NAPIER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3425, 2 April 1879, Page 2

NAPIER.

[BPBOIAI.]

Apbill. The conspiracy case against Donnelly and Price for endeavouring to defraud Renata Kawepo, the Maori chief, by agreeing to run up the prices of the racehorses Otupai and Tarewa to fictitious values, was brought to a sudden conclusion to-day. Before half the witnesses for the defence were examined, Mr Stuart, Resident Magistrate, stated that in his opinion a case had been made out for the jury, on which Mr Cornford, the solicitor for Donnelly, said he should not go on any further with the case. Both defendants were then committed for trial at the next Supreme Court sittings at Napier. Mr Bees made application that the trial should be held in Wellington, in consequence of the Napier sittings not being held till June, and also because, in his opinion, any case between Maoris and Europeans could not get a fair trial in Napier. Mr Cornford said that was a most extraordinary dootrine for Mr Bees to lay down. Ho strongly opposed tho trial being held at Wellington in consequence of the expense to his olient. The Magia* trate took Mr Oornf ord'e view, and refused Mr Rees' application. A further conspiracy case against Mr Sutton, M.H.R., Kinross, and George Worgan, was postponed till Thursday next, April 9.

The Hyde's Burlesque Troupe is playing here to indifferent business.

A little girl was knocked down by the rail* way engine this afternoon, and received a nasty cut in the head. She was picked up quite unconscious. It is not certain whether she will recover.