TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 280, 24 November 1903, Page 2

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

SENTENCES

Charles O'Gara came up for sentence on a charge of stealing three tins of salmon from a wharf at Auckland, and was sent to prison for a year. There was one previous conviction against him for breaking and entering, for which he had been released on probation. Samuel White, on a charge of forging and uttering a cheque for £(5 5/ at Avondale, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. His Honor pointed out that the accused had already been thirteen times convicted for drunkenness, and twelve or more times for larceny. A FiGHT FOR A PIG. John Grace pleaded not guPty to a charge of assaulting and wounding a Maori youth named Wini Kerei at Pirongia in August last.' Accused was defended by Mr. J. C. Martin. From the evidence of Kerei it appeared that he caught a wild pig, and while engagrei in skinning and dressing it the accused and another pakeha came up. Accused claimed the pig, and as the youth disputed the claim accused felled him with a blow which smashed his jaw and stupefied him. The accused carried off the pig, and th- Maori youth spent three weeks in the Waikato Hospital while his jaw was mending. The explanation given by the accused was that he found the Maori's dogs worrying two of his pigs near his homestead, and later on came across the Maori with a pig already dead and skinned. He stooped to pick up the pig, and the Maori grabbed him round the neck. A struggle ensued, and, fearing that the Maori would use a knife, accused knocked him down. He had recently lost several pigs. Further evidence was given on both sides. The jury found the accused not guilty, and he was discharged. (Proceeding.)