RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 62, 23 May 1877, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

FOXTON, "Wednesday, 16tli May, X 877. (Before Koberfc Ward, Esq., E.M. ; and Dr. Eockstrow, J. P.) Dr Hewsen v. S. Neary, — Claim £15 for rent and damages. The defendant did*not appear. Dr Hewsen- said that there 'were three-quarters^ of a year rent due: The rent of the house being £20 per annum. He had received £5. He also claimed £3 for damage done to his ' fence. After giving some, more evidence : which, clearly showed that he claimed more than he , had summoned the defendant for, at this stage, plaintiff said he would withdraw the summons and take out a frejsh onejfor another amount.' " . ' . Crowther v. Brewer,— C. laim £23 13s ' 2d- for goods supplied. The defendant did not appear. Judgment by default with 25s costs. - Tow v. Rowi, (a native) — Claim £3 2s lOd for goods. Judgment by consent for amount claimed, and 6s costs. Money promised to be paid by the 20th June. There were no criminal cases. , Before the Court' rose Constable Pur- i cell said he would like to ask the Magistrate a question , relative to • giving licenses to natives to buy powder. He said it ,was .the custom here for Justices " of- the Peace to give a lincense to natives to buy powder, and also for storekeepers here to sell the powder to the natives. He thought that it was against the Act, and he had intended laying an information against a storekeeper for Selling, powder to natives, but did not like to do so until he had spoken to the Magistrate, and as both the Justice and ihe storekeeper were m the Court he took £he present opportunity of doing so. The, Resident Magistrate said he was very glad that the Constable had asked the question m open Court,- it was one of the greatest importance to the storekeepers for if they sold powder to the' natives without a proper authority they did so at their ,peril, and were liable to a heavy, punishment. , Licenses were never granted to Maoris,- except by the Native Minister's authority; all applications made to a Resident Magistrate or the Native office were taken 'to the - Native- Minister, not even the Under Secretary granted them. He thought that m "this case there was no occasion to lay an information as storekeeper had not done the deed wilfully;