"COMIC OPERA" IN COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 317, 2 June 1911, Page 8

"COMIC OPERA" IN COURT.

A "FARCE" THAT COST £3l 18s. Auckland, Thursday. "This should be made a comic opera for the amusement of law clerks," smilingly observed Mr. Justice Edwards, as a case was being unfolded by the Crown at the Auckland Supreme Court this morning, A well-built, middle-aged Maori, Hemi Rongo, was brought from Rotorua to answer a charge of the theft of a pair of braces and trousers from the dwelling of Mrs. Corbett on March 13 last. It was disclosed in evidence that the Maori was a great friend of the late Mr. Corbett, and a frequent visitor to the house, being often the recipient of gifts of worn-out clothing and such like. On the date mentioned, Mrs. Corbett had gone out, leaving the door of the house unfastened, and on returning she found Rrngo in the kitclii n pulling a pair of trouser; on over the ones he was wearing. £'ii ordered him out of the house, and we it into another room, doing hick t" the kitchen, Rongo had pulled the se. • id pair of trousers off, and, putting 'hem over his arm, walked out of the !■ use. When the trousers were missed ilic police were informed, and a warran: was issued for the accused's arrest, though he was an old resident of Rotorua. On the occasion of the alleged theft, Rongo was slightly drunk, but had left his waggon, with liis wife, drawn up in front of the house. "What is the value of those intcre*ting articles that will cost the country between £SO and £OO ?» asked his Honor of H. W. Corbett, the owner of the stolen trousers. Witness: About £l. When the arresting constable stated that a warrant was issued, his Honor sternly enquired if there were any reason why the man was not summoned. "I acted on instructions from the sergent," replied the constable. His Honor remarked that it appeared to be useless to refer to the abuse of warrants. He had mentioned the matter time after time.

"Do you want to continue this farce, gentlemen?" his Honor asked, turning to the jury, after the evidence for the prosecution had concluded. "Of course, you can see these proceedings are farcical absolutely," he went on and mentioned that the cost to the country would timount to £3l 18s. The offence had been put before the magistrate as an indictable one, but the prisoner could rtadily have bean charged with common theft. If theft at all,' it was in law theft from a dwelling, but not as contemplated'by the statute. It was also breaking and entering at law, and it was a wonder that section of the Act bad not also been proceeded under. To bring the Maori to Auckland was a complete waste of public money. He did not believe there were twelve men in New Zealand who would convict a prisoner of tneft on such evidescc as that presented. A verdict of "not guilty" was returned by the jury, and accused was discharged. Mf. Resd appeared for the defence.