a Resident Magistrate, still refuses to give up possession of the Horse in accordance with the late Resident Magistrate's decision given as aforesaid in favour of the Plaintiff your Petitioner. Your Petitioner prayeth that in the absence of proper authority to carry out the Law, Your Excellency will be pleased to direct that compensation be made to your Petitioner for damages sustained in the loss of the Horse together with expenses incurred in proving the identity of the same according to the Schedule hereunto annexed and your Petitioner will ever pray, etc., Dated this 21st. March 1857. John Davis Canning Napier Sheep Farmer. To:- His Excellency Thos. Gore Brown C.B. Governor in Chief New Zealand.