MISSING LIVE STOCK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 289, 2 September 1919, Page 6

MISSING LIVE STOCK

' CLAIM AGAINST AN ESTATE MANAGER POLICE INVESTIGATION SUGGESTED

Br Telegraph—Prees Association. Christchurch, September 1. Mr. Justice Herdinaii suggested a polico Investigation of certain circumstances in i case which caino before him at ( tho Supreme Court to-day. The original claim, entered by the Inchbonme Estate Company, Ltd, (Mr, A. F. Wright) against Joseph gliomas Searle (who uw not appear and was not represented), was for .£4893 3s. 2d, It was alleged that de'fehdaht, through faulty management and losing or failing to account for stock and wool, caused the plaintiff company to 6uil'er the loss mentioned in the claim. Tho Inohbonnio Estate is in Westland. Mr. Wright stated that tho defendant had been told that he could appear at the hearing of the case, even though no defence hod been filed, in order to speak in mitigation of -judgment, but the defendant had mitten stating that he would not be present, even if the plain.tilf got judgment. Further, he did not know how judgment oould be satisfied. Mr. Wright continued that he wished i to withdraw (a), (b), (c), and (d) of the claims with regard to the shortage of wool 'and negligent carrying on of the , farm's business in respect of which losj had been occasioned. Plaintiff's claim, 'would 'be confined to dlause (e), in which it was stated that between August, 191G, and January, 1919, defendant had been employed as manager of the estate, and had the fullest discretion in carrying on the farm. It was alleged that during this period he negligently lost or failed to account for 291 cattle and 99£ sheep, valued at .£2780 7b. "Wo do not know, what has happened," said Mr. Wright, "whether this man Ims allowed the sheep to ba 'lost, and covered up his delinquencies by sending in false returns—tho roan has doliberatoly sent in false returns— or whether he allowed tho_ sheep to be •'stolen or has stolen them himself." - Tudor Wllloughby Hungerford, manager of the plaintiff company, gave evidence regarding a muster of stock on the farm , which he made, and which showed the disorepanoies set out in the statement of olaim. He stated that when asked what had become of a large number of sheep the defendant stated that tfiwr were "in the bush." Witness was strtwftad they were not Jolm Joseph Heasley, manager of the Load Department of Dalgety and Co., Xjhiistchuroh, said that in 1917 ho and ■Deans went over to Inohbonnie to get a muster. They met the defendant at Ar- : thkr , s Pass, and he seemed very anxious . they should not go on. They succeeded in getting a partial muster, but the defendant sail the rest of the stock were ■ .'in the bnah." Ho used the phrase go biten that it became the subject of comment between witness and Deans.

' Thie if a most extraordinary thing-," Bald His Honour, after bearing a further statement by Mr. Wright. "It seems .as il other proceedings ought to We been taken. "We are prepared to give tire authorities alt the assistance wo can," replied Mr, Wright, 'Trot we are not -prepared to tro on with proceedings for theft." His Honouri It is a matter which the poiice authorities should investigate. ' Judgment was given for the eimount o{ the olaim (.£2786 75.), rith costs on the highest scale, witnesses' expenses, and "tJWbiireements.