RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. THIS DAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1130, 24 September 1880, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. THIS DAY.

(Before M. Price, Esq., R.M.) • THE HAPERA DISPUTE. Robert Cooper and William Rice were charged by Mr. W. L. Rees, acting for i Messrs. Coleman and Clarke, Trustees for the late Captain Read's estate, with having rescued a horae which had been taken possession of for the purpose of being impounded, the horse at the time having trespassed on land alleged to be the property, in trust, of Messra. Coleman and Clarke. Mr. Brassey appeared for the defendant Cooper, and Mr. Roes for the trustees. The defence rested altogether as to whether the defendant was in legal possession of the property from which the horse was taken. Mr. Coleman, Mr. Ward, Mr. Day, and Mr. G. Banks were.' examined. But the question resolved itself into whether Cooper had a right to graze his horse upon land which he contends was hia own at the time his horse was taken for the purpose of impounding. The witness Banks deposed to having taken possession of the Hapera in accordance with instructions he received. He saw Cooper going into the paddock, when witness told him he must not touch the horse, as it was impounded. Cooper told witness that he (witness) miist leave the place. Mr. Brasaey, for the defence, with much acumen, then went on to show that his client had grounds for believing that the property on which the horse had been impounded was in his possession. Further that every means which could be devised for busting the defendant from his property had been tried ; among these devices was the impounding of tKe defendant's horses and cattle. Other attempt* had been made to deprive Cooper of hia property by taking possession of it. The charge was a very trivial *one, and was not brought for the purpose which was made to appear on the face of it. His Worship, in reviewing the case, accompanied by its surroundings, was of opinion that the information cotdd not be sustained^ and fte Charge was dismissed. One night Bouicault fell asleep in an American; theatre. Returning to his hotel he found that some enterprising agent frad posted on his bald head a slip bearing the words fUse . Hail Columbia Hair R,esJ;ore,r,