THE MAORI TRESPASSERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 228, 2 August 1879, Page 2

THE MAORI TRESPASSERS.

0 [From the New Zealand Times.] 1 Yesterday morning the three Maori prisoners, tc \Yirilws, To Uira, and Te Wiwini, who had been charged before the Resident Magistratelast week with forcibly entering the land of Mi' Bayloy, at Opunake, and who were remanded in order to secure the attendance of Mr Bayley, to depose to the ownership of the property, were again brought before Mr Mansford, at the Athenjeum. The prisoners were attended by a guard of Armed Oonstabu-

lary. Dr Bulk defended the accused, and Mr Bell appeared for the Crown. The evidence of Mr Bayley was taken to the effect that he was a farmer, living in the district of Taranaki, and he owned the land in question, near Opunake. Tho section had a saw-mill oh it, and was known as Bayley's paddock'. Mr Bell said he considered sufficient evidenco had been taken to prove the ownership. Dr Duller reserved his defence, and the prisoners wore fully committed to take their trial, Dr Bulk then renewed his application for bail, which he did as a test question. Ho considered the offence of which the prisoner's were accused was one which entitled them to bail, Mr Mansford did not ob'ect to granting bail, but it must bo large. Br Bulk asked if it would be so large that it would be impossible for the accused to find the necessary sureties ?

Mr Mansford said he would make the bail large, but the prisoners could apply to tho Supreme Court to have it reduced if they thought fit, He should allow each prisoner bail iu the sum of £SOO, and two sureties in £250 each.

Ds- Bulk said he- had looked up the Justice of the Peace Act, but he could not find anything iu it about applying to the Supreme Court in such matters. Mr Mansford said the practice was a very general one in England, Dr Bulk remarked that in England a magistrate was liable to be punished for interfering with the liberty of the subject, by demanding excessive bail. Mr, Mansford did not think the bail was excessive. In reply to Dr. Bulk, who asked why lie had fixed it so high, he said that under ordinary circumstances —if the accused had been Europeans—he would probably have fixed the bail at £SO, Dr. Bulk asked if he was then b understand that the bail had been fixed so high in order te prevent the prisoners from obtaining it? Mr. Mansford replied that he did not say so. Ho had merely made it so high to ensnre their appearance at the Supreme Court, The witness were then bound over to appear at the Supreme Court, and the prisoners left, being escorted by the guard of Armed Constables as before