A PECULIAR CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 250, 27 November 1909, Page 5

A PECULIAR CASE.

JIEX PLEAD GUILTY IX MISTAKE. By Telegraph.—Press Awociation. Wellington, Last Night. Peculiar developments occurred in a pise, at the Supreme Court today. T .vo prisoners, who had pleaded guilty tn a charge of theft, appeared for sentence. Mr. SKerrett, K.C., on behalf of the prisoners, said there was grave reason to think from the depositions put in that accused inadvertently pleaded guilty. Accused were arrested at Raetihi ('•r shooting two tattle belonging to a man iiamed Chapman, which, they alleged, were wild bu«h cattle which run in the ush on the outskirts r,f the district, hey were tried before three Justices af ■e Peace two dnj-s later and were not jresented I>y counsel. l> : 'ing unable t<> obtain anyone. In the affidavits accused state they pleaded guilty to shouting (rild eattle, "which the chairman nf the Bench said amounted to a plea of w,t j guilty and advised them to plead guilty end they would be dealt with more leniently. ' Judge Chapman said the matter was very important, for Tf the facts wer,. «? Stated the Justice; and police bad mistaken their dutv, and it might he an occasion for him to make representations to the finivrmnent to have a legis- !„»;, |,.ii.,--. in 'lie Act giving power to judges, when prisoners plead guilty !o prdcr. if necessary, a further trial f>r investigation. The evidence of the .Ins tices and the police of Raeti n will Ik' taken at Wellington next Wednesday.