POLICE COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2558, 1 December 1888, Page 2

POLICE COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

TirrKSDAY.—(Hefore Messrs Mandeno and Rutherford, J.P.'s). BItKACH 01' THIS POLWK OfFBXOES ACT.— James Kennedy was charged, on the information of Constable Jones, with a breach of this Act by neglecting to keep n lisht burning or a fence erected on a cutting on the Te Awamntu-Kihikihi road (fur which he had a contract) between amiset and sunrise on the L'lst November, by which a narrow esc.ip» from what might have ho«n a very serious nuuident occurred.—Defendant pleaded guilty, and stated that he had boen contracting for several years, and had never had a light burning on any of his works, and that he had been ignorant of the law in that respect; furthermore, he had made a misculculation as to the time the moon rose on that evening, or he would have had the cutting fenced. As there was room on the road on each sido of the cutting for ordinary traffic, and the fact of the nights being moonlight he did not think there would have been any danger.—The Court said that as the defendant had been for years contracting, and had not had lights burning on his works, it was evident he was, as ho had stated, unaware of the law, and , as it was his first offence they would dismiss the case with a caution, but he and other contractors must take this as n warning, for if such an offence were committed again they would inflict a punishment.

Stbaung a Watch.—Ahipu, a native, was charged on the information' of Constable Jones with having on the 20th November stolen from one Henry Feron a Waterbury watch, of the value of 15s. Accused pleaded not guilty. Complainant deposed to the native having taken his watch out of his hand cm the 26th, and refusing to return it when asked to do so. Witness—who was evidently a, hostile witness for the prosecution — said that ho thought accused only took the watch "in fun," and did not mean to keep it. W. Bond gave evidence as to accused denying; having the watch and subsequently giving it up when told by his (accused's) father to do so on the arrival of the police. Feron told witness a native had his watch and he immediately sent for Constable Jones who was on duty in Kihikihi. Feron was under the influence "f drink, but knew perfectly well what he was doing. Constable Jones gave evidence as to being called, and the accused giving up the watch after he came on the scene. For the defence Tukorelm (accused's father) and another native named Koluka deposed to the complainant giving accused with whom he had been working for Mr Rochfort the watch to take care of. Accused, on oath, deposed that Feron gave him the watch to take care of lest he got drunk and lost it, telling him at the same time not to give it to anyone. For that reason he refused to givo the watch to Mr Bond and denied having possession of it, other natives advised him to give it up lest he got into trouble with the police, he then gave it up. Evidence was given as to previous good character, and as there was a doubt owing to the conflicting nature of the evidence the Court decided to give accused the benelit of it, and dismissed the case.