POLICE COURT.—Monday

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3569, 23 March 1880, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—Monday

More Harry R.EHBICZ, Esq., R,M.

Lahoent.—-Peno Te Maipai, a young native, was charged with having stolen a vest from a house at Parawai. the property of James Hughes, of the value of £I,—He pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor deposed that he was in. the employ of a.'-.Chinaman, at Parawai. On Saturday evening he saw ;the accusod. lie washidingin the garden when he saw the prisoner come up to the 1 house, open the door, and walk in. Wit-' 'ness ran up and dragged the Maori outside. A 'bus-driver gave information to the police, and accused was conveyed to' the lock up by Constable Stapleton. He was present wh'en thd Maori was searched. A vest belonging to witness was found on •him. He.missed it on the 17th inst. When he last saw it it was hanging behind the door in witness's room. He never authorised the native to take it. The vest was worth £1 —Constable Stapleton save evidenoo as to the arrest. When asked where ho had got the article, prisoner said the Chinaman had sold it to him for £1 —James Kay, who was sworn by blowing out a match, deposed that he lived at' Parawai, aud was a gardener. Hughes was his mate. - On St. Patrick's day his mate went to Ohinemuri; and witness tothe Parawai races. He locked the front door and bolted the back. He returned at half-past 4. The house was then all right. At 7 o'clock he went into town, and on returning at 11 o'clock the back door was open. He missed 3a 10d next never sold the waistcoat He did riot'sec prisoner on the day of the races, antlask him 25s for the vest. On one occasion ho missed half-a-pouud of tobacco, on auother some matches, piemcllons, and onions, aud on anothor some water-mellons, aud moro tobacco. -~ Prisoner made a statement to the effect that the Chinaman offered him the vest lor £1 ss. He demurred to the price, aud ultimately the Chinaman gave him it foy a pound. On Saturday he went to buy some candles from .Hughes, aa he was his partner in the dance, and whilst looking for Hughes ho went into the houso, Hughes eame in after him, and struck him several blows on the face.— His Worship said he did not believe prisonfir's statement, lie'would hold him guilty, aud senleuco him to six mouth imprisoumsut btth hard labour,