PUHIPUHI SILVER FIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 32, 8 February 1890, Page 5

PUHIPUHI SILVER FIELD.

PROSECUTION FOR TRESPASS

(BY TELEGRAPH, —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Whangarei, this day. The charges of trespass upon Puhipuhi* preferred against Messrs R. Thompson, M.H.R., W. E. Barton, and H. R. Holman, were heard before four justices to-day, Mr C- F. Buddie appeared for the prosecution, and Mr W. A. Carrubh for Holman and Barton, while Mr Thompson defender! himself. Joshua Garsed, the ranger, and John Fraser, prospector, were the only witnesses for the prosecution. Garsed, under cross-examination, admitted that he had been specially instructed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands to prosecute Messrs Thompson, Barton, and Holman, and that, having: previously reported other parties for trespassing, he had been specially instructed by tlie Crown Lands Commissioner not to prosecute these Mr Carruth urged a number of technical objections to the regulation under which the information was laid as not being in compliance with law in severa' respects. He submitted this was fatal, and rendered calling' evidence for the defence quite "unnecessary. The Bench, after consideration, adjourned the cases till the Bth March.

It is believed here that the Justices recognised the weakness of the case, and made the adjournment so as' ta^ permit of the opening of the field in the interim, rather than give a decision which might lead people to enter the forest with impunity.