THE case of the men accused of setting fire to logging machineries at Rennell, Renbel, has been further adjourned to November 23.
This is possibly for the court to set a new trial date after the trial fixed for November 8 was vacated.
The trial was vacated because the presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate John Numapo was not available for the trial at that time.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika, who mentioned the matter yesterday, said Mr Numapo suggested a tentative date for trial on November 23.
Public prosecutor Bradley Dalipanda however, said he will not be available as he would be engaged in another trial on that date.
All prosecution witnesses who came all the way from Renbel for the trial on November 8 had already returned home.
Mr Seuika therefore had to adjourn the matter to come before Mr Numapo to sort out the trial date.
The three accused, Tika Oea, Jimmy Tangosia, and Willie Tauika are jointly charged with one count of arson.
This is in relation to the allegation on 12 May this year at a Mangalea concession area on Rennell that stemmed from a logging row.
Prosecution alleged the trio burnt five excavators belonging to the logging giant Samlimsun following disagreements between the accused and the logging company.
Anderson Kesaka of DNS & Partners is representing all the accused.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
