SUPREME COURT.

Te Aroha News, Volume XII, Issue 1790, 27 November 1895, Page 2

SUPREME COURT .

HORSE STEALING.

Tuhatau, an aboriginal native, was charged that on the 15th of June, at Te Aroha, he stole a gelding the property of Nathaniel Harvey. Mr Geo. Brown interpreted; and the accused said that he did not steal the horse, it belonged to both of them. This was taken as a plea of not guilty, Mr Battley appeared, and said he was instructed by the solicitor in Kihikihi to plead guilty, but if the accused pleaded not guilty, he should not appear. Mr Tole suggested that the case might stand over for the present, so as ,to give Mr Battley an opportunity to speak to the prisoner. His Honor consented, and the prisonor was removed.

Subsequently, after the adjournment, Tuhatau was again placed in the dock and pleaded guilty to the charge/ Mr Battley now appeared for the accused, and applied that he might he admitted to probation. Constable Carroll, of ICihikihi, was called, and said although no charges had ever previously boon laid against tho ac cused, hoboreabadroputation amongst the natives in regard to pig stealing. Mr Harvey, the prosecutor, was called and said that prisoner knew the owner’s horse was witness’s. Witness had it five years, and got it from accused’s brother, and accused had no claim to it. . The accused bore a very bad character in the district. His Honor said it was not a case in which he could allow probation. The prisoner was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, with hard labour.