R. M. COURT, GISBORNE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 60, 7 February 1884, Page 2

R. M. COURT, GISBORNE.

(Before J. Booth, Esq., R.M.) YESTERDAY. Receiving stolen property. Rewi Te Rangitere was again brought up charged on the information of the police with receiving stolen property. Mr. Rees appeared to defend the accused. Simon Kennedy gave evidence that he was at Makaraka on a Saturday last month with the accused. He could not say whether it was the sth or not. He was playing cards with accused and others. He heard accused offer a pendant for sale. The greenstone produced was what he offered. He (accused) did not offer it to anyone in particular, and he wanted £1 for it. Witness saw the prisoner some time after this, and he said he was going to Arthur’s. In the morning he said he was running away to Waiapu. He did not see him go away. Tomati Kokowi, Thomas Porter; and Tuahu were also called and gave corroborative evidence. This completed the case for the prosecution. Mr. Rees said he hud not cross-examined the witnesses, because no evidence had been tendered to cross-examine them on. The case as represented was utterly insufficient for a conviction, On looking up the authorities he found it impossible for this man to be convicted on this charge of receiving stolen property, when another man hr.d already been convicted for the very same offence. Seeing that that was so, he submitted that the Bench could not legally convict the accused* No evidence had been given as to the theft, or as to receiving the property knowing it to be stolen, His Worship agreed with Mr. Rees that the evidence was insufficient. He therefore dismissed the information. The Court then adjourned.