THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 285, 3 December 1890, Page 5

THIS DAY.

The Huntly Pomp Case.—Daniel Weir, John Alfred Leece, and John Powell Bailey, surrendered to their bail, and were charged with malicious injury tc a punt ab Hunfely, the property of the Taupiri Coal Company, on tho 22nd September. — Mr E. Hesketh appeared with Mr H. Williamson tor the prosecution. Mr Cotter appeared on behalf of Weir and Builey, and Mr Theo. Cooper for Leece. The Crown Prosecutor intimated that no evidence would be offered against Bailey, and when tho jury waa empannelled he wa< discharged by direction of the judge. —Mr Williameon then opened the .case, detailing tho evidence to be given at some length, and then called William Tapley, manager of the Company, Henry Porter, engine-driver, and James Mcintosh, watchman tor the Company, all of whom wero examined at length.— Robert Robson, miner, also gave evidence, after which Constable Kavanagh was called. Hβ deposed that on the night of the 22nd of .September last, he and Constablo Murray wero told off to look after the machinery and pumps of the Taupiri Extended Coal Company. Neither he nor fche previous witnesses «aw the pump tampered with, bub thought persone might havo been hidden by some scrub.—Arthur Latn'ey deposed that he went on duty firing «b 7.45 on the morning of the 23rd. Between 9 and 10 a.m. he tried to work the pump by means of the lever, but it would not work. There was a great escape of steam. Ho informed the engine driver, and then examined the pump, and found that tho cover of the steam chest was loose in consequence of five nuts having been removed.—Thomas Carelis?, carpenter, deposed that he fixed the tange pump in position. Hβ inspected the pump on tho afternoon of the 22nd of September, and found it all right. He next saw the pump between 11 and 12 next morning, and found that five nuts haci beer, taken off the steam chest, making the pump unworkable. A man with h spanner could remove five oute in five minutes.

(Left sitting).