GAOL FOR MAORI

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 98, 8 December 1939, Page 5

GAOL FOR MAORI

SLAUGHTER OF SHEEP

OFFENCE ADMITTED

Mr A. Coleman, S.M., was on the Bench in the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday when Jerry *Hirini, farm labourer, aged 28, was charged with killing a ewe sheep, valued at £1, the property of A. J. Hastie of Matata. with intent to steal the carcase and a second count of attempting to commit the theft of a lamb, valued at 30s, the property of A. J. Hastie. Accused pleaded guilty to both charges. Constable F. M. Fuller, prosecuting, said that Hirini was sharcmilking on a farm in the Hikmvai area. The complainant, Mr Hastie, owns a large farm in the same district. Mr Hastic's property is fairly rough and covers about 1400 acres. On Monday, December 4th, complainant heard a shot at the rear of his farm. He proceeded to where the shot had come from and saw a horse tied up to a fence. He took charge of the horse and called the police. Investigations led to the arrest of the accused and he had admitted his guilt. Asked by the Magistrate if he had anything to say, Hirini replied that he was very .sorry for what he h!ad done and he was prepared to pay for the damage caused. He added that he was a married man with three children. "You have been before the Court before. You know the consequences to your wife and family. You should think of them. It is all very well to say you are sorry and offer to pay the damages but these are serious charges. My duty is to protect the community. On the second charge you are convicted and sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment, and on the first you are convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. The sentences to be concurrent," said the Magistrate.