A COURT SCENE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1022, 12 January 1882, Page 4

A COURT SCENE.

The special of the Lyttelton Timet is responsible for the following :— A pungent and amusing commentary upon the, intricacy and uncertainty of proceedings in outlaw courts was made by Tito Kowaru when before the New Plymouth Bench, charged with having used threatening language at Manaia. The old warrior pleaded guilty, evidently thinking it was useless to do otherwise. But the Bench, at the instance of the prosecuting counsel, entered a plea of not guilty, and proceeded to take evidence. The interpreter (Johnny Blake) had great'difficulty in explaining the quo to Tito. Freely translated, the following conversation took place between Blake and Tito Kowaru : — Blake: The Magistrates won’t allow you to say you are guilty ; they say you're not guilty. Tito Kowaru (wrapping his blanket round him, and preparing, with an air of satisfaction, to leave the dock) : Kapai ! (good). Blake : You mustn’t go ; they are going to try you now. Tito Kowaru (astonished) : What do they want to try me for if they say I am not guilty ? Blake : But you might be guilty after all. Tito Kowaru : Well, I said at first I was, and they said I was not. Blake : Precisely, that’s it. The Bench : Tell him we have written dawn in the big book (holding it up) that he is “ not guilty.” Tito Kowaru : That’s a lie. 1 said 1 was guilty. The Bench (authoritatively) : Call the first witness. Tito Kowaru (with an air of puzzled resignation) : I always thought the pakehas were fools.