OHINEMURI.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2163, 9 December 1875, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

Per Pigeon Express. (fbom oub ovrs cobuespondent.) POLICE^COUET. Mackaytqwn. Wednesday, Bth December. (Before A. J. Allom, Esq., J-.P.) John Watford, a late arrival from California, was brought up and charged under the third clause of the Vagrant Act with having on the night of the 7th inst. a loaded revolver in his possession. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and said he was drunk at. the time he shewed it •; he said that he thought it necessary to carry such a weapon when travelling through Maori country. Captain Newall who prosecuted said that he was quite satisfied, that the accused had no felonious intent. Denis Lees was sworn and deposed— lam a constable stationed at Mackaytown. I know the prisoner. I saw him last night at about half past 8 o'clock at the Ratclifte Arms Hotel. We were in the bar parlour. Prisoner was sitting down. I was engaged iv a conversation which lie

nterrupted. He produced a revolver I from his breast pocket. He said " This is a nice thing; it is not meant to be used here, but I always carry one." He next showed it to Constable Cleary. He told . those present that it was loaded, j and wanted to fire it off. Cleary took it I from him and discharged it outside. He ' then returned it to the prisoner. His Worship said Cleary ought not to have done so, and Captain Newall said he had informed Constable Cleary that it was an infraction of his duty. > Constable Cleary, who arrested prisoner, corroborated the evidence of former witness, and further deposed— Before returning the revolver I asked if prisoner had any more ammunition. He said that he had none. I then handed it back to him, as he said he was going away. Shortly after I heard that he was reloading it. I then went into the room and arrested him. I took possession of the revolver now produced. I searched the prisoner and found one round of ball cartridge on him. Some more rounds were picked up from off the! floor. I then brought him to the Police Station. His Worship said that the evidence was quite sufficient to prove the offence, and asked prisoner if he had any statemeat to make in defence ?

Prisoner said he was a stranger in the colony, &c, and asked the Court to deal leniently with him.

The Court dismissed the case, and ordered the revolver to be impounded with Captain Newall. The same person was also charged with being drunk and disorderly, and was fined 20s and costs.

Kimukimu and Kiriwaitai were severally charged with wilfully and unlawfully damaging the property of lianagia. In the absence of the accused the tourt proceeded ex parte to hear the case. After hearing the evidence the Court asked complainant if he was willing to accept £2 in lieu of the damage sustained? Eanapia agreed to settle it for that amount. The Court accordingly recorded its judgment.