THE COURTS

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 March 1901, Page 2

THE COURTS

(Per Press Association.)

HOKITIKA, Ttfarch 4.

The Westland Supreme Court opened! here to-day before Judge Denniston, Hi» Honor in his charge to the grand jury,. saiv. that although their was heavier calendar than usual, but the cases were not of a serious nature. ■.. '? , i .

A. A. Bourke for forgery, was sentenced to six months hard labour. :

Walter J. Irving and Robert Power, for robbery, with ■violence, of a Chinaman,, pleaded not guilty. , •:. The jury returned a verdict of guilty,Irving being sentenced to four months and Power to two months.

AUCKLAND, March 4.

At the Supreme Court, before His Honor the Chief. Justice, a Maori man named Rawiriri Teua, was charged with murder,, in that he did*.on, or about December 27th,----at Miranda kill and slay one Hihi Kiwi (his wife). Prisoner- pleaded not guilty.

Mr Tote, Crown Solicitor, said the pris* oner was charged with the murder of hi* wife. They "were riding on horseback returning to their homes when it is alleged! the woman was attacked by her husband, and so beaten that she died.

A Maori boy who was out looking for sheep would give evidence ■to ithe effect, that lie saw the man knock, the woman about and dash, her head1 on the stones of the beach. Very serious wounds were observed on the woman's head and body when she was discovered. • She was brought back to the store in an unconscious condition, and died early next morning. The woman was buried but the body was exhumed, and it was found that' a wound at the back of the ear had1 sustained by the woman would have been sufficient to cause her death. The case is proceeding;