ACTION FOR TRESPASS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 5

ACTION FOR TRESPASS.

Our Kaikohe correspondent writes:— Messrs. Hare Matcnga and Sydney Cotton, of Te Ahuahu, owners of Rakaututahi gumfield, Omapere, sued a number of natives at the S.M. Court last week for royalties on gum and for trespass on the said block, by digging without permit. A considerable quantity of gum has been obtained from these swamps during the past season, and these diggers refused to pay the assessed fee of fis per annum per head. The three defendants, chosen as a test case, adopted a novel method of defence. They first argued that it would be convenient to have a change of venue, and this failing, they requested the case to be allowed to stand down until after lunch. This was done, but on tho reappearance of the defendants, they were so drunk that it seemed impossible to go on with the case. They evidently wanted to get locked up, so that the case would have to be adjourned. Next week one of the principal plaintifts has to go away as assessor to the Land Court at Rotorua, and this being known to the defendants, they thought that by getting drunk the action would be shelved. But they wcro soon undeceived. The plaintiffs stated their case, backed up by proofs of ownership, etc., and the defendants not being in a fit state to cross-examine the witnesses, or offer any reasonable defence, found! themselves let in for £4 18s 4d each. There aro about 30 more prosecutions to follow.