WHANGAREI R.M. COURT. [Present: H. R. Aubury, Esq., R.M.; Sir Osborne Gibbes, Bart., Sir R. Douglas, Bart., and R. Reyburn, Esq., J.P.s]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4401, 22 September 1871, Page 3

WHANGAREI R.M. COURT. [Present: H. R. Aubury, Esq., R.M.; Sir Osborne Gibbes, Bart., Sir R. Douglas, Bart., and R. Reyburn, Esq., J.P.s]

Breach of the Arms Act. — Walter George Pratt, watchmaker, was brought up on remand charged with having, on or about the 12th of May, 1871, sold to certain members of the native race a double-barrelled gun, a quantity of shot, and a box containing about 250 percussion caps. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Inspector Thomson, of the Armed Constabulary, Auckland, conducted the case on behalf of the Crown. Mr. Dent was sworn in as interpreter to the Court ; and Mr. Mainwaring,from Auckland, was also sworn in as interpreter to vratch for Inspector Thomson the interpretations given of the native testimony. — Detective P. OBrien was the first witness called. He \ deposed to having investigated the rumour as to previous dealings with natives, in arms and ammunition, which led to prisoner being arrested, He produced the gun, the bag of shot, and a box containing percussion caps — which he found in the possession of Peneamene and Rewi, who informed witness they purchased them from prisoner. He also produced a double barrelled gun without locks, one rifle (maker— Tippett, London), three double-barrelled guns without stocks, one single-barrelled gun, two stocks for double-barrelled guns, four gun-locks, three portions of gun - locks, two large-sized " pepper-box" revolvers, and two powder flasks, which he — in company with Special Constable Hammond — found on prisoner's premises when they were searched. He also related the remarks made by prisoner when arrested, to the effect that he was a "done" man. — Special Constable Hammond gave corroborative evidence. — Peneamene deposed that he had purchased the gun stated, and that he had called at the shop of prisoner on the 10th of April, 1871, and arranged about the purchase. On that occasion he was alone. On the 17th of the same month he called again and paid the prisoner £4 for the gun, which he was to receive on the 12th May. On this occasion also he was alone. On the day appointed ho again called at the shop of prisoner in company with Pera, another native, when ho received delivery of the gun, which prisoner wrapt up in witness's coat, and put into a kit, and cautioned him to beware of being seen with it by white men. — In reply to a question by Mr. Koyburn, \vitnes3 said that he expected to receive money for giving evidence in this case ; alluding to the promise made by Detective OBrien, that his expenses would be paid for attending the Magistrate's Court, and the Supreme Court if prisoner were committed. — The next witness examined was Pora, who deposed that he had been pi esent at the delivery of the e« n by the pii&oiier. His evideuce agreed with that of the former witness On being asked if he expected to receive any money for giving evidence in this case, he replied that he did not know, and that he came because he waa asked to do so by Rewi, another witness in the case. --Rewi deposed that lie had contributed two sovereigns towards the purchase of the gun, which was a partnership affair between himself and Peneamene. He said that they lived in the same whare ; and that his partner had gone to Whangarei from his home on the 12th May empty-handed, and had returned in the evening with a double-barrel gun packed in a kit, — Kcwi also gave evidence in tha case. Each of the native witnesses in this case was sworn to tell the truth, and they all declared they knew the value of an oath, and knew the Bible to be the word of God. — The prisoner, on being cautioned in the usual manner after j the evidence was read over to him, made a statement to the effect that he had been lost | in the bush about the 3rd March last, and I was rescued by the natives. He did not know how to reward them for their kindness, aud supplied them afterwards with ammuniI tion and shot-pouches. He first gave them 41b. powder and Gib. shot. He made that statement, because he had heard that it had been said he had been dealing largely in it, which he denied. — Tho Court wag cleared while the magistrates consulted together, ' and, after some time, the Court was ajrain opened, and the prisoner fully committed to take his trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court.— Several of the magis trates addressed the prisoner, and reminded him that they had often cautioned him of his danger.— The same prisoner was then further charged with having, on or about the 24th of May, 1871, fold to Haki (a chief) and Aterea (a native) 21b. of gunpowder, 101b. of shot, two boxes of percussion caps, and a flask containing a quantity of gunpowder, — Detective OBrien deposed to having obtained from the witness Haki a small bag of shot, a box containing a quantity of percussion caps, a tin canister containing some gunpowder, and a flask containing a quantity of gunpowder. (Articles produced.) Haki had told witness that he and Aterea. went to prisoner's place on the 24th May, and got the Articles named, &nd that Haki p*id two sovereigns, aud Aterea an equal sum. From Aterea he obtained a small bag of shot, a box contain- j ing percussion caps, and a. canister contain- ! ing gunpowder. (Articles produced.) Tha two natives named gave corroborative evidence, and identified the articles produced. — The prisoner 'made no defence, when he was committed on this charge also.— The Bench decided to admit the prisoner to bail on both the charges, himself in a bond of £200, and two sureties in £100 each in each of, the cases. — The necessary security wa3 found, and the prisoner liberated.

W« must not hope to be mowers, And to gather the ripe gold ears, Until we have first been sowart, And water'd the furrows with tews. It is not just as we take it — This mystical world of ours : Life's field -will yield, as we nuke it, A' harrest of thorns or flowers 1