AN ECCENTRIC HORSE THIEF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4738, 11 December 1886, Page 2

AN ECCENTRIC HORSE THIEF

« Henare Kuhukino, charged at Napier on two indictments with horse stealing, made a very peculiar defence. He was convinced that something his wife had done had led him to take the horses, and he thought that if he could address the Court on the laws relating to women he could show this. This opportunity being denied him, he wished his Honor to hear what God's law said on the subject. His Honor considered the jury would not be affected by that, and advised prisoner to devote himself to proving, if possible, that he was not guilty. Prisoner was of opinion that God made Solomon in order that Solomon might make the temple, and that charges might be heard in the temple and decided by Solomon. His Honor again advised prisoner to address the jury with something revelant to the charge, but he then subsided into silence. The evidence taken seemed to show that prisoner was a much shrewder man when not in custody than his peculiar statements to the Court would make him out to be, i and that his devotion to Solomonand God's i law did not influence him in the direction ; of leaving to the owners of horaea the un- < disturbed possession of their property. i The prisoner was found guilty upon both i indictments. j In reply to the usual question prisoner t stated that his wife had mis-behaved herself at the prosecutor's settlement, and j that he took the horses as utu. \ His Honor said that he would sentence a the prisoner, and if there yere any truth r in his story about his wife he could peti- a tiou the Governor. v The prisoner said that he would petition h God. j, His Honor had no objection to prisoner c doifi^ that, but suggested a petition to the y Governor's the most suitable course. h Prisoner : What is the name of ihis fc Court ? Is it to be found in any document t! published V p His Honor : Yes, and it is called the p Supreme Court of New Zealand. tl Prisoner : Then I shall object to the o decision, and petition the Governor on the a law of God. fi His Honor sentenced prisoner %o two o years' hard labor on each oharge, the sen- h tences to run concurrently. E Prisoner expressed the opinion that he r< had received a very severe sentence, and " said that ho would inform God of tho yi matter, and see if Solomon did not Luild n si liuusi? for tho trial of causes before God. He should cause the Governor to know. _ b( A curious excjian^e has been proposed £| by t!:a London 'An logical Society to the *j South Australian Government to whom q ;hri Pociety offers two lions in exchange jj ; r or tho log hut exhibited at tho recent pi jxhibition, E