TRESPASS CASE AT DARGAVILLE.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 211, 18 August 1893, Page 3

TRESPASS CASE AT DARGAVILLE.

Joseph Draper was charged before Dr. Norton and Mr A. E. Harding J.P’s at Dargaville Police Court on Thursday last, with having unlawfully trespassed on Kaihu No. 2 block on 24 July last by digging guru thereon without permission. Mr McLeod appeared for the prosecution. Henry Robinson , ranger for the Block, deposed that he found defendant trespassing on the 4th June but did not prosecute him as he stated he had a large family and promised that he would not trespass again. Defendant had some newly dug gum which witness demanded but defendant refused to give up. Defendant also refused to give his name. Witness drew defendant’s attention to the boundary line of the Block which was clearly defined, staked, and flagged. On 24th July witness again found defendant trespassing. Defendant was in a hole digging gum. Watched him for about ten minutes then accosted him and demanded his name. Defendant replied that he hud no name. Defendant was at work within thirty yards of the spot at which witness found him on 4th June. Witness was accompanied by Mr R. J. Byrnes. R. J. Byrnes, another ranger, gave corroborative evidence. Defendant then made a statement to the effect that he had mistaken the poles of the Waimutu road for those of the Block boundary and so trespassed unknowingly. The Bench convicted defendant and fined him £1 and £1 15/6 costs, or in default 14 days imprisonment. Defendant asked for time to pay the fine but Mr McLeecl objected stating as a reason that several unexecuted warrants were now lying in Court for the arrest of defendants who had been allowed time and had left the district in the interval.

The defendant was accordingly committed but later in the day the fine was paid and prisoner discharged.