TOLOGA BAY LETTER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 90, 20 March 1884, Page 2

TOLOGA BAY LETTER.

[FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT.] Tologa Bay, March 17. The week’s proceedings terminated very pleasantly on Saturday with a series of athletic sports, of which I apprised you in my last. Subjoined are the events and names of the winners. In two or three cases there were some very close finishes, notably in the running high jump and running long jump. The wrestling also was very good on the part of the contestants. About 250 people of both races were on the ground during the afternoon, and one and all appeared to enjoy themselves immensely. The 100 yards race was won easily by Cantie, as was also the 440 yards handicap. Running high jump : Pere Rangi and Tommy (Maoris) both tied at sft. and divided. The running long jump was won by Bob (Maori), who oleaied 17ft. 9in.; Billy came next with 17ft. Bin» The Maori women’s race was cleverly won by Raiha Kamau. Hop, step, and leap: Billy took first prize with 37ft. Ropihana carried off first honors for the obstacle race, this Native proving too superior for the others. In the wrestling match four ehtried were received, which was won by Harry Rautapth who succeeded in throwing Sam Gillman twice out of three times. The greasy pig terminated the day’s sports. Next Saturday, the 22nd instant, there is also to be a number of boat races, including one for whale-boats, for which, if five or more enter, the first prize will be £lO and £2 for second; and a novelty in the shape of an amphibious match, which is that compe* titors have to start from the Tologa Bay Hotel, run to and swim the river to the Ferry Hotel on the other side. On the Saturday following there is to be horse racing, for which a substantial sum has been subscribed. Many thanks are due to those gentlemen who have so energetically catered for our amusement, and I cannot refrain from mentioning the names of Messrs. C. W. Ferris and G. Morrow.

Mr. Booth, R.M., having returned from the Coast, the Court opened here on the 14th inst., for the disposal of criminal and civil business. Contrary to expectations, a large number of cases were on the list, and it will be, I expect, another day before the sittings will be concluded. Prior to giving a digest of the cases heard, I must endorse the opinions expressed by the Bench on the evidence given by a Native witness for the prosecution in the case, Police v. R. Finlay, for a breach of the Licensing Act, named Hirini Te Kere, who so openly contradicted his statements as to draw expressions of a very condemnatory nature from the Bench, who censured the witness severely, struck his evidence out, and characterised the whole affair as a most disgraceful proceeding. The same Native was afterwards mulcted in a fine of £2 and costs for being drunk and riotous in a place of worship during service hours. Annexed is a record of the civil proceedings :—H. Trimmer v. Eru te Whana, claim £l4 13s. 5d., adjourned till next Court; John Trimmer v. Epineha Pohau and Wirimu Potaa, claim £3, judgment for plaintiff, with costs. Judgment for plaintiffs was also given in the following cases:—F. Hodges v. A. Carter, claim £3 14s. 6d.; Mulooly v. Ropata Wliahawhaha, claim £l7 125., awarded £7, being amount paid into Court, balance adjourned to next sittings of Court at Awanui; Mulooly v. Tame Keremana, claim £1 3s. 6d; Mulooly v. Hetekai Te Kani, claim £lO 6s. 8d; Mulooly v. Heni Taura, claim £2 18s; Fox v. Ranira Tuporaka, claim £1 4s; Fox v. Hirini Waiti, claim £2 12s; Kirk v. Lockwood, claim £ll 12s. 2d. (confessed); H. Trimmer v. Bethel, claim £3 65., judgment summons, payment in one month, or four days’ imprisonment; McClive v. H. Black, claim £7 os. 6d., judgment summons, payments £3 per month, in default seven days’ imprisonment; J. Trimmer v. Hera Paia, claim £l4, judgment summons, payments £5 10s. quarterly, less £3 paid into Court, in default 11 days’ imprisonment; J. Trimmer v. Peremara, claim £l9 Is. 2d., judgment summons, £9 paid into Court, balance in instalments of £5 next July, £2 in August, and the remainder next January; Hone Pipitana v. Hercwine Tamahori, claim £6 6s.

In the cases of Mulooly v. Wi Pere, claim £l7 13s. 6d., and Fox v. Hari Mawhata, £1 25., judgment was given for defendants. A few minor cases were either settled out of Court, withdrawn, summonses not seiwed, or nonsuited.

The criminal business opened with the case Police v. Taare Keremana, disorderly behavior while drunk, who was fined £3, or in default imprisonment for one month ; fine paid. Police v. Hohepa Pari, furious riding; lined £3, in default two weeks’ imprisonment.

Police v. R. Finlay, breach of Licensing Act by supplying Natives with intoxicating liquor; dismissed on technical grounds, viz,, that “ shandy-gaff ” did not come within the meaning of the Act, and was not intoxicating. In the second case, Police v. Finlay, charged with the same offence; case dismissed and defendant cautioned. It was in this case that the witness Herini Te Were, before alluded to, committed himself, and incurred a reprimanding from the Bench. The third charge, Police v. Finlay, defendant was fined 20s. and costs. In all three cases Mr. Nolan appeared and pleaded not guilty. A case adjourned from last Court day was also dismissed. Police ▼. F. Hodges, breach of Licensing Act; defendant was fined 10s. and costs. Hale v. Margaret Reeves (unlawful rescue), Hale v. Margaret Reeves (assault), and Hale v. Andrew Reeves (allowing entire stock to be at large) were all dismissed with costs. Notice of appeal was given in the latter case. Five charges against Natives, for having unregistered dogs, were withdrawn, the defendants in each case complying with the Act. Wirema Ruka v. Hirini Te Here, drunkenness, fined £2 and 9s. costs. The case of perjury, Police v. Terei Huna, will came on for hearing to-day, besides a number of other civil cases. The usual quarterly sittings of the Licensing Court took place on the loth inst. J. Finlay, of the Waitotara Hotel, had his license returned to him. Transfer of license H. Trimmer, late of the Ferry Hotel, to Moss DeCosta, granted. The report in all cases on the hotels within the district was favorable, with the exception of new flooring for the verandah, and paper for the passage, in the Ferry Hotel, which the licensee promised to have attended to by next licensing day. The Porter-Greene andßotakautuku inquiry is, I am informed, fixed for Wednesday next. The Tologa Bay Hotel has changed hands, Mr. Carter, lately of your town, haying entered into possession. Extensive additions are, I believe, being contemplated in connection with this well-known hostely. A balcony extending the whole front is amongst the proposed improvements, which will add materially to the comfort and appearance of the building. That the Natives attending the Land Court here must be possessed of money is evinced by the apparent remunerative trade the various •stores are doing. At present there are four of them in the township. Mr. Alex. Keefer also has one, under the management of Mr. Henry Trimmer, and appears to be well patronised. As I mentioned in my last, the Waihau Block is still proceeding slowly, and almost occupies the whole attention of the Court. The Government blocks coming on for subdivision to-day, Waihau has been adjourned. The weather since my last has not been very favorable, heavy clouds from the South continually drifting over, accompanied occasionally with slight showers of rain, the wind being cold. Wednesday morning last, the s.s. Rosina arrived here from Gisborne, bringing eight or nine passengers, including Sir George Whitmore. After discharging cargo here, on her return she steamed for Gisborne, but, through some mischance, left her obliging and genial Captain, Ra Makay, behind. Ra says he has been the victim of misplaced confidence. Sergeant Bullen arrived here from Gisborne to-day, to conduct the case of perjury against the Native Te Rei Huna, set apart for tomorrow. The Waiapu races come off to-morrow, St. Patrick’s day, and a number of our residents have gone hither. Should the weather prove propitious, good racing and a numerous gathering should be the result.