RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1058, 6 April 1882, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, GISBORNE.

Tuseday, April 4. [Before M. PiitCß, Esq., R.M.] Robert Johnson was charged with being drunk in the public streets on the 3rd inst. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Fined 10s., or 24 hours’ imprisonment. This was all the business. Wednesday, April 5. [Before M. Price, Esq., R.M.] Wiremu Te Kaue was charged with the larceny of a pair of trowsers and vest, the property of William Wallace, at Matawhero. Adjourned until Thursday. furious biding. Alfred Jeffreys was charged with furious riding, and riding on the footpath. No appearance of defendant. A warrant was accordingly issued for his apprehension. POLICE V. PERITO. Breach of the peace. No appearance of defendant. A warrant was accordingly issued for his apprehension. POLICE V RAHIHA. Breach of Public Works Act; furious riding. Withdrawn on application of Sergeant Bullen. POLICE V. PITA KIOBI. Breach of the peace. No appearance of defendant. A warrant was issued for his apprehension, and he was arrested, but released and remanded till two o’clock. At that hour Pita Kiori was charged on a warrant with a breach of the peace, by fighting in the public street, at Waerenga-a-hika, on Jan. 22d. Defendant stated that he came from Tologa Bay this morning; hence his non-appearance at the proper time. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Constable Currie, sworn, deposed: On the 22nd of January last I was at Waerenga-a-hika, and saw defendant there fighting with another Native named Henare Pirito. Henare knocked defendant down into the ditch. I got them parted, and defendant then went home. Defendant was not drunk. I cannot say which was the aggressor. Henare Hawhe sworn, deposed : I live at Mangatu. Know defendant and Henare Pirito. Henare lives at Mangatu also. I left Henare at Mangatu last night. I don’t know why he does not come down. I remember being at Waerenga-a-hika on the 22nd January. Saw Constable Currie there that day. Saw defendant and Henare Pirito fighting there that day on the road going down to Hardy’s house. Henare Pirito was the aggressor. I don’t know what they were fighting about. I know nothing more than seeing them fighting. I was one of the crowd of spectators. Henare was drunk. Defendant was sober. We all live in one kainga. I believe the fighting originated in defendant’s shirt being torn by Henare. I saw him do it. I did not see the commencement of the fight, but I know that was the origin of it. The accused’s shirt was torn, and he demanded the reason of Henare, who in reply knocked him down. The defendant did not return the blow. We separated them, and defendant went away. Accused, in defence, handed in a certificate of character from Mr John Roberts, and stated that, owing to an old grievance, Henare attacked him and shook him roughly, tearing his shirt, and told him to stand up, as he wanted to fight him. He refused, and tried to get away. Henare then caught hold of him, and knocked him down. That made him angry, and he agreed to fight, but was not permitted, as the people got between them and prevented them.

Eined 55., and costs of court 95.; service of summons, £1 165.; in default of immediate payment 14 days. The witnesses’ expenses would be awarded when the case against Henare Pirito was heard ; as the magistrate considered that the defendant had incurred ample penalty in the fine and costs imposed.