R.M.’s Court, Gisborne.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1071, 9 May 1882, Page 2

R.M.’s Court, Gisborne.

Saturday, May 6. [Before M. Pkicb, Esq., R.M.] Hemi Paboa, on remand, was brought up charged with rape on the person of a Native child named Irahapeta Puha, aged nine years. After hearing the evidence, which is unfit for publication, of the child’s mother, the court adjourned until Monday. Monday, May 8. Wirernu Pimia was charged by Constable Farmer with a breach of Municipal by-law by furious riding in Gladstone Road, on the 6th inst., and riding on the footpath the same day ; also with riotous drunkenness in the same place and at the same time. His Worship said that the accused had only himself to thank for the penalty he had incurred. Drunkenness was the origin of the offence. He should inflict a fine of 40s in each of the first two charges, with an alternative in each instance of 7 days imprisonment. The charge of drunkenness should be withdrawn. Fined £l, with 14s costs.

Hemi Paroa, on remand, was then brought up charged with rape on a Native child named Irahapeta Puha, at Mangatu, on the 20th of April last. His Worship ordered that all witnesses in this case should be excluded from the Court, and instructed Mr Woon to explain clearly to the child the nature of her obligations in making the charge. He should take her statement under an Act entitled, “An Ordinance for the admission in certain cases, of unsworn testimony in civil and criminal proceedings, IGth July, 1844.” The child, whose statement was very clear and lucid, was then examined, but the nature of the evidence precludes our giving publicity to it. Sufficient to say that the case was a clear one, and the Magistrate, after hearing the evidence committed the prisoner for trial at Napier.