POLICE COURT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XVI, Issue 2391, 18 February 1889, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1389,

(Before Theirs "Worships J. Bodell, Mayor, and G. Jordan, J.P.) Rueka Pinpi, - v Hakipene Hura, Takitabi and Hari Hari. This was an information for stealing a child. Bench decided not to go on yjth the case in the absence qt : thq E.M., as tte question of native custom might be raised. The case was accordingly adjourned till to-day, at 11 a.m., when Mr Bush was expected to be present.

MONDAY, 18th.

Borough Council yS. Mar tip. %n* formation under Section No. 1 of the By-laws, for driving for hire without a license. Mr Moss for \he Horo^gh, Accused pleaded guil^yj and was nominally fined }s, witE fs (jd cogU, and 10s 6d eqlicitor-i fee, 4b ty» paid in 14 days, or 48 hours in Tauranga gaol. Borough Council v Vm. Crimmins. Mr Moss for Borough. Same charge, Mr Musgrare pled guilty for Crimmina, T|je Bamo $ne an 4 coats were imposed afld paid. Borough Council t GL Musgrave. Mr Moss for Borough. Same charge. Defendant pled guilty. Fined Is, j 6d cps|;s XQs Qd solicitors fee, | to be paid in 14 days Qr 4^ QQ^rs i^ Jauyanga gaol. Rueka Piripi v Hakipene Hura, Takitahi and Hari Hari for stealiog, at Judea, on 11th iost., a female child named Ngakeke, the daughter of the iniprHiant. Tbp defaqdants we^e Thames natives, and had in Court with them 40 other Thames* natives who, they stated, were their witnesses. Messrs Galbraith and Jdoss appeayed fpj the prpsec^tioq.- Jh^ c^ was adjourned for a week in order that tfie fi.M- wigat hear it, This second adjournment caused great excitement amongst the cloud of witnesses. Hakipene wished the case sent to the Thames. Hori Ngatai wished the same a 8 the burden of lodging and feeding al| these Thames natives had been put oh bis shoulders. Counsel suggested that the dispute should be settled by handing over the child to the mother. This was explained to accused, and also that they ran the risjf of a very heary punishment if the case wero proved against them. They, however, remained obdurate aud would not give up the child. Outside the courthouse, after the Court was over, the two factions of Tauranga <Hifl Tbamea natives bad a great scolding matc^in which tbe wo« Id-be ipotbeps particularly distinguished