Frank Gledtiill stated that the mare, saddle, and bridle sold for £4 Bs. Mauy people were at the sale. JjVederiok Earp stated that he bought a dark bay mare at the auction Bale, which had been since claimed by prosecutor. A stranger (not prisoner) rode the horse abont to show its,paoes, and stood by its head whilst it was sold. Prosecutor being re-called, said that when ho left for Wanganui, he did not leave permission with Barnß or Fox to ride his mare to Oeo. The prisoner then made his statement, in whioh be said that on the way to New Plymouth Barns told him at Opnnake that O'Eiley's brother had told him (Burns) to take and sell the horse at Taranaki, and what he could get above a certain price he was to keep himself. The Resident Magistrate, in addressing the counsel on both sides, said tbab the Bench were satisfied that the case was strong enongh to justify them in committing the accused for trial, bat that they were undecided as to whether or not they sbonld convict tho prisoner snmmarily under the 83rd clause of the " Justices of the Peace, Act, 1866." He, therefore, requested the counsel to argue the question of the guilt or iu nooeuoe of the prisoner on the testimony pro duced. Mr. Hughes, in his speeoh, contended that the Court had jurisdiction to dispose of the matter I summarily, but that there was no case whatever against his olient. Mr. Standish, ie reply, said the Court had no jurisdiction to convict th.c prisoner on the merits. The 83rd section was not intended to compre hend oases of horse stealing and the like. He then went ou to demonstrate at some length that the guilt of the prisoner was beyond a doubt. The Magistrates retired for about twenty minutes ; on their return the Resident Magis trate said that he would dispose first of the question of jurisdiction. That question was one of some doubt, certainly, but the Bench felt that having regard .to the exigencies of the public service, they ought to give the doubt in favour of the exercise of the jurisdiction. There were, moreover, several strong arguments to show that the course the Bench proposed to take was oon sisteut with the intention of the Justices of the Peace Act. 