Going to Law.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 226, 24 November 1888, Page 3

Going to Law.

A peculiar case was heard at the R.M. Court on Thursday, when D. Courtney sued W. Currie, of Ormond, Poundkeeper, for £ll 3< Bd, costs incurred in a previous case. It will be remembered that the plaintiff summoned a native named Matenga some time ago. for damages, supposed to have been caused by the native’s bull on his property, and which had been impounded by Courtney. But the case was dismissed owing to the bull belonging to another Maori named Ihipera, although plaintiff alleged Currie had stated the bull belonged to Matenga, and it was on that ground the information was laid.

Mr Brassey appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Chrisp for the defendant. D. Courtney remembered the 19th October when he impounded a bull in the Ormond Pound. (Junie received the bull from him and he signed the book. Saw defendant again on the 22nd and asked who had released the bull, and he (defendant) replied saying a native named Matenga had. He had no doubt whatever that Currie said Matenga, and on he gave the native a bill for the damage done. He subsequently took proceedings against Matenga but found that he had summonsed the wrong man. Was aware of the fact before the case came into Court. Currie told him that Matenga was not the owner of the bull, that was after the summons had been served, By Mr Chrisp : Currie had shown him the pound book, but he oould not make out the signature. W. Currie deposed that he was the pound keeper at Ormond. He remembered the day Courtney impounded the bull, which was received by W. Hogan, and was told in the yard that the bull belonged to Matenga and informed the plaintiff to that effect. Matenga Tihuka deposed to receiving a bill from Courtney before he was summonsed. He told the plaintiff that the bull was owned by Ihipera, and Courtney understood what had been said as he had conversations with him (Courtney) previously. He distinctly told Courtney that ha was not the owner of the bull. Mr Booth was satisfied that Currie did not intend to wilfully mislead Courtney, and he Would great a nonsuit with costs £1 17s.