AKAROA RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 215, 9 August 1878, Page 2

AKAROA RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thursday, August 8.

(Before E. C. Latter and H. H. Fenton, Esqs., J'siP.) FELONIOUSLY KILLING CATTLE.

James Belcher and Peter Sorensen were charged with feloniously killing a cow and calf, the property of G. R. Joblin, in Little River, with intent to steal the carcasses.

It appeared from the evidence that on Sunday, July 28, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Messrs Maurice and Norman Joblin, eons of the prosecutor, were taking a walk up the Port Levy valley, when they met the prisoners. They saw Sorensen first, and afterwards Belcher. When first seen, prisoners turned off the track as if to avoid observation. Sorensen was carrying the fore part of a calf, and Belcher the hind part and skin. Sorensen had a gun, and prisoners had one or more dogs with them. Belcher said " good day," and prisoners passed on. Their suspicions being aroused, they followed prisoners' tracks through the bush up the bank of a creek. They found a 6heep with its head off, the entrails taken out, and partly ekinned. Having marked a tree, and as it was getting dark, they returned and reported the matter to the police. On the following morning Mr Maurice Joblin returned to the spot accompanied by Constable Lamb. They found the head of the sheep before referred to, from which the ears had been removed. Following the tracks for about a mile, during which they found traces of blood, they came upon the dead body of a cow, which Mr Joblin lecognized as belonging to his father. The cow had been shot through the heart, the bullet having entered on the near side, and lodged in the skin on the off side. The throat was also cut. Going a little further, and still tracing the footsteps, they found the three legs and head of a calf newly killed. Mr Maurice Joblin had seen the cow in question about six weeks previously. Thought she then had a calf, though he.had not seen it. The cow was then running with a red heifer. He had since found the head of what he believed to be the same heifer in the bush, together with entrails and feet.

Constable Lamb also deposed to the arrest of the two prisoners. On being told the charge, Sorensen said he had come back at five o'clock on Sunday afternoon. He also said :" We shot a wild cow and fine calf up the valley, near the grass spur." The forequarters of a calf were found in Sorensen's possession, and the hindquarters and skin in Belcher's, On being arrested and told the charge, Belcher said " He will have to prove that; I never shot any cow. Dogs caught the calf." The constable compared the shank of the calf with one of the feet found in the bush, and found they fitted exactly. A gun was found in the house of each of the prisoners. Captain Aschman, who resides on the track in question, deposed to having seen the prisoners pass his place on the Sunday morning referred to. They were going up the western side of the creek. Could not swear whether they had a gun with them, or any dogs. Had not told Constable Lamb that they hsd a gun. In the afternoon had seen two men returning, who appeared to be carrying something on their backs, but was too far off to recognise them.

George Johnson, residing at Barry's Bay, stated that on Sunday, the 28th July, he had been over at Little River. Had met the prisoners coming down the track carrying a calf. Each had a half, and each was carrying a gun. In answer to his question as to where they got it, Belcher said the dog caught it, and shewed him the hind leg very much.bruised.

Mr G. R. Joblin deposed that he had been shewn the dead body of n cow. It was on his run, if not on his freehold. Had never given anyone permission to shoot cattle on his run. Had cautioned Belcher not to do so. He identified the brands on the hide produced as his.

Prisoners declined to make any statement, and were commixed to take their trial at the next session of the [Supreme Court. Bail allowed, £100 each, and two sureties of £100 in each case.

The Court then adjourned