SUPREME COURT.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

SECOND CHARGE AGAINST CRAY-

THORNE.

ACCUSED ACQUITTED

In tho Supremo Court yesterday the hoarinc of the charge against fell. Craythorne, of the alleged theft of six sheep belonging -to W. A. Parnham, was resumed. Mr P. S. K. Macassey, of Wellington, appeared for the Crown, and Mr S. G. Raymond, X.C, with him Mr W. J. Iftmter, for the accußiid.

_ James Arthur Fairweather, farmer at Bioomfield; gave evidence relating' to tho sale of sheep to accused (Craytiiornu;.

T. G. Liilico. veterinary surgeon, declared that the ears ot tho sheep bore unmistakable signs of tar operations having been performed on them.

Arthur C- Selby stated that uutil January ho was shepherd for Panihatn, am) had bceit, shepherd for Vaughan before the Sale to Parnhacn. . The earmark was what was known, as a long "i ore-bit." The mark was made with a pair or nippers made purposely for the work, beforo the sale to I'arnhara, Vaughan had bought in Apr?!, 1912, i'roro ilartnell a mixed line of hoggets, some of which had an earmark of two punch boles. John llobort Turner, p-vebaser of Craythorne's property, gave <>vjdenct» ■ elating to the muster on October 3rd. Witness had had a conversation with accused regarding one of the sheep claimed by l'arnham. Accused said he Jid uot dispute the one the two punch holes and a "fore-bit,** because Varnham had others with tho same earmark. Ho (accused) said it might have jjot through ond been shorn by mm. It. had his brand on it. Tho fix sheep produced in Court had boon soid by Crovthorue to witness when he took (:««s<?ssion on August. Ist.. 1913. lie (Vtne-s) had branded no sheep between that Sato and tho muster on October yrd. -, David Boyco. theop-iarmor. BroomReid related a' conversation with ac.•used concerning the shoeo upon which accused was found "jruilty" last week. Thomas Retallick, sheepfarmer. w aipar.V. declared' as an expert with -3 years' experience, that two or the sheep had symptoms of beinj: re-car-rnarked ThVr* wero traces or an Old "fore-bit." which had been shaped into a "fore-quarter."' In another case, it seemed as if two punch hole* had Wn merged into one. He would .not like to say that any- of the Ather sheep hod been subject to alteration. James K. Maxwell, sheepfarmer, Aranerloy. nls." an expert, said that on one sheen there were indications of two punch holes, which had been cut into one by a nieco being taken out. Two yheep* had" a "for«wji!nrter* r on oath car. "and on one ear there was a portion of a fcn4>it 'till v'sibie. Tt was not usual f«r sheepfarmers to destroy old earmarks when putting on new Oslß>. To Mr Raymond, witness declared that no casos of such alteration had ever com* , ! u»dor his notice.

Wm. J. Bowmtin. vendor of thft protjety to Craytborne, cave evidence thnf lie bad not transferred lik «armork to necusc-d. He had not sold the shorn produced in Court to Cravthorno. One of the sbefn, he said in crossoxami'iation to Mr Rarmond. mijint Jiave b»fn sold by him to Craythorno as a lanb. but it now boro a punch hole carpark i»t addition to his own.

John recalled, pnt in Parnh.am's "fore-bit." and the earmark of \J«yifo*(> f<y «*owT»arat've T>urrci««»'v ' Detective Regan stated that he was

present at tho muster ou QctcW <Wi when Paroham claimed theXep.