BROKEN PROMISE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 219, 21 September 1901, Page 3

BROKEN PROMISE.

RAISING FUNDS FOB ROTOBUA CELEBRATIONS.

At the sitting of the Tolago Bay Magistrate’s Court, held on Thursday last byMr W. A. Barton, S.M., a claim was brought by W. D. MoDonald against a Native named Bawhiti Pnrata to recover the sum of £l4, value of three head of cattle which the defendant had sold the plaintiff’in June last, and had since failed to deliver, together with expenses incurred by the plaintiff in connection with the same.

The informant stated that on or about June 6th the defendant came to his office at Tokoinaru and represented that he was in urgent need of money to take him to Rotorua to see the Duke and Duchess ot Cornwall. lie sold plaintiff three bullocks at £'3 each, and promised to deliver them on his return from Rotorua, three weeks later. On llawhiti’s return he saw the plaintiff, and mado several promises with regard to the cattle but they were not fulfilled. Finally the defendant fixed a day upon which Mr McDonald was to send a man to a certain place to meet the cattle, and assist in driving them to Tokomaru. Plaintiff had himself gone on the date fixed to the place mentioned by the defendant, which was somo twenty miles distant from Tokoinaru, but could see nothing of defendant or the cattle. Further evidence for the plaintiff showed that Mr McDonald had sent his brother upon another occasion, with tho same result. After the case had been before the Court for upwards of threo hours the parties arrived at a settlement, the defendant agreeing to refund tho money which had been given him by plaintiff, and also pay costs to the amount of £3.

Messrs L. Rees and G. Lysnat- were the counsel engaged in the case.