Wednesday, 17th November. (Befoie Mr T. A. Mansford, 11. M.) Assaii.t. — William Brown, a railway labourer, was charged with having, on the 15th iust., assaulted a Chinaman named Ah Moy, at Woolley's Store, Purakanui. A second charge against the prisoner taxed him with having stolen 5s from the Chinaman. Prisoner pleaded Not Guilty to both charges. Mr Joyce appeared for the prosecutor.—-An interpreter having teen sworn in, Ah Moy was sworn by blowiug out a lighted match, and deposed that, on the afternoon of the day in question, he went to the store to buy some things. The prisoner was there. Witness put some money —a five shilling piece—on the counter, and then some one] lulled his tail and turned - his head round. It was the prisoner. When witness recovered himself, he perceived that the five - shilling piece was not on the counter — some one had taken it. He ac cused prisoner of the theft, and then the prisoner pulled him down and kicked him. By defendant: Witness thought de fendant was playing with him at first, biit when the money disappeared he altered his mind. David Mamerou, a Maori, gave im material evidence. The second charge was then gone into—the Chinaman recapitulating his evidence. When he taxed prisoner with the theft, prisoner pulled two half-crowns and a shilling out of his pocket, and said that was all the money there. David, the Maori, de posed to being at the store on the afternoon in question, and saw prisoner come out of the store and put his hand to his head. As he did so a crown piece fell from under his hat to the ground. Prisoner picked it up and put in his pocket. Witness then walked away, but he afterwards heard that prisoner had stolen the money. Thomas Morris, who was recognised by the prosecutor as having been in the store at the time, deposed to being a seaman, but was working on the railway. He was in the store on the afternoon of the 15th. and con versed with the prisoner. They had some beer together. Prisoner came ir to change a note. The Chinaman came in, and whilst witness and prisoner were talking he heard the China man talking about having lost some money. 