SUPREME COURT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5434, 26 March 1889, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

[BEFORE IIIS HONOR MR JUSTICE RICHMOND.] INDKCE-T ASSAULT. His Honor made a lengchy and caivful summing up, ;uul Tht; jury, after a retirement «>f fifteen minutes, lirought in ". verdict of "Guilt}' of

an attempt. His Honor sentem :<l the prisoner to three yaws' penal servitude. HORSK-STKALIXG AND FORCJEKY Hami Tarahawts arraigned on indictments of horse-st; :iling and forgery of Llie name of Keihatu. He pleaded guilty. Mr Kenny uesired to address His Honor on behalf of the prisoner, and sentence; was deferred till to-morrow morning. MURDKIi. Haira te Peri was put into the dock, and the first indictment preferred against him was that he feloniously, wilfully, and unlawfully did murder Frank Pook on December sth Mr Gully with Mr Nolan appeared for the Crown, and Mr Kenny with Air Watson lor the defence. The following jury was sworn : — W. Morgan (foreman), J. R. Cook, F. J. Oatridge, James Campbell, M. Jennings, G. A. Farmer, M. Todd, K. P. Bmirke, J. McKenzie, J. Longley, R. Turnbull, J. Tutchen. E. J. Beresford, C. Petoraen, and Adam Knox were challenged by the defence. Mr G lly made an eloquent opening address, lasting over an hour and a quarter. He detailed the evidence that would be called to show >ir Pook's movements and ihe time the murder must have occurred ; the discovery of the bodies, footprints, marks, etc.; Haira 's movements, demeanor; absence and otherwise of money ; discovery of blood-stained clothing, knife, and boots ; statements and mis-statements of the prisoner ; and other incidents of an incriminating nature. Mr Teesdole, surveyor, produced plans of the country round about ataahu, and a ground-plan of Pook's residence. Edward Swanu, brother of Mrs Pook, gave evidence similar to that ii/-the K. •'. Court, of his going to Pook's house at Mataahu and discovering the injured child, and then with Mr Hamilton, schoolmaster, discovering the bodies of r and Mrs Pook. Alfred Hamilton, schoolmaster, gave cor* roborative evidence. Mr Willis, J. P., manager of Waipiro station, deposed to being called in by the schoolmaster, and described the position of the bodies and the bloody footsteps. .Sergeant Villers gave corroborative evidence, as to- the discovery of the bodies, footprints, etc. Dv Pollen gave medical evidence as to the wounds on the bodies. He stated he examined the discs of blood on a piece of board; a boot with n peculiar-marked sole, and a sheath knife. No one could tell whether blood was human or not, but they could tell whether the discs wet c those of fish, bird, or mammal blood. Th;- blood on the articles was mammajl blood. Co'istable Gerrard, Native Constable, stationed at Awantii, stated that on the Friday evening after the murder he went to Haira's whare and questioned the prisoner, who said that on Wednesday (day of the murdor) he left >knaku (Waipiro side of Mataahu) at 3 o'clock on that day. He said he went by the inland track past Pakeka, and arrived at Kcporua at G o'clock. This, witness told him, was a remarkably fast trip. He said that on Tuesday he had lost all his money at gambling and had bought from Mrs Pook a coat. Witness asked to see the coat, and tookjrom a box in the whare a shirt [bloodstained]. Asked" how the blood came on the shirt and if he wore it Wednesday evening. He replied "Yes," and witness asked where the blood came from. He said it was through marking a calf at Pakeka, where he stopped on the journey, which only occupied three hours. Witness said there was no house or fence at Pakeka, but tuta and fern In the box was also a waistcoat [bloodstained]. Asked him how the blood could also get on the waistcoast, and was told through marking the calf. Took the coat out and asked him if it were the one bought at Pook's. There was blood on the coat, and prisoner said it was also through the marking of the calf. The trousers were then taken out, and they were clean. Then asked him if he had all those clothes on him when he le r t Aku Aku. He replied "Yes." [Ihe trousers are not soiled, as though never worn.] V\ itness said it was strange that trousers woe not also blood-stained, and he said he had another pair on outside them. [Evidence proceeding.]