THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY, KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1457, 3 November 1881, Page 2

THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY, KIHIKIHI.

A vebaciotts correspondent vouches for ike accuracy of the following report : — Mr Northcroft, R.M., with his stiff, having left the district for Taranaki, a .mniber of the leading settldra of Kihikiln assembled to elect a judge or magistrate under a bill brought into Parliament last session by Sir George Grey, called the Local Self-government Bill, wherein each community was empowered to make laws and appoint its own judge and R.M., &c. &c. Charles Temple, Esq. was elected the first judge under the aforesaid act. The first case brought before this court was that of several members of the school committee, named Thomas, Tristram, Aaideivon, Blinooe, Grace, and Natress. A nspectable jury of 12 was formed, of which Mr Andrew E.o»s was chosen foreman ; Wilhum Qualtrough acted as special constable, assisted by G< orge MuKinder and Win. Ashby, Mr Farrell was appointed clerk of the Court, and in the abbence of the committee's legal adviser, Mr Andrew Kay gratuitously uadertook to • onduct the defeuce for the prisoners. Mr Cowan and several others attended as witnesses for the prosecution. The charges against the prisoners were as follow : Ist. That they, through their secretary, sent falso reports to the Boaid of Education. 2nd. That since the 17th October, they did 10b, steal, or cheat 60 children of their just rights to receive education. The crown prosecutor, Mr Ogle, said there were several other charges against the prisoners which he had withdrawn. A number of witnesses were examined to prove the charges. Mr Kay, the counbel for the prisoners, opened thB defence with a very able address, anol it as believed would have got thpm acquitted on a technical point, but at this stage of the proceedings Thomas quarrelled with hib counsel, which re-ulted in Mr Kay severely rebuking the prisoner Thomas, and throwing up their defence, and as uone of the prisoners had the Ability to conduct their defence they all pleaded guilty to the charge*. The jury, without retiring, found all the prisoners guilty ; Natress and Grace they recommended to mercy on account of their youth. His Honor then addressed the prisoners Natress and Grace as follows : — You have been convicted on most conclusive evidence of very serious crimes. It is not necessary for me to pass any sentence on you, the blessings of those 60 innocent little children whom you have helped to rob will be sufficient punishment to you while you live. You are discharged. His Honor then addressed the elder prisoners as follows : — You have been found guilty on the clearest of evidence, and on your own confession, of a very heinous crime. Have you anything to say why judgment should not be passed upon you ? The prisoner Thomas said that the readier frustrated him in gettiug the use of the schoolroom for his personal benefit, and to te:ich moie important things than the education of 60 children he pressed for the disnmsdl of the teacher. Pnsoner Blincoe said that the other members of the school committee let him a contiact at his own price to build ashed on the school ground, and as a matter of honor he voted as he was told. Prisoner fribtiain s»aid that he had qinmelied with eveiy bchooltnaster that uacl been in Kilnkilu. He wished the piesent teacher discharged, and his daughtei appointed, who was more competent to fill the position. Prisoner Anderson said that in his opiiiion too much education was a dan,'eious thing; entuitainmunts in the juhoohoom were much moiv profitable in i commercial point. Hh Hnuur piooueded to address the ■is iiier-> and pass sentence, <nd ."aid :: — ■ Piisuneis at the har, h-> ihi» is the first • be that ha-i been biM"-rht ■ fhire this Joint, I will visit you witli lighter sencen< es than yout ci nnu dt j->eij ->ei yes. I have nen informed by the Pie^i'lent of this Ouuty that thi'i 1 " is no j.iil acouinmodaum provid> d iv ir, \ pt , hut, I have &ijj nified to the officer- of the Court, the nature of the punishment to be infl etc 1, whicS will io admini-steiod l<> ym »« y >u leave the lo(,k. The judgment of t.n> Court is h-it each ot you bo well (ai " At hn of the proceedin .•- in rushed M'-U'it-d Countable Tmnui 1 oi the A.C., ivho thieatrfiiel to arrest, ami lodire in •ho Te Awimiitu jraol, His Honor uul nil hia officials. L'uiinfr the conrubion the accused decamped. After ho fiist surprise was over the following dialogue ensued :—: — Countable Tnriuer: The net on which *ou have presumed to con-titute this Court did not pa^a the Legislature, but, is one of the liberal measures, will prob* .ibly pass next i-esiion. His Honor : But there is now no other Court iv thsi district to deil with such important cases. MrNoithcrofthas gone to aranaki. ConbUlile Tunner: It is my instructions to call on you to disperse, or march you to the t-tatinn. Charley put hn wi°r into his pocket and slunk of the Bench, which was the signal, for all the othei officials to take to their heels. It transpired that at an early stage of the proceedings that Thomas sent a telegram to Constable Gilles at Te Awamutu, who immediately despatched Constable Tanner to the scene of action. All's well that ends well.