SHEEP STEALING ALLEGED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3051, 12 April 1917, Page 6

SHEEP STEALING ALLEGED

A HIiTT A r ALLEY CASE. Before Mr. AV. G. Riddell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, William Southee and David John Southee were charged that at Akatarawa, on March 31, they did steal one sheep, valued at 405., tho property of AVhitenian Bros., Upper Hutt. Mr. C. W. Neilson appeared for tho accused, and Inspector Marsack prosecuted. , .«Evidence was given to the effect that three sheep belonging to AVhiteman Bros., strayed.on to a clearing near the sawmill at Akatarawa. On March 28 the AVhiteman. Bros., with a neighbour, >■ went to search for the missing sheep (one of which was black), but they could 1 find onlY one. A close search revealed the skin of a black sheep, and a bead with a bullet wound was also found. Three days later one of tho AVhiteman Bros, and Constable M'Holm went to the Akatarawa clearing, where they met the two accused, each carrying a bag strapped to the back. AVm.. Southee was also carrying a rifle. Constable M'Holm insisted on examining the bags. Tho accused declared that the bags contained hog, but the. examination showed that they contained a whole sheep, cut into quarters. The accused then said it was goat flesh. The constable formally arrested them, and while on-the way ,to the Upper Hutt Police Station the accused "bolted." A watch was kept on the house occupied by them, and an arrest was effected at 3 o'clock in the morning. iThe accused pleaded not guilty, and they were committed to the Supreme Court for trial.. Bail was- allowed William S'gutbeo in the sum of £20, and the other accused in the sum of £10.