EAST CCAST CIRCUIT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13602, 6 February 1915, Page 6

EAST CCAST CIRCUIT.

Mi- R. S. Floraiice, S.M., who has just completed his initial circuit sitting on the <CoaHt, together with the members of the legal profession, have returned to town.

When the Court opened at Tolaga Bay a>. list of 38 civil cases was presented, and before these Mere proceeded with, Mr J. It. Kirk, on behalf of the members of the Bar, took the opportunity to extend a welcome to Mr Florance on the occasion of his first sitting at Tolaga Bay. He expressed the nope that tbe visit of Mr Floranco to the Coast would always be of a happy nature. In addition to Mr Kirk, the members of the Bar included Messrs H. K. Bright, A. T. Coleman, H. Hei, and J. -Graham;

Mr Florance, in replying, thanked the members of tlio Bar for their welcome, and in the course of his remarks outlined certain matters of practice that he desired adopted. At Waipiro Bay there were 33 civil cases, and in a list of about 22 criminal charges there were several of special interest. Changes were preferred against Chino Koogan and ten others under the Gaining Act. Koogan was charged with being the occupier of a common gaming house, and the others Mere charged with being, found on the premises,- contrary <to law. Sub-Inspec-tor Johnston conducted the prosecution, whilst Messrs J. R. Kirk and H. Bright represented the defendants. Tho cvidenco of the police established that on a certain night they visited the premises, and 'found tho men engaged playing draw poker. They took possession of the cards and money, and secured the name* of those present. Counsel submitted that the charge must be dismissed against Koogan on the ground that more tnan one single act oi yarning was necessary to constitute the offence charged, and that if the case against Koogan failed, then the other cases must fail also. — His Worship reserved hin decision ,

Murdock McKenzie, the licensee of the Tuparoa hotel, was charged with supplying liquor to a native. Sub-Inspec-ior johnafcon prosecuted, and Messrs Kirk and Meaa ippeired for the defence. The facts were that Mr Clark, the manager for Mr Ludbrook. sent a written order by Mr Ludbrook's carrier for bottled Ueer. The carrier happened to 'bo a native, 'i he beer was carried out in full view of the police. and duly* reached its destination, unopened. Mir Ludbrook, in the course of Ms evidence, said- tho carrier was one of the most trustworthy men in his employ. The police relied upon a case in the Supreme Court at Wellington in 1907, where Mr Justice Cooper held that under similar circumstances the person was guilty. Counsel for the defendant' urged that it had not boon proved that the bottles contained beer. — His Worship held that he was bound by the case cited, and in convicting defendant, imposed a line of £10 and costs, remarking that the fine was J. less than that imposed in the case cited. /

Alex. Agnew (Mr H. Bright) was charged / with driving an unlicensed motor cttr, and a nominal fine was imposed. No less than 93 civil cases were presented at Port Awanui, mostly for the recovery of debts for goods supplied. On the criminal side tho most important case was one in which Alexander Gallan was charged with supplying liquor to a Maori ; Constable Duddy conducted the prosecution, whilst Mr Kirk defended. After hearing the evidence of the police, the barman, and two Maori witnesses, counsel asked for a dismissal on the ground of insufficient evidence, and his Worship dismissed the charge. * A similar offence was preferred against Harold Oliver (Mr Kirk) . who was charged with supplying eight bottles of whisky to a Maori. The case lasted until 10.30 p.m., and the Magistrate held tho oflence proved, and imposed a fine of £50 and costs, in default two months' imprisonment in Gisborne gaol. Two native youths were charged with carnal knowledge of Maori girls tinder the age of 10 years. One of them, Wn-tene Huraparu, pleaded, guilty, .and was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence, whilst the other accused, Pa Pati, pleaded ifot guilty on two, cnarges, and was committed to the Supreme Court afc Gisborno for trial. The ]ist also included cases of assault, breach of the peace, and drunkenness, and concluded on Tuesday afternoon.