Tht Ifatives at the Police Court, Hamilton.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2043, 11 August 1885, Page 3

Tht Ifatives at the Police Court, Hamilton.

At the Police Com t, Hamilton, yesterday, before Mr Noithcroft, R.M.. il.ue Penetito, H.vre Korramn, and Kereama, of Matanuta, aboriginal natnes, were charged with that they did on Thursday, the sixth day of August, 18H5, unlawfully, maliciously, and feloniously destroy and injure a certain railway bridge across the Waitoa river, near Matamata fifoiesaid, in the county of Piakr>, the property of the Thatnea Valley and Rotorua Railway Company (Limited), with intent to render the same impassible ; and that Tuwhcnua Tiwlia, Penotito and Kereama Tanwhare, of Mataniat.t ufores.iid, aboriginal natives, on the dsiy and year and at the place last aforesaid, did feloniously aid, abet, counsol, and procure th« said Hare Penetito, Haro Kereama and Kereama to do and commit the laid felony againut the Htatute in such case made and provided. They were ftlno charged with a nmdemeanoui under th« Malicious) Injury to Pio-

perfcy Act. Mr W. M. Hay appeared for the plaintiff, and the j>rinonerß were unrepresented Jjy counsel. After the charges had been read, Mr Northcroft suggested that some arrangement might be c<>nie to, without

proceeding to extreme^. The natives evidently (lul not do what they had done fi inn malicious niotne*, but 111 defence of what they consideied then lights. By going- on with tlie cisc tlic countiv would also be |>ut to a ffie.it deal of expense. Mi Hay s.iid neithei Mi K.illon nor the company' were dcsiious of pioceedmg to cxtienuties, but they liad been put to expense and tins they natuially wished to be recouped. Ofcoui>e the case was one of felony. Mr Noithcroft said it might easily be arranged to vvithdiaw the piosecution in a case of this Kind. Mr Hay asked for a lcm.md until Knday next. Mr Noithcroft thought the plaintifl ought to have been able to go on with his case. It was h.udly fair to keep the natives waiting about at expense to themselves. Mr Hay said it would bo impossible to go on with the case that day, as he had not got his witnesses leady. After .some further argument his Woiship granted the remand. lli> lemaiked that ho would be away ou Fuday, but the case could be taken by two justices. Prisoners were admitted to bail in tho same amounts as before. Major Jackson and Mr Eraser again became sureties. Subsequently a conference took place between the parties, when a settlement was arrived at, the natives agreeing to pay £.iO and terminate the obstruction. No eudonce will therefore be offered on Fuday, when the case is called on. There was a counter chaige against Mr F<il lon, of assaulting a native youth named Keieama Kingi, by throwing him otF the budge, but in the altcied cucuinsUnees this will be vvithdiawn.