Gaisford v. Hapuka.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5305, 23 August 1888, Page 3

Gaisford v. Hapuka.

After we went to press yesterday afternoon Watene, Hapuka was examined at some length. He deposed ho knew Mr Simons, and saw him on the 24th July last. Simons showed him tho letter from the solicitor iustruo.tinsr him (Watene'j to impound tho cattle. Pinions said he would ace mipany tho natives for that purpose, and he authorised Simons to attend to tho matter for him. Received money from Mr Gaisford for the lease for last year, but had not received anything for the. present year. Would swear the money ho got from Mr Gaisford was for the last year. Had frequently spoken to Mr Gaisford regarding the new lease of the property, and told him that he (Wntene) would not lease the land again unless Mr Gaisford gave a very largo rent. To Mr Cornford : He did not know that the money was to be paid in advance. He acted in this matter on instructions from his lawyer. Simons whs acting for him. This concluded the evidence in this case, and the R.M. said he would reserve judgment. At a quarter past five o'clock it was discussed whether tho other case should be proceeded with, in which Watone Hapuka, was charged on the information of Henry Gaisford, with illegally impounding certain sheep on the 25th July. It. was decided to hear the second charge at half past ten on the following day.

THIS .DAI".

The case of illegally impounding sheep against Watene, Hupnka was heard to-day.

Mr Corufo.id said tho evidence in this case would be similar in many respects to that given before 1.1 is "Worship jvsterdny, but important evidence would be nailed for the prosecution with regard to the action of impounding tho sheep. Henry Gaisford deposed on the 25th of July last sheep were impounded, having been taken from the blocks in question. Had an intimation before the. sheep worn impounded that such a. thing was going to be done, inn', he instructed his stockman to £i> mid watch from which blocks the sheep were removed. Saw Mr Logan regarding the matter, and from instructions received, went to Wuipsiwa and redeemed the sheep. Paid £11 lO.s for redeeming the 7">o sheep that had been impounded by the natives.

William Cook, deposed lie knew the blocks Tapuiru and Whafarakai, from which sheep were removed by .seven or eight natives iv July last. Sitw the natives taking' the sheep, which were impounded in the Wnipawu pound.

Samuel Robinson, farmer, r"sidiii£j at Waipawa, deposed he recognised tho plan produced which showed the boundaries of the blocks in question. Remembered on the ■J.'ith of July last sheep being driven off these blocks. Saw lour natives mu>terinjr the sheep, which they drove off the block. Saw no sheep on the block after the natives had left, and thought they had made " a clean .sweep.'"

John Dick deposed he was in the employ of the last witness, and knew the native reserves near Mr Robinson's house. Mr Gaisford had the occupation of the land. Remembered seeing sheep on those lands on (ho li'ith July last. The sheep were mustered, and were taken from the direction of the bush. There were several natives who were mustering the sheep.

Charles Robert Cox deposed he knew the native reserves which were occupied by Mr (iaisford. Saw Mr Gaisford's sheep being driven off the block hv several natives.

Charles Vaughan deposed he was head shepherd in the employ of Mr Russell. Knew tlie native reserves. Sheep were impounded on the 2">th July last, but. did not see who did it. On the'-.M:h July about 7"iO sheep were scattered over the three blocks. About noon of the -J.Mh heard that the sheep had been driven oil the land and impounded, and went and got tho sheep out of the pound. There were no sheep left on the blocks.

To Mr Lee: Would be certain there were about 7">o sheep he got out the

pound. To Mr Corn ford : Hud instructions with regard to attending to tin; sheep in getting them out of the pound.

This dosed ihe evidence for the proven

Mr Lee said this case diiiered r-onwwlmt fiom the other. With regard to the Whalarakai block as far us Watene was concerned in the matter instructions were given to remove the sheep from this block only, and if the sheep were removed from the. other blocks it -.vas without, Wuteuo's knowledge.

Waten« Hapuku, one of the grantees of the VTh.itur.ikai block, knew some sheep of Mr Russell's wei-f; taken from the Whatarakai block on the 2-">th July. Told another native U> take the .•hcop'frotn ih.it land. Told him to take no sheep from tho other lands.

To Mr Corn ford : The native whom lie instructed to tvmow the .she'p knew the boundary line ; sill hut a small portion.

This concluded the ea-e, and the KM said lie would reserve judgment.