THE TUAKAU CASES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 82, 8 April 1913, Page 4

THE TUAKAU CASES.

♦ Finished at Last. Four of The Accused Convicted. The " Tuakau cases," as they are populaily known, again name forward at the sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Pukekuhe on Thursday. The cases arose out of the removal of the whe«l from a waggon belonging to Mr Geraghty and the roiling of it into a creek, and the removal of several gates fr >m their hinges, j 'lliomas Walker, Charles Dromgoo ,• and James Droingool were uil'ed uj;on to answer these charges at tiie lnM; regular sitting of ihe fc\M. Court. Owing to the idness of one of the principal witnesses for the police the ca;-es againsc these thiee accused were adjourned. The following week Thomas Ciark and P.-rcy Lapwood were brought befoie Messis P. McGrovern aud K. F. Webster J'sP. to answer for the removal of the wheel and in Clark's case a further charge of removing a gate. Clark on the charge of removing the wheel was couvicied and ordered to pay costs 12s. The second charge against Clark and that against Lapwood were adjourned until the next visit of the ri.M. to Pukekohe. The first case taken on Thursday was that against Thomas Clark for removing a ga'.e. Mr Lundon appeared for the accused. A plea of not guilty was entered. Constable Watson deposed having read over a statement made by the accused to Constable Moore. He admitted it was true and that he signed it. The statement was then put in. In this accused admitted having been concerned in the removal of the gates. Evidence was given by John Batkin of the removal of his gate. He saw other gates which had been tampered with. For the defence, Mr Luudjii commented on the fact that at the lirst hearing an adjournment, in opposition tj his protest, had been granted on account of the absence of Constable Moore, jet at this hearing the missing witness was again absent. He contended that the charge was of removing " a gate." The Magistrate : If you have any doubt as to which gate is referred to I am prepared to amend the statement.