HUNILY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3151, 3 September 1892, Page 2

HUNILY.

False Pretences. —On Wednesday morning, before Messrs Ralph and Tattley, J.P.s., T. M. Davis, oo remaud, appeared to auswer the charge of obtainmoney by false pieteuces by representing himself as an agent of the National Fire Insurance Company, of Auckland. Constable White prosecuted, and the accused was defended by Mr 0 Meagher. The prosecution relied mainly on a letter written by Mr Tait, manager of the Auckland branch of the company, in which he stated that Mr Davis was not known to them, and was not an authorised agent or canvasser for the company. The fact that a policy was not forthcoming, but instead the foregoing letter, led to Davis' arrest. Mr O'Meagher, in opening the defence, stated that it would be absurd to convict on the evidence of a letter not sworn to, and in the absence of the writer, who could thus not be crossexamined, Constable White reminded the court that the remand was agreed upon to enable the accused to prove that he was an agent of the company, in which case the onus of proof rested with him, and not with the prosecution to show that he was not. Ho also pointed out that the justices were not strictly bound by the law of evidence, the case being oue in which they might fairly exercise their discretionary powers, as a letter having once been received in evidence C'juld not be withdrawn. Mr O'Meagher objected, and quo'eJ authorities on criminal law to the contrary. Ho then called Mr N. Williams (who, in the absence of Mr Tait, had been subpeenad by the defence), who stated that he had heard Mr Tait give the accused verbal authority to accept risks in Remuera or in Auck'anl, bur, not in the Waikato district. The Bench stated that the evidence of this witness put things in a somewhat different light, and, after consultation, decided to dismiss the case. Death of a Mormon Teacher One of the Mormon missionaries who travel up and down the Waikato preaching to the Maoris and converting them from their evil habits, died somewhat suddenly at the Maori settlement just below here on the opposite side of the river. He had not been ailinir long, but rapidly grew worse, and died on Wednesday morning. As he was not attended by n medical man who jould certify to the cause of death an inque.'t is to be held to day. The deceased, whose name is Chepraan, was attended by a brother missionary who is naturally very much grieved and cut up at the loss of his co-adjutor. School Examination,—Mr Crowe, | Inspector, examined the children at the public school last week, with most excellent results. Of the total number presented about 93 per cent, passed, the character of the work done evidenced very caretul, and honest teaching on the part of Col. Smith and his assistants. The Weather.—We arc having plenty of rain this season, but so far, varied by intervals of warm good growing weather, and the crops are looking well no doubt, in Upper Waikato. Football.—l Tie Huntly footballers are anticipating the struggle tu-oiorrow.

against Hamilton, with considerable interest. The p.B. Freetrader will run from here conveying both the team ana the Hnntly bras 9 band, whoso presence will tend to enliven the proceedings and their music to soothe the milled of the vanquished. It is hoped the day will prove fine and if the contestants will make up their mind to play the game in a right good-humoured spirit it will certainly be worth seeing, and may the best men win.