RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 232, 19 December 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Gisborne, Friday, December 18, 1874. [Before W. K. Nesbitt, Esq., R.M.,] FELONY. George Gear was charged with having feloniously sold a pistol to an aboriginal native without a license. Heria Parairei, sworn states: I live at Ormond. On the 27th September last prisoner came to my whare and asked me to my a pistol and a revolver. He spoke half English and half Maori. I bought the pistol. I gave him 5s for it, (pistol produced and identified). Prisoner did not tell me to keep the matter secret.

Cross-examined by prisoner : You asked me to buy the revolver. I did not ask you to sell it.

Rihara Kati Kati, sworn states : I know the prisoner. I saw him at Muriwai. I don’t know when. Prisoner and last witness were together dealing for guns. I heard prisoner say that he wanted to sell a gun. I saw Parairei give the prisoner 5s for the gun.

Toka, sworn states: I have seen the prisonei at Murewai. I saw him sell a gun to Parairei, He gave 5s for it.

The prisoner in reply to the Bench said he had no witness, and having been cautioned in the usual way made the following statement: —About twelve weeks ago I was travelling from Poverty Bay to Napier. I put up at Tibball’s Hotel. Parairei asked me the next day if I would give him a pistol I said “ No.” I told him if he would give me two bottles of grog I would give it him. He gave me 10s to get -change. I returned him ss. I did not know the penalty attached to what I was doing. If he had not bought it I should have thrown it away. The Bench considered that according to prisoner’s own admission he had been guilty of felony, and committed him for trial at the next sitting of tne Supreme Court at Napiir. Prisoner was further charged under the Militia Act, with having detained a rifle and accoutrements, the property of the Colonial Government. Fined 20s or 7 days’ imprisonment. The arms to be given up, or their value to be paid. MAOBA PANI V. TE MANI AND OTHERS. Mr. Wilson for plaintiff. Claim £lO 15s for rent. This was a complicated case which has appeared on the record before; much conflicting testimony was adduced as to proof of defendants’ responsibility. Judgment for plaintiff with costs. STRONG V. DAVIS. Claim £2 10s for clerical work performed by the late firm of Strong and Bryant. T. M. Bryant, sworn deposed to having been employed by Bidgood to do certain clerical work for the late firm of Bidgood and Davis. The Court held that as the work done was for the sole benefit of Bidgood, judgment would go for defendant with costs. BABBIE V. CARSON. Claim £6 10s, goods sold. No appearance of defendant. Judgment by default. GOLDSMITH V. HIBINI JIAEHEONE. Claim £3 money lent. Judgment for plaintiff. CARLILE AND CO. V. BIRCH. Claim £4lss. Amount of promissory note. No appearance of defendant. Judgment by default.