of them, Campbell sang out, and the light was extinguished. I afterwards saw Saunders at the door and said to him “ these boys are up to their games.” He said “ that was nothing.” Robert Cooper, saith on oath : “ I rent the paddock of grass seed adjoining Mr. Saunders’ hotel. I told Saunders I had missed 45 bags of grass seed and that he had been buying it and asked him for the names of the men he had bought it of. He said he had only bought 25 bags and took no names of the sellers. I told him the names of certain natives working for me and he said if my brand was on the bags he would not buy. I charged him with having given bags to natives who were working for me and he said he would give bags to anyone who would come for them. This closed the case for the prosecution, and as no defence was offered His Worship decided to send the case for trial as already reported.

Thursday, January 15

Rigg v. Houghton.—Claim £6 Is. Defendant claimed a set off, which was not allowed, and judgment given for plaintiff for amount claimed. Johnson Bros, and Westrup v. Hmi Waaka and Others.—Claim £2O, damages for obstructing plaintiffs in the occupation of their run. Mr. Wilson, who appeared for the defendants, said that the case was beyond the jurisdiction of the Court, as a question of title was inevitable. Mr. Cuff, for the plaintiffs, concurred and accepted a nonsuit. We believe the case will be removed to the Supreme Court. '. Hardy v. Eru Ngatapa and Read v. Pitau were adjourned to Thursday, the 22nd instant. Several small debt and other cases were disposed of and the Court rose.