GISBORNE.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4512, 21 June 1883, Page 2

GISBORNE.

This day. The first sitting of the Supreme Court at Gisbqrne commenced yesterday before His Honor Sir Jag. JPrendergast, who, in his charge to the Grand Jury congratulated the district on having succeeded in getting a Court established here. Gis« borne was a very nice place, and be was Tery pleased with the signs of prosperity on every hand. If the Court is to be continued representations should be made for the erection of a suitable building. The Court is being held in the theatre. His Honor said it was the first time be; had appeared on the stage in his lifej There were only three cases set down for] trial—murder, arson, and assault with intent. The Grand Jury returned true bills in each case. Several important civil actions are to come on, in which prominent men are interested. The charge against Mcllldoe for criminally assaulting Mrs Miokie. alias Prougley, lasted all day. The jury returned a verdict of not guily.

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Enoko Wbatiatite, charged with setting fire to his own whare, pledded guilty and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment with hard, labor. The murder case is now on. Prisoner, pleaded not guilty. It is not likely to be finished to-day.' The Judge remarked on the Maori

custom of .chiefs giving one man's wife to another, and said such a practice, if tolerated, would lead to serious crim-H. Mr Nolan, the Crown Prosecutor, in his opening speech, said in this case as in the other two disposed of, a woman was at the bottom of it.